Crested Cranes have qualified for CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship final after edging Ethiopia on Thursday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Lethal forward Fazila Ikwaput was on target for the Crested Cranes, scoring with five minutes to play in extra time after normal time had ended goalless.

The Lady Doves striker made a timely run to fire home off Hasifah Nassuna’s well-delivered corner kick.

Uganda was unlucky despite making a good start to the game as they hit the crossbar on four occasions.

However, Ethiopia too had their fair share of chances and coach George Lutalo will have his goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro to thank for her brilliant display on the afternoon.

It will be the first-ever appearance for Uganda in the final of the tournament. The previous occasions have seen the Crested Cranes finish fourth in 2016 and third in 2018 and 2019.

The Crested Cranes now await the winner between Tanzania and Burundi who face off in the other semifinal.

Uganda Cranes were held to a one-all draw by Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Qualifier at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

Milton Karisa’s first-half goal was cancelled by Mahamadou Amadou Sabo’s strike midway through the second half to deny the Cranes all points in a Group F encounter.

The cranes started the game well creating scoring opportunities but they were wasteful in front of goal. Farouk Miya who missed a penalty in the opening game of the campaign against Algeria put to waste a couple of chances.

Miya shot directly at the goalkeeper after Fahad Bayo had forced him into an error and the forward also shot narrowly wide after being set up by Emmanuel Okwi off the left flank.

Milton Karisa gave Cranes the lead with a cross-cum-shot as the first half neared the end.

In the second half, Niger played on the break and created some problems for the Cranes whenever they played the ball over the top.

Against a run of play, Niger levelled matters after Sabo beat the Cranes’ backline down the left before curling past Charles Lukwago.

Micho’s introduction of Allan Okello, Muhammad Shaban, and later Isaac Muleme as well as Allan Kyambadde who came on earlier for injured Miya didn’t change much.

Instead, it was Niger that could have won the game as Adebayo Zakari missed a couple of chances.

Next Up

The Cranes will return to action in September with a double header against Tanzania.

Uganda Cranes XI: Charles Lukwago (GK), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Isaac Muleme 84’), Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Farouk Miya (Allan Kyambadde 54’), Milton Karisa (Allan Okello 74’), Fahad Bayo Aziz (Muhammad Shaban 74’), Emmanuel Okwi

Unused Substitutes: Alionzi Nafian, Denis Otim, Mutyaba Muzamir, Marvin Youngman, Steven Sserwadda, Elvis Bwomono, Martin Kizza, Enock Walusimbi

Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named the team that will start against Niger in the second Group F game of the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

Micho has made three changes from the team that lost 2-0 away to Algeria in the first game of the campaign at July 15 1962 stadium.

Fahad Bayo who missed the trip to Algiers is back in the squad and starts upfront.

Vipers’ midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga starts ahead of Allan Okello while Aziz Kayondo starts in left-back position ahead of Isaac Muleme.

Uganda has beaten Niger in both their last visits to Kampala – Ibrahim Ssekajja scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win in 2008 while David Obua scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win in 2007 at Namboole.

Uganda Cranes XI: Charles Lukwago, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Farouk Miya, Milton Karisa, Fahad Bayo Aziz, Emmanuel Okwi

Substitutes: Alionzi Nafian, Denis Otim, Muzamir Mutyaba, Marvin Youngman, Shaban Muhammad Jagason, Steven Sserwadda, Allan Okello, Allan Kyambadde, Isaac Muleme, Elvis Bwomono, Martin Kizza, Enock Walusimbi

• Wednesday June 8, 2022
• St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende 4pm

Uganda Cranes coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic and skipper Emmanuel Okwi are sure the team will win when they face Niger in a second group F match.

The two teams face off at Kitende on Wednesday after Uganda were swept away 2-0 by a dominant Algeria on Saturday, just an hour after Niger were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Tanzania in Benin.

Uganda currently sit bottom with no point while Niger have one from as many games.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Micho promised change of tactics and approach.

“Against Algeria, a superior opponent, we employed a defensive approach,” he stated. “Our intention was to get a good result and we got a penalty which if Miya converted would have changed the tide of the game maybe,” he added.

Against Niger, we hope to play a different ball game that will see us create opportunities and we expect to score goals.

Micho vows to show style against Niger

Okwi says the players have put the defeat in Algeria behind them and focused on getting all three points tomorrow (Wednesday).

We are looking forward to tomorrow. The Algeria match is behind us and looking towards the next match. Niger is the task at hand we are confident of getting a good result off them as players.

