Despite a very improved performance, Vipers suffered their third defeat in the CAF Champions League, losing 1-0 to Simba at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar ss Salaam.

Clatous Chama scored the only goal of the game at the stroke of halftime after going past Livingston Mulondo before slotting past Alfred Mudekereza.

The hosts created several scoring chances and could have won by a bigger margin but Mudekereza was outstanding in goal for the Venoms.

Vipers battled hard and put up an improved performance in the second half with Yunus Sentamu finding the back of the net just after restart but was cancelled for offside.

Abubakar Lawal who came as a substitute had a good opportunity to find a late equaliser but the Nigerian’s backheel was weak and easily collected by Simba goalkeeper Aisha Manula.

Overall, it was a better show from the Venoms but their wait for a goal continues as it has now stretched to eight games in a row without scoring.

The defeat leaves Vipers bottom of the table with just a point from four games. The remaining two games are against Raja Casablanca at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende (18th March) and a trip to Ethiopia to take on Horoya (31st March).

Starting XIs

Simba – Aishi Manala. (GK), Pape Sakho, Shomari Kapombe, Sadio Kanoute, Mohamed Hussein, Joash Onyango, Clatous Chama, Yassin Mzamiru, Moses Phiri, Henock Baka, Saidi Ntibazonkiza

Vipers – Alfred Mudekereza. (GK), Livingston Mulondo, Siraje Sentamu, Ibrahim Orit, Yunus Sentamu, Hilary Mukundane, Ashraf Mandela, Lumala Abdu, Isa Mubiru, Olivier Osomba, Karim Watambala

Uganda’s vastly experienced security and safety guru Dixon Adol “Bond” Okello will be on duty at the Benina Martyrs stadium in Benghazi city, Libya in the month of March 2023.

Okello, a FIFA and CAF-trained stadium security professional personnel has been appointed for two upcoming continental engagements.

The first game is between Libya’s Al Akhder and FC Saint Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 8th March 2023 in CAF Confederation Cup.

The second game will come 9 days later between Sudan’s Al Merrikh and E.S.T of Tunisia on 17th March 2023 in the CAF Champions League.

In both games, Okello will serve as the security officer while another Ugandan, Ali Mwebe will be on duty as the general match coordinator.

Al Akhder (Libya) Vs FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (Democratic Republic of Congo):

Patrick Jean Philippe Tanguy from Cote D’Ivoire will be the centre referee, other Cote D’Ivoire referees Prosper Adiouman Koabenan and Medar Ettien Eba Wenceslas will be the first and second assistants respectively.

Richard Modeste Kokora Hugues (Cote D’Ivoire) will be the fourth official. Tunisia’s Amine Mougou is the commissioner whilst Lemghaifry Bouchaab (Mauritania) is the referee assessor.

Michael Emiru Belay (Ethiopia) will serve as the general coordinator and Okello as the head of security operations.

Al Merrikh (Sudan) Vs E.S.T (Tunisia):

Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius) will handle the contest as the centre referee.

He will work with comrades Ram Babajee (assistant referee 1), Jean-Marc Jeff Pithia (assistant referee 2) and Ganesh Chutooree (fourth official), all from Mauritius.

Francis Oliele (Kenya) is the commissioner, Gamal Mahmoud Gandour (Egypt) is the referee assessor and South Sudan’s Victor Lawrence Lual Lual is the general coordinator.

Once again, Okello of the “Team no Fitina” fame will man the security operations for this match.

Fufa Beach Soccer League title contenders MUBS and St. Lawrence University have picked up their rhythm as displayed during the weekend action at Mutoola Resort Beach in Mukono.

The two sides registered statement wins on Sunday.

St. Lawrence maintained their perfect start to the season in games against Grace Church and Kiringente to accumulate 15 points and move to the top of the table after five matches.

In their first game of the day, defending champions beat Grace Church 7-4. Brian Nkuubi and Baker Lukooya netted hattricks with Sulaiman Ochero getting the other goal.

An own goal from Joshua Lubwama got Grace Church up and running. Roger Ayiko, Steven Kitumba and Babu Mulani got the other goals for the church-sponsored team.

In their second game, St. Lawrence came from down to beat Kiringente 4-1. Marvin Mugerwaopened the scoring before goals from Joshua Lubwama (2), Jonathan Kikonyogo and Baker Lukooya gave St.Lawrence all three points.

Meanwhile, MUBS made their loss to Mutoola a distant memory after winning three games in raw. They defeated Wolves and Grace Church to move to fourth place on the table with nine points.

Munir Saidi dazzled with a hat trick, Douglas Muganga and Swaibu Kakwaya were also on target before the side benefited from Farouk Kawuma’s own goal. Albert Olwenyi got the consolation for the Wolves.

In the game against Grace Church, Swaibu Kakwaya and Maxwell Okello scored a hat trick and a brace respectively, Douglas Muganga and Munir Saidi grabbed a goal each as MUBS won 7-2.

