Scottish League Cup Quarter Final

Motherwell vs Celtic | 20:15 EAT

Motherwell seeks to reach the last four of the Scottish League Cup for the first time since 2017-18 on Wednesday when they will host reigning holders Celtic at Fir Park.

The hosts head into this fixture on the back of a narrow defeat to Rangers, while Celtic have positive momentum following a convincing victory over Hibernian last weekend.

Jake Carroll remains out for the Steelmen with a knee injury while Stephen O’Donnell and Bevis Mugabi have been tipped to start the match.

Mugabi came in as a substitute in the 58th minute in the defeat to Rangers and might become a mainstay since Ricki Lamie whom he replaced is not expected to feature due to sustaining an impact on his ribs.

Celtic have won five of the last six Scottish League Cups and head into the tie full of confidence of advancing closer to another piece of silverware.

Motherwell’s possible starting lineup:
Kelly; McGinn, Solholm Johansen, Mugabi, Penney; Slattery, Goss; Morris, Tierney, McKinstry; Van Veen

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Ralston, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; Mooy, O’Riley, Hatate; Forrest, Haksabanovic, Giakoumakis

Buganda Masaza Cup 2022 (Football):

Semi-final return leg results:

• Busiro 1-0 Ssingo

*Busiro advanced 4-3 on aggregate

• Bulemeezi 2-1 Buddu

*Buddu advanced on the away goal rule after a 2-all draw

Defending champions Buddu and Busiro will face off in the 2022 Buganda Masaza football cup final on a date that will be confirmed by His Majesty the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

Buddu progressed to their third successive final after ejecting two-time champions Bulemeezi on away goal rule following a 2-all aggregate draw.

The return leg played at the Kasana (Kosovo) playground in Luweero saw the hosts Bulemeezi win 2-1.

Calvin Peter Emayo scored two goals for Bulemeezi while Denis Kalanzi scored the crucial goal for Buddu.

Buddu had triumphed in the first leg 1-0 courtesy of dangerman Bruno Bunyaga’s strike at the Masaka Recreational Stadium.

Busiro qualified for their second-ever final following the one they played in 2019. They won 1-0 win in the return leg over Ssingo at Ssentema playground.

The 2022 Masaza Cup final will be held on a date and venue that will be confirmed by His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

Quarter-final return leg results:

• Busiro 3-0 Gomba

*Busiro advanced 5-1 on aggregate

• Buwekula 1-1 Bulemeezi

*Bulemeezi advanced 2-1 on aggregate

• Mawokota 0-0 Buddu

*Buddu advanced 1-0 on aggregate

• Ssingo 0-0 Kyaggwe

*Ssingo advanced 1-0 on aggregate

Masaza Cup  Cast of All Winners:

• 2021 – Buddu
• 2020 – Gomba
• 2019 – Bulemeezi
• 2018 – Buddu
• 2017 – Gomba
• 2016 – Buddu
• 2015 – Singo
• 2014 – Gomba
• 2013 – Mawokota
• 2012– Bulemeezi
• 2011– Buluri
• 2010– Not Held
• 2009– Gomba
• 2008– Kyadondo
• 2007– Mawokota
• 2006– Kooki
• 2005- Mawokota
• 2004- Gomba

Vipers SC reached the 2022/23 CAF Champions League group stages after upsetting TP Mazembe in the preliminary round on Saturday.

They had to grind until the penalty shootouts to win 2-4 and make the milestone for the first time in their history.

Tanzania’s Simba and Sudan’s traditional giants Al Hilal and Al Merriekh are the other sides from the CECAFA region to also reach the level.

Al Merriekh progressed to the last 16 as well on away goals rule despite losing 3-1 away to Libya’s Ahli Tripoli.

They had won 2-0 in the first leg in Omdurman and the lone goal late on by Ramadan Agab sent them through.

Their arch-rivals Al Hilal ejected Tanzania’s Young Africans 2-1 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 in Dar es Salaam.