Emmanuel Okwi

Head to Head

• This will be the 3^rd meeting in the Afcon with Uganda winning one [D1]
• Overall, there have been six meetings with Niger holding a slight advantage with three victories against Uganda’s two and one draw.
• Uganda Cranes have failed to win any of the last three competitive outings, claiming one draw and losing two since a 1-0 victory over Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers
• Niger are unbeaten in all but one of their last five outings across all competitions, with a 2-1 friendly loss to Libya in March being the exception.
• However, they have failed to win any of their last three away games, losing twice and picking up one draw in that time.

Probable line ups

Uganda: Charles Lukwago (GK), Enock Walusimbi, Halid Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Isaac Muleme, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga Emmanuel Okwi, Allan Okello, Fahad Bayo and Milton Karisa

Niger: Naim Van Attenhoven (GK); Ousmane Diabaté, Abdoul Garba, Karim Doudou, Abdel Rahim Alhassane; Youssouf Oumarou, Abdoul Moumouni; Victorien Adebayor, Amadou Wonkoye, Amadou Moutari and Daniel Sosah

Ever since the 5th edition of the MTN Uganda-sponsored Busoga Masaza Cup kicked off last month, each of the participating teams seems to have sharpened their attacking line. This is evident in the number of goals scored so far.

Just last weekend, many games were played at different venues but scoring in each of the games was inevitable.

Ayub Dester’s troops from Bunha County made a trip to Namayingo on Sunday for a showdown with Bukooli Namayingo. In a game played at Namayingo Primary School Playground, a lone goal from David Okema was enough to condemn Bukooli Namayingo for the day. It was Bunha’s second successive win.

Luuka managed to humble Bunhole Bunanhumba 2-1 thereby securing the much-needed three points in Nhendha Group. Luuka took an early lead in the first three minutes having capitalized on pitch familiarity and doubled their lead in the sixteenth minute with Allan Bamwanga and Cyrus Mugulusi on target respectively. Bunhole tried to fire back but only managed a consolation through Joel Tumwesigye in the second half.

Bulamogi, who are making their maiden appearance in the tournament, silenced their neighbours from Bukono one-nil in a game played at Ivuukula Sub-county Playground. Their solitary goal was scored by Nathan Bwamiki in the first half. Bulamogi capitalized on Bukono’s mistakes since they were being underrated as new entrants to the tournament. Bulamogi will next entertain Bugabula next month in Namwiwa.

The Busoga Masaza tournament is graced by a vast number of people from the kingdom and the tournament sponsors including MTN Uganda.

Joseph Bogera, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, MTN Uganda said the tournament has driven a sense of unity amongst the people of Busoga.

“On behalf of MTN Uganda, I am glad to see the matches unfolding because the tournament is testimony to the power of togetherness which is critical to cultural bonds. MTN seeks to harness togetherness amongst the people of Busoga, because at MTN, we believe we are good together,” he said.

Goals during this tournament have been an attractive factor that draws the people of Busoga from far and wide to watch the matches.

2017 Masaza Champions Butembe County Football team didn’t waste time in humbling perennial participants from Budiope. Second-half goals from Bashir Kabi and Farouk Magumba were the main determinants of the game. This is Butembe’s second win after overcoming Buzaaya in the opener of the tournament.

Key Stats

• It should be noted that all the 8 matches played so far have seen at least a goal scored in each game.
• Luuka’s Allan Bamwanga has scored the fastest goal so far (inside the opening 5 minutes in the first half).
• A total of 14 goals have been scored, 4 in the first half and 10 in the second half by 12 different players in total. 
• No team has lost a game after taking the lead either in the first or second half.
• Bunha has scored the highest number of goals (5) at the moment.
• Bunha and Butembe have each kept 2 clean sheets at home and away from home successively. 

This weekend, the streak remained undefeated as Buzaaya and Budiope ended the match at 1-1 at Luzinga Community Primary School while Bukooli Namayingo defeated Busiki 2-1 at Namutumba Upper Primary School.

Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic has broken down the team’s 2-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening game of the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.

Goals from Aissa Mandi and Youcef Belaili handed Algeria a deserved win in a game Uganda Cranes struggled to get anything going

According to Micho, three moments that turned the game away include Khalid Aucho giving away a freekick from which Algeria scored their opener, then Farouk Miya missing a penalty immediately after the Desert Warriors went ahead, and Belaili masterclass.

“Three details decided this match. We gave an unnecessary set-piece in the area from where Belaili gave Islam Slimani at the far post who headed it back and we conceded a very cheap goal from a lapse of concentration.

“The second is that immediately after the critical phase of conceding, when your team was still celebrating, we won a penalty, and when you don’t score, this immediately kills the morale of the team.

“However, at halftime, we looked to close the gaps and cracks that we had in the first stanza, and we had kept you silent until a masterpiece of Belaili that put the game beyond our reach.”

