Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic and his captain Emmanuel Okwi voted Lionel Messi for the FIFA Best Player of the year award.

Messi and his coach Lionel Scaloni claimed the coveted World Cup last year in Qatar their exploits earned them the favours.

The pompous crowning ceremony of 2022 The Best FIFA Football Awards was held in Paris, France on Monday 27th, February.

Messi collected 52 points to finish ahead of French stars Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema. Micho chose Messi and Benzema alongside Senegal captain Sadio Mane while Okwi picked Messi, Mbappe and Mane.

Emmanuel Okwi (Uganda Cranes Captain)

Men’s Player of the year – Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Sadio Mané

Men’s coach of the year –Walid Regragui, Carlo Ancelotti ,Lionel Scaloni

Men’s goalkeeper of the year – Yassine Bounou, Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic (Uganda Cranes Coach)

Men’s Player of the year – Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané

Men’s coach of the year –Carlo Ancelotti, Lionel Scaloni, Walid Regragui

Men’s goalkeeper of the year – Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois, Yassine Bounou

Stephen Mayamba (Media)

Men’s Player of the year – Lionel Messi, Sadio Mané, Karim Benzema

Men’s coach of the year – Walid Regragui, Lionel Scaloni, Carlo Ancelotti

Men’s goalkeeper of the year – Thibaut Courtois, Yassine Bounou, Emiliano Martínez

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 winners:

The Best FIFA Women’s Player: Alexia Putellas (Spain/FC Barcelona Femení)

The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain FC)

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England/Manchester United WFC)

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez (Argentina/Aston Villa FC)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (England Women’s National Team)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina Men’s National Team)

The FIFA Puskás Award: Marcin Oleksy (Poland/Warta Poznań)

The FIFA Fair Play Award: Luka Lochoshvili (Georgia/Wolfsberger AC/U.S. Cremonese)

The FIFA Fan Award: Argentinian Fans

Spanish club CD Leganes Cantera y Escuela has announced the acquisition of two other Ugandan footballers; Abdul-Aziz Kayondo and Allan Enyou.

Left-back Kayondo has been featuring at Real Monarchs in the United States of America (USA) since 2022 when he transferred from Uganda’s Vipers Sports Club.

At Real Monarchs, Kayondo who is capped 12 times for the Uganda national senior team (Cranes) has made 15 appearances with a goal to his name.

He joins the club christened as “Los pepineros El Lega” alongside KCCA former academy player Enyou.

A big thank you to Real Monarchs for the love, support, mentorship, and lessons undertook throughout my time in Utah. Wishing the best to the amazing group of people I had chance to work with, am super excited for the new journey at CD Leganes Cantera y Escuela.

Abdul-Aziz Kayondo, left back

The duo (Kayondo and Enyou) join another Ugandan young left back Ibrahim Juma who currently features for CD Leganes B.

Juma made his debut at the club on a low tone, falling 1-4 to Real Madrid Junior Team.

CD Leganes Cantera y Escuela is based in Leganes, a community of Madrid in Spain, featuring in the Segunda division (second tier of the Spanish league system).

Round of 16 Full Draw

• KCCA FC vs Mbarara City FC
• Wakiso Giants FC vs Vipers SC
• Police FC vs Ndejje University FC
• Express FC vs Paidha Black Angels
• Calvary FC vs Kitara FC
• Adjumani FC vs Bunyaruguru FC
• Onduparaka FC vs BUL FC/ SC Villa
• Soltilo Bright Stars FC vs Kiyinda Boys

Vipers SC and Wakiso Giants FC will face off for the third time this season after the pair were drawn together in the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 16.

The aforementioned teams have already faced off twice in the Uganda Premier League with both engagements ending in stalemates.

Wakiso Giants will host the Round of 16 ties at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium.

The Round of 16 draw function was held on Tuesday at FUFA House, Mengo with former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Sadiq Wassa gracing the occasion.

FUFA Competitions Director Hajjat Aisha Nalule indicated the date for the game between SC Villa and BUL that will be replayed shall be communicated.

“We received a decision from the FUFA Judicial bodies about the game between BUL FC and SC Villa and a date on when the game will be played shall be communicated soon.”

In the other draws conducted KCCA FC will host Mbarara City FC while Soltilo Bright Stars will take on Kiyinda Boys.

In the other fixtures Police FC take on Ndejje University, Express FC will host Paidha Black Angels, Adjumani TC FC face Bunyaruguru and Calvary FC will be at home to Kitara FC.

The winner between BUL FC and SC Villa will visit Onduparaka FC.