Simba upstaged Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto 1-0 to complete a double while North African side Al Ahly and Zamalek (Egypt), Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca, Tunisia’s Esperance, and the Algerian duo of CR Belouizdad plus JS Kabylie also made it.

Cameroon’s Coton Sport, Petro Luanda (Angola), AC Horoya (Guinea), and 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns complete the list.

The final team to progress will be decided on October 20, when the second leg of Kadiogo (Burkina Faso) and AS Vita (DR Congo) unfolds. Their first meeting ended in a goalless draw in Burkina Faso.  

The 15 qualified teams: Vipers SC (Uganda), Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Raja CA (Morocco), Al Merrikh (Sudan), JS Kabylie (Algeria), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Petro Luanda (Angola), Zamalek (Egypt), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Simba (Tanzania), Al Hilal (Sudan), AC Horoya (Guinea), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Coton Sport (Cameroon),

To be decided: Kadiogo (Burkina Faso)/AS Vita (DR Congo)

The Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang has lauded the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for developing football in the country.

Hon. Ogwang was guest of honour at the 98th FUFA Ordinary General Assembly which was successfully held on Saturday at Acholi Inn, Gulu.

The Assembly had full representation from all the 34 Members that constitute FUFA with 80 of the 88 delegates attending.

“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, the Executive and delegates for promoting and developing football in Uganda. We are sure that with more funding from the government the game of football will even become better,” Hon. Ogwang stated.

At the event, FUFA President also confirmed the withdrawal of the Uganda U23 National Team (The Kobs) from the AFCON U23 Qualifiers.

He also revealed that FUFA starting the next financial year will increase funding towards Member Associations to the tune of 2.5 billion annually that is to say; Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA), Uganda Football Coaches Association (UFCA), Futsal Association Uganda (FAU) and Beach Soccer.

Vipers SC defied the odds to upstage TP Mazembe in the second leg of the second preliminary round of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League.

The Kitende-based outfit required a goalless first and second half followed by a successful 2-4 penalty shoot-out to seal the victory.

Vipers SC and TP Mazembe huffed and puffed but none could break the deadlock in standard time.

The visitors often threatened Abdu Lumala’s shot outside the 18-yard box hit the post and a beautiful delivery from Yunus Sentamu was missed by Milton Karisa.

In the 74th minute, goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza saved as well to deny TP Mazembe’s Rainford Kalaba. After the mandatory 90 minutes, the referee immediately signaled time for penalties.

TP Mazembe’s Tandi Mwape skied the initial penalty while Vipers’ Bright Anukani scored for a 0-1 score. Ernest Luzolo eventually found the back of the net but Disan Galiwango ensured a 1-2 margin.

TP Mazembe’s Glody Likonza further dented his team’s hopes when he placed the ball wide, Ashraf Mandela capitalizing for a 1-3 score in favour of Vipers SC.

Issama Mpeko Djos’ successful penalty thereafter would not mean much because Olivier Osomba scored to seal the victory 2-4.

Vipers SC is now the first Ugandan football club to reach the group stages of the Caf Champions League since KCCA FC in 2018. Vipers haven’t conceded a goal in all 5 matches this season.

Ugandan defender Gavin Mugweri has inked a four-year employment contract with Egyptian entity Al Ittihad Alexandria Club.

The development comes after his tenure at Uganda’s most successful club, SC Villa came to an end.

The former Jogoo youngster rose through the ranks of the team’s youth structure to get promoted to the senior team.

He had earlier youthful spells with the St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School – Kitende before SC Villa offered him the first professional contract.

He leaves with experienceof having captained the Uganda U-17 and U-20 sides on regional and continental levels.