Moses Muganda and Owen Ben were on target for Grace Church.

The league return to Fufa Technical Center in the next matchday on Sunday.

Results| Sunday, 5th March

• MUBS 6-1 Wolves
• Grace Church 4-7 St. Lawrence
• MS Sand Lions 3-0 Wolves
• Kiringente BSC 1- 4 St. Lawrence
• MUBS 7-2 Grace Church

Fixtures | Sunday,12th March (Fufa Technical Center)

• Buganda Royal Vs MUBS
• KJT Vs MS Sand Lions
• Grace Church Vs Jinja Lions
• Wolves Vs St. Lawrence
• Mutoola BSC Vs Buganda Royal
• Kiringente Vs MUBS

Sports Club Villa beat perennial rivals Express Football 2-1 in an eventful Kampala Derby played at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.

Forward Allan Kayiwa gave the Red Eagles a good start with a well-taken freekick, but Villa responded to level matters through David Owori just before halftime.

After the intermission, SC Villa’s goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige was sent off for shoving Express striker Marvin Oshaba.

Despite being a man down, it was SC Villa that celebrate last as Sheif Batte bundled in what turned out to be the game-winner from close range after a telling cross from Owori.

The Jogoos held on until the final whistle as Express were made to rue missed chances throughout the game, and the loss stretches the club’s winless run in the league to 10 games.

SC Villa thus completed a league double over Express having beaten the side 2-0 in the first round thanks to goals from Charles Bbaale and Ivan Sserubiri.

The Jogoos climb to second place on the table with 31 points, four below leaders KCCA FC who have played a game less.

Next Up

Express will host Paidha Black Angels on Wednesday, 15th March in Uganda Cup before visiting Gaddafi four days later in the league.

SC Villa, on the other hand, will take on BUL on 11th March in the Uganda Cup before visiting Busoga United on 31st March in the league.

Starting XIs

Express – Denis Otim (GK), Andrew Kaggwa, Arthur Kiggundu, Denis Otim, Enock Ssebagala, Isma Kawawulo, Hussein Ssenoga, Boban Zirintusa, Marvin Oshaba, Faisal Ssekyanzi, Allan Kayiwa

SC Villa – Meddie Kibirige (GK), Fred Gift, Joseph Kafumbe, Kenneth Ssemakula, Sheif Batte, David Owori, Charles Bbale, Tabu Oryem, Hassan Musana, Edward Masembe, Reagan Kiwanuka

Resurging URA Football Club handed BUL their first home loss of the season after a 1-0 defeat in a game played at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

Ibrahim Dada scored in the 86th minute as the Tax Collectors picked their third consecutive win of the second round.

However, it was youngster Sunday Andabati who did the donkey work after running BUL’s defence down on the counterattack before his effort was spilt by the goalkeeper Saidi Keni into Dada’s way to score in an unguarded net.

The result was a hard pill to swallow after BUL dominated the game throughout and missed several chances.

“I think we were unlucky. We created many chances, especially in the first half but we didn’t score. They had only one chance on goal and they used it. We did everything we were supposed to do,” said BUL coach Alex Isabirye.

Defeat leaves BUL in second with 29 points and remains six points behind leaders KCCA FC while the win takes the Tax Collectors to seventh with 23 points.

Starting XIs

BUL: Saidi Keni, Emmanuel Obua, Walter Ochora, Ibrahim Kazindula, Richard Ayiko, Douglas Muganga, Richard Wandyaka, Jerome Kirya, Sam Kayongo Ssekamatte, Hillary Onek, Ibra Nsimbe

URA: Nafian Alionzi, James Begisa, Eric Ssenjobe, Najib Feisali, Patrick Mbowa, Joshua Lubwama, Nicholas Kabonge, Saidi Kyeyune, Alfred Leku, Joseph Ssemujju, Derrick Ndahiro

Uganda’s hope of qualifying for the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup agonizingly came to an end on Thursday after falling to Nigeria.

In the AFCON U20 Quarterfinal game played at Suez Canal Stadium, Nigerian earned a hard-fought 1-0 win, an own goal by Uganda’s left back Ibrahim Juma.

Coach Jackson Mayanja made changes to the team that had faced South Sudan in the final group game.

Juma, Isma Mugulusi, Ivan Irinimbabazi and John Paul Dembe who were all rested on Sunday returned to the starting XI.

Uganda started the better side, troubling the Nigerians but could not find an early goal.

At the start of the second half, coach Mayanja made two changes bringing on Umar Lutalo and Saidi Mayanja for Titus Ssematimba and Mutyaba respectively.

Mayanja came close twice while Dembe too had an effort at goal but could not find the target.

Victory for Nigeria means they qualify for the World Cup alongside Senegal who earlier defeated Benin.

The other two slots will be completed on Friday with The Gambia taking on South Sudan while Congo will face Tunisia.