The round of 16 fixtures will be played between the 11th -17th of March 2023. Every team at this stage is assured of a cash prize of UGX 3M.

Edward Kizza was at the heart of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s success as he scored an early goal to had the side an advantage over Pitt in a preseason challenge at Highmark Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Ugandan found the back of the net just 11 minutes into the game by making a central run and touching home a short cross from the left side.

Midfielder Robbie Mertz tapped in the go-ahead goal in the second half before Pitt’s rising senior Filip Mirkovic delivered a wonder goal which levelled the match in the 45th minute.

For the Hounds, it was their second preseason win in five matches (2-0-2, plus the first match vs Columbus score was not officially posted).

It was Kizza’s first goal of the preseason with one week remaining in their preseason, which will end with a final tune-up against Louisville City FC in a rematch of the 2022 USL Championship Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Sunday Result

• URA 1-0 Express

Nicholas Kabonge’s second-half goal earned URA a 1-0 win over visitors Express at Nakisunga to extend the Red Eagles’ winless streak to nine games.

The former SC Villa forward found the winner in the 66^th minute by tapping home easily after substitute Sunday Andabati set him up as he got at the end of Saidi Kyeyune’s cross.

The hosts should have increased their lead but Hassan Kalega and Joseph Ssemujju missed crucial chances while at the other end, Allan Kayiwa shot just wide with the last kick of the game.

URA held on for all points that lift them to 9^th with 20 points as Express whose last taste of three points was in November in a forfeited game against Busoga United dropped to 11^th position with 18 points, just six above the drop zone.

URA’s next league assignment is a trip to BUL on March 4 while the following day, Express will host arch-rivals SC Villa at the Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.

URA Football Club extended Express Football Club’s winless run in the league to nine games following a 1-0 victory at Nakisunga Ssaza Ground.

Nicholas Kabonge was on target in the second half for the only goal of the game as URA picked their fourth win of the season and second victory from as many games in the second round having beaten Onduparaka 2-0 in Arua.

It was a well-constructed goal that involved Saidi Kyeyune and Sande Andabati who set up Kabonge to poke into an empty net in the 66th minute.

Isma Kawawulo nearly secured a point for the Red Eagles as he rattled the woodwork. Substitute Joseph Akandwanaho who replaced Marvin Oshaba came close twice.

The result leaves Express winless in the last nine league games, and have only scored twice in the last seven games. They drop to 11^th position with 18 points, just six above the red zone.

On the other hand, the win lifts URA to 9^th with 20 points.

Next Up

URA FC visits BUL on 4th March at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru while Express will host eternal rivals SC Villa the following day.

Starting XIs

URA: Alionzi Nafian, James Begisa, Eric Ssenjobe, Patrick Mbowa, Hudu Mulikyi, Joshua Lubwama, Nicholas Kabonge, Saidi Kyeyune, Alfred Leku, Viane Ssekajugo, Derrick Ndahiro

Express: Denis Otim, Andrew Kaggwa, Isa Lumu, Isma Kawawulo, Arthur Kiggundu, Boban Zirintusa, Musoke, Faisal Ssekyanzi, Hussein Ssenoga, Marvin Oshaba, Allan Kayiwa

Uganda Hippos will face Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Hippos completed their group games on Sunday with a goalless draw against Cecafa rivals South Sudan.

Going into the game, the side had already booked a place in the knockout but the group position was undecided. Congo also drew goalless with the Central African Republic in the other Group B game, to finish level on five points with Uganda.

Despite both teams finishing the group with similar statistics, Hippos would finish top.

The position pits them against Group A runners-up Nigeria for the quarterfinal that will be played on 3rd March at Cairo International Stadium.

The Flying Eagles (Nigeria U20) are the AFCON U20 record winners having won the title a record seven times in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

A win against Nigeria will send Uganda to the semifinals of the tournament and the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia in May/June 2023.

KCCA Football Club opened a six-point lead at the top of the Uganda Premier League table after beating Arua Hill in a five-goal thriller at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.

A brace from Muhammad Shaban and a goal from Rogers Mato gave the Kasasiro a 3-2 win.

Isaac Ogwang and Innocent Media were on target for Arua Hill.

Shaban headed home Mato’s cross six minutes into the game and doubled his tally and the lead for his side seven minutes later when he dispossessed Ivan Okello and slotted past Richard Anyama.

Ogwang cut the deficit for Arua Hill who dominated the game in the first half.