Gavin (Mugweri) is a rare personality of a footballer. He has been hard working throughout his career both in training sessions and matches.  He is also disciplined to the dot and I fancy his chances of progressing not only at Al Ittihad Alexanderia in Egypt, but also elsewhere with plenty of years by his side. I thank the coaches who have managed him as a young person until lately. We thank Al Ittihad Alexandria for the opportunity with a four year deal (with a clause to leave if any offer from Europe comes by). It will present him with a great platform to develop into a great world-class defender.

Sepuya, of Sepuya Inc Agency said

Mugweri’s new home in Egypt is based in the famous Red Sea Governorate. They host their home matches at the magnificent world class Alexandria and Borg El Arab Stadia.

Uganda U20 national team (Hippos) has been summoned ahead of the AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers 2022 in Sudan.

A total of 33 players have been summoned with the tournament set to kick off on 28th October to 11th November 2022.

Four foreign-based players led by Greece-based midfielder Isma Mugulusi have made the squad alongside US-based right back Unegbu Shemen Orakwue, Tuma Basil Tenywa (in the United Kingdom), and Nsambu Lioyd Tendo (France).

The Hippos under Morley Byekwaso claimed the Zonal Qualifiers championship in Tanzania in 2020 to book a place at the final tournament in 2021 in Mauritania, reaching the finals before losing 2-0 against Ghana.

Byekwaso will continue to handle the team as head coach and will be assisted by Simeon Masaba. The team will enter camp at the Cranes Paradise hotel, Kisasi on Wednesday 12th, 2022.

Goalkeepers

Abdu Magada-Gaddafi FC, Kamya Shamulan-Bright Stars FC , Nsumba Venacious- Wakiso Giants FC, Ssenyondwa Denis Kaala- URA FC

Defenders

Opiru Justine- URA FC, Bugembe Issa- Bright Stars FC, Mpanga Sula- Maroons FC, Unegbu Shemen Orakwue- Houston Dynamo FC, USA, Ibrahim Juma- KCCA FC, Jimmy Ndalambi- Blacks Power FC, Samson Kasozi-UPDF FC, Ronald Madoi- Wakiso Giants FC, Mukisa Simon- UPDF FC, Nsambu Lloyd Tendo- FC Metz Academy,

Midfielders

Mayanja Saidi-KCCA FC, Allan Kiggundu- BUL FC, Katongole Frank-St Mary’s Kitende, Mugulusi Isma- Makedonikos FC, Greece, Nyanzi Marvin- Wakiso Giants FC, Andrew Kawooya- KCCA FC, Wabyoona Faisal- KCCA FC, Thomas Kakaire- Mbarara City FC, Mutebi Hakim- St Mary’s Kitende, Umar Lutalo- SC Villa, Muhammad Nsereko- SC Villa, Kasinde Ibrahim- Bright Stars FC, Asaba Ivan- Vipers SC, Tuma Basil Tenywa- Reading FC, UK, Lukwago Haruna -KCCA FC 

Attackers

Kyeyune Abbas- UPDF FC, Emmanuel Mukisa- Kataka FC, Iddi Abdulwahid- Unattached, Oscar Mawa- Unattached

Team Officials:

Simeon Masaba (Acting Head coach), Kiberu Mubarak – Goalkeeping coach, Gumisiriza Michael – Team Doctor, Team Manager – Mutyaba Bashir, Ronnie Lusulire – Team Media Officer, Noah Kasule Babadi – Trainer, Bumpemje Frank – Kitsman

Second-Round Qualifiers:
Guinea Vs Uganda
1st leg Saturday 22nd October 2022  at 8 pm (EAT)
Venue: Chamazi Stadium, Dar es Salaam-Tanzania

2nd leg 29th October 2022 Uganda vs Guinea at St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium

The Uganda U23 Men’s National Team Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named a provisional squad of twenty-nine players to start preparations for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations that will be hosted by Morocco.

The team comprises Uganda U17 and U20 graduates who will enter the residential camp on Wednesday 12th October 2022 at the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi.

The team will Uganda Cranes Regional Tour of Northern Uganda with the match to be played on Saturday 15^th October 2022 at Pece Stadium. The U23 team will face a Northern Region Select team.