Uganda’s starting XI

Abdu Magada (GK), Apollo Kagogwe, Ibrahim Juma, Rogers Torach, Ronald Madoi, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Isma Mugulusi, Titus Ssematimba, John Paul Dembe, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mugisha

Sam Ssimbwa’s charges Kitara secured a hard-fought win over Lugazi on Thursday.

Kitara had drawn three FUFA Big League games in a row prior to Thursday’s victory at home against Lugazi.

David Kaisaija scored the lone goal to guide Kitara to victory and also help them move to the joint top.

Victory took Kitara to 37 points same as NEC who drew at Mbarara City and Police that walloped Calvary on the same day.

Ssimbwa indicated he is not under any pressure and promised better performance in the next games.

“Every game in the second round will be tough but we must keep improving as a team. The fans will demand results that are natural, but personally, I’m focused on doing my job.” He said.

In the other games played, Northern Gateway defeated Adjumani in the relegation clash, Booma won 1-0 at Soroti and Jinja North overcame Luweero United.

Elsewhere, Kaaro Karungi earned a 2-1 win over Kyetume FC.

Uganda Hippos take on Nigeria tonight in the Quarterfinals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

At stake is not only a place in the semifinals but also a ticket to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year.

The Hippos had done enough to qualify for the World Cup during the previous U20 AFCON when they reached the finals but the tournament was cancelled due to Covid-19.

The match-up against Nigeria hands the Hippos another opportunity to make history and Hippos’ head coach Jackson Mayanja wants to be part of the history.

“We want to write history in Ugandan football,” Mayanja said during the pre-game presser.

“We’re very prepared as a team and this is the most important time for my team to make sure we achieve our goal and all the players are in good condition they’re very fine.

“I have always said it and I will say it again here, what I want to achieve with this team is to qualify for the World Cup,” he added.

Hippos beat the Central African Republic and played to back-to-back draws with Congo and South Sudan to finish top of the group to set up a clash with the record winners who have seven titles.

“I don’t need to know so much about Nigeria even if you go out and look around every player but football is about what you think in the tactical part of it so we’re trying to put ourselves in a very good tactical position.

“Nigeria is a good team. It’s going to be a very hard game but as I said, the achievement we need is to make the world cup, that’s what we want to achieve.

“I don’t want to talk about Nigeria. The game is to be played on the pitch on Thursday [Today].”

Winger Rogers Mugisha, forward John Dembe Paul as well as the experienced and creative trio of captain Isma Mugulusi, Titus Ssematimba and Travis Mutyaba will have to lead the Hippos.

Fixtures | Thursday, March 2

• Senegal Vs Benin – 5:oo pm
• Uganda Vs Nigeria – 8:00 pm

Uganda Hippos coach Jackson Mayanja has urged his charges to make their dream of World Cup qualification a reality.

Uganda, runners-up in 2021 in Mauritania, face record winners of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Nigeria in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Mayanja feels it is the most important stage and the team is prepared to go all the way. “We’re very prepared as a team,” Mayanja told journalists.

“This is the most important time for my team to make sure we achieve our goal and all the players are in good condition they’re very fine.”

“I have always said it and I will say it again here. What I want to achieve with this team is to qualify for the World Cup.”

The Hippos progressed from Group B thanks to their opening-day victory over the Central African Republic and draws against Congo and South Sudan.

Only a draw of lots after Uganda tied with Congo decided the fate of the group leader who would face Nigeria who finished second in Group A.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are the tournament’s record winners but are returning to this stage of the competition after failing to make the last edition in Mauritania.

Former Crested Cranes defender Jean Sseninde has launched a new football club; Jean Sseninde United Sports Club.

This was revealed by the founder Sseninde, a former Crested Cranes defender who also plied her trade in England with London sides Queen Park Rangers and Crystal Palace in a statement on her website as well as social media pages.

“We have decided to start the JEAN SSENINDE UNITED SPORTS CLUB. This club for now will be based around the Munyonyo community serving nearby areas as well as participating in the lowest tier of Ugandan football in Makindye Division 5, to begin, with ambitions to transition into a Semi-professional Team with time..,” read the statement in parts.

“We are recruiting talent we believe has been neglected, or those with dreams & potential to succeed at the highest level with few opportunities.

“Just like any new team at the start of a journey, we have a lot of lessons to learn and unlearn, and a lot of growth to do, and amidst all this, we are asking you to join us and be a part of our journey as a parent, journalist, medic and support us as a fan, you are welcome to our community.”

Sseninde believes millions of children in the country have the potential to become stars but perhaps don’t get enough support.

“Millions of our talented Ugandan little girls & boys (The future generation) have the potential to achieve even more but have been let down by poverty, little support from some parents, little limelight in the media, poor infrastructure and eradication of football fields in various villages and more!

“We don’t want any talented girl or boy to ever miss out on becoming a superstar due to various situations out of their control.”