Mato restored the two-goal advantage for KCCA at the hour mark before Arua Hill got their second through Media who headed in Gadaffi Wahab’s free-kick to give the game a tense finish.

The hosts soaked all the pressure and held on maximum points.

Victory takes KCCA’s points tally to 35 points, six clear of second-placed BUL who drew with UPDF FC at Bombo on Tuesday. Arua Hill remained 6^th with 23 points from 15 games.

Starting XIs

KCCA: Derrick Ochan, Mustafa Mujuzi, Geoffrey Wasswa, Filbert Obenchan, Brian Majwega, Moses Waiswa, Emmanuel Wasswa, Allan Okello, Simon Kankonde, Shaban Muhammad, Rogers Mato

Arua Hill: Richard Anyama, Richard Matovu, Bright Vuni, Isaac Okello, Geriga Atendele, Gibson Adinho, Gaddafi Gadinho, Gaddafi Wahab, Rashid Kawawa, Isaac Ogwang, Innocent Media

SC Villa overcame 10-man Onduparaka 2-1 in the Uganda Premier League game played at Akii-bua Memorial stadium in Lira on Friday.

Hassan Musana and Charles Bbaale were on target for the Joogos while Rashid Okocha converted the consolation from the spot for the Caterpillars.

Onduparaka finished the game a player less after Mandela Aziz Malish was given marching orders.

Musana netted from a powerful freekick at the stroke of halftime.

After the break, Onduparaka restored parity with Okocha netting from 12 yards following a foul on Dominic Abonga by goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige.

However, five minutes later  Bbaale restored Villa’s lead after Morris Luggya failed to deal with Fred Agandu’s cross.

With two minutes to the end of regulation time, Mandela was sent off for a second bookable offence on David Owori.

The win moves SC Villa to 4th with 28 points from 16 games while Onduparaka remain bottom with 7 points after another blow in their quest to avoid relegation as they are yet to win away from home.

Next Up

SC Villa will return to action on Saturday, 5th March against Express at Wankulukuku Stadium while Onduparaka will host Gadaffi FC on Friday, 4th March.

Team LineUps

SC Villa XI: Meddie Kibirige (GK), Oryem Tabu, Hassan Musana, Gift Fred, Kenneth Ssemakula, David Owori, Edward Masembe, Rogers Kiwanuka, Seif Batte, Bbaale Charles, Kafumbe Joseph.

Substitutes: Martin Elungat (GK), Hamza Mulambuzi, Aslam Ssemakula, Fred Agandu, Oyirwoth Goffin, Pistis Barenge, Abdul Bironse.

Onduparaka XI: Angufindru Norman (GK), Adriko Gasper, Okocha Rashid, Yakin Rashid, Luggya Morris, Gama Williams, Mandela Malish, Ojara Dennis, Ivan Ssekazza, Abonga Dominic, Bida Ezra.

Substittutes: Okello Mathias, Hood Kakooza, John Rogers, Odong Stephen, Oloro Nathan, Boy Fazilinho, Tony Odur, Jarieko James.

Uganda Hippos settled for a 2-2 draw with Congo in their Group B encounter at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday night at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

The draw left both sides with work to do in their respective final group games in order to advance to the quarterfinals.

Jackson Mayanja, the man in charge of Hippos, made only one change to the team from Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic but saw his charges fluff several chances in the end-to-end game.

John Paul Dembe missed a glorious chance to put the Hippos ahead early in the game after he was played through by skipper Isma Mugulusi and the side fell behind two minutes later when Josna Loulendo powered in his header off Prince Soussou’s corner.

Uganda pulled level six minutes later with Wakiso Giants forward Titus Ssematimba benefiting from Christophe Wamba’s goalkeeping error as he dropped Rogers Mugisha’s low free-kick in Ssematimba’s path.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Ugandans completed a turnaround as Saidi Mayanja put Hippos in the lead that they took into the halftime break.

Uganda also got a numerical advantage after Congo captain Claude Ngongara was given marching orders for violent dissent as the teams returned to the locker room for the halftime break.

Jackson Mayanja’s side did not take advantage of the numerical advantage in the second half and Congo kept on taking the game to Hippos.

The brave Congolese eventually grabbed their equaliser in the 72nd minute with unmarked Arnauvy Mombouli heading in the leveller.

Not even the introduction of Travis Mutyaba and Issa Bugembe changed the tide of the game for Uganda.

Hippos are now on four points and can qualify for the quarterfinals if they can avoid defeat against neighbours South Sudan on Sunday in their last group game. It should be noted that the Hippos beat South Sudan in the regional qualifiers final.