The Squad
Goalkeepers:
Fahad Emuran- (Kibuli SS), Atugonza Tony (Buddo SS), Lukuya Kenneth-(Wakiso Giants)

Defenders: Kizito Mugweri Garvin–(Itihad FC-Egypt), Begisa James Penz – (URA FC), Onek Hillary –(BUL FC) , Kayondo Abdu Aziizi-(Real Monarchs (USA), Ssemayange Simon- (Bright Stars), Semakula Kenneth –(SC Villa), Musa Ramadhan-(FC Cincinnati-USA), Jacob Okao-(Maroons FC), Torach Rogers (Vipers SC)

Midfielders: Baligeya Simon- (URA FC), Byaruhanga Bobosi – (Elite Falcons FC (UAE), Serwada Steven – (New York Red Bull-USA), Ssekaja Davies (Sc Villa)

Attackers:
Abdalla Salim, (URA FC), Ssematimba Titus –(Wakiso Giants), Bogere Ivan- (SC Villa), Ssenoga  Muhammed Kagawa (KCCA FC), Mugisha Rogers-(UPDF FC), Sebyala Shafik, (Express FC), Jarieko James – (Onduparaka FC), Oketch Emmanuel- (Onduparaka FC), Kamwesiga  Jacob –(Arua Hills SC), Basangwa Richard -, (Wadi Degla, Egypt), Kakooza Derrick- (Valmiera FC-Latvia), Ssebuufu Frank-(Wakiso Giants FC)  and Umar Kyebatala (Maroons FC)

The Team Officials

Head Coach – Milutin Sredojevic, Assistant Coach – Moses Basena, Goalkeeping Coach – Fred Kisitu Kajoba, Team Manager – Geoffrey Massa, Team Physiotherapist – Ivan Ssewanyana, Fitness Trainer-Arthur Kyesimira, Team Media Officer – Nsereko Hamza

Results

• Maroons 0-0 Wakiso Giants

Maroons goalkeeper Simon Tamale was the star of the show as his incredible display saw him voted Man of the match in a goalless draw with Wakiso Giants.

The former Bright Stars player denied George Kaddu and Moses Aliro to earn a point for his side that moves second on the log with five points after three games.

Wakiso Giants huffed and puffed but couldn’t go past Tamale, who has now registered three clean sheets in a row.

The Prison Warders will return to action on October 22 away to Arua Hill while Wakiso Giants, now 10^th with a point after two games will host Blacks Power a day before.

Blacks Power earned their first campaign point by drawing 1-1 with Soltilo Bright Stars in Lira.

2022 Buganda Masaza Cup (Football):

Semi-finals (1^st Legs):

• Buddu 1-0 Bulemeezi
• Ssingo 3-3 Busiro

Defending champions Buddu defeated Bulemeezi in the first semi-final round of the 2022 Buganda Masaza Cup at Masaka Recreational Stadium in Masaka.

Lethal forward Bruno Bunyaga scored the all-important goal to set up an enticing return leg that will be played at the Kosovo playground in Kasana, Luweero.

Ssingo and Busiro played to a six-goal stalemate in Mityana. Joseph Ssewali scored a brace for the hosts (Ssingo) and captain Amuli Mukasaa added the other.

Busiro’s goals came from Alex Mandela and a brace by Akram Muzanyi. Ssewali gave Ssingo the early lead in 12 minutes. Muzanyi leveled the matters 10 minutes later.

Busiro took command of the game on the half-hour mark through another Muzanyi goal but Mukasa equalized six minutes later as the first half ended 2-all.

Ssewali restored Ssingo’s lead in the 64^th minute before Mandela made amends with 14 minutes to play.

The return legs will be played on Sunday, 16^th October 2022 (kick off at 3 PM). Bulemeezi will host Buddu in Luweero while Busiro shall face Ssingo at the Sentema playground.