Next up for Cranes in Niger at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

Former Uganda Cranes head coach Jonathan Mckinstry has revealed some of tactical reasons why the team lost 2-0 to Algeria in the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.

Mckinstry explained why Uganda looked good in the midfield but had challenges pressing because of the huge gaps that lingered between the first line and second line.

Algeria capitalized on overloads during set pieces into Uganda’s area and this was one of the reasons for disappointment.

“The platform for @LesVerts success was their use of space,” read a tweet from Mckinstry.

“This disciplined tactical approach ensured they often had players in space to receive the ball, as well as increasing the distances @UgandaCranes needed to cover.”

“Often @LesVerts forced @UgandaCranes to adopt a Low Block approach,” he added.

“This was likely exacerbated by the poor efficiency of the High Block – which once broken forced the visitors to retreat to defend their box.”

Uganda conceded a goal in each half in defeat to dominant Algeria in their group F opening game of the Afcon 2023 qualifiers.

📋 ANALYSIS@LesVerts maintained their excellent home form with an opening day victory over @UgandaCranes in the @CAF_Online #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023

Here we look at the areas #Algeria focused on to secure the result, and how #Uganda sought to combat them.

[1/7]

⤵️ pic.twitter.com/TJ78yDpkkt

— Johnathan McKinstry (@johnnymckinstry) June 5, 2022

Aissi Mandi and Youcef Belaili scored for the Desert Foxes in a game Farouk Miya missed a crucial penalty in the first half.

In the same group F, Tanzania drew 1-1 with Niger in the early kick off implying that Uganda are now bottom with no point.

Next on menu for the Cranes is a home clash against Niger on Thursday at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende while Algeria will visit Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

In other games played on the day, Senegal won 3-1 against Mauritania, Congo lost 4-0 to Mali, Mauritania were 3-0 winners over Sudan, and Burundi drew 1-1 with Namibia while Gambia edged South Sudan 1-0.

Uganda Cranes line-up: Lukwago (GK), Gavin Kizito, Muleme, Lwaliwa, Mugabi, Aucho, Youngman (Kakooza 81’), Okello (Sserwadda 55’), Okwi © (Kiwanuka 74’), Karisa (Bobosi 74’), Miya (Kiiza 74’)

Saturday May 04, 2022

• July 05 stadium, Algiers 10pm

After missing out on the Afcon 2021 finals, Uganda Cranes want to return to the continent’s big showpiece.

They visit 2019 champions Algeria on Saturday seeking a good result.

In The Desert Foxes, they face a side that flirted on their title defence early this year and also failed to qualify for the Fifa World Cup due later this year in Qatar.

They finished bottom of their group in Cameroon and also keen to return to Afcon to make amends.

Team News

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi left out of Manchester City star Riyadh Mahrez from the squad.

His squad has seven uncapped players that could earn debuts against Uganda, 1978 finalists in Ghana.

For Uganda, there are reports that left back Isaac Muleme and striker Muhammad Shaban suffered injury in one of the build ups in Tunisia but no official report has come out.

This will be the 12^th meeting between the two nations with Uganda posting 3 wins [L4, D4]

In Afcon qualifiers competitions, Uganda has won 2, [2-1 win in 1973 and 1998] at home, drew 1 and lost as many.

In the 1983, Uganda lost 3-0 to Algeria away but beat the Desert Foxes 4-1 at Nakivubo in the Olympics qualifiers.

The two nations last faced off in a friendly clash back in 2003 which Algeria won 1-0.

Probable line-ups:

Algeria: Rais M’Bolhi (GK), Houcine Benayada, Aissa Mandi, Abdelkader Bedrane, Ramy Bansebaini; Hicham Boudaoui, Ismael Bennacer, Ramiz Zerrouki, Rachid Ghezzal, Adam Ounas, Islam Slimani

Uganda: Charles Lukwago (GK), Elvis Bwomono, Bevis Mugabi, Halid Lwaliwa, Aziz Kayondo, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Aucho Khalid, Joseph Marvin Youngman, Fahad Bayo, Emmanuel Okwi ©, Allan Kyambadde

CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022

Group A| Matchday Two

Uganda 5-0 Djibouti

Uganda continued with its impressive display at the ongoing CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship with yet another convincing victory.

The Crested Cranes were too much for hapless Djibouti who literally did not put up a fight in the game played on Friday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

George Lutalo’s charges won 5-0 to maintain their grip at the top of Group A. The team had won 2-0 against Rwanda in the first game.

Aisha Nantongo, Margaret Namirimu, Fazila Ikwaput, Sandra Nabweteme and Phiona Nabbumba scored a goal apiece in the one-sided affair.

Lutalo made two changes from the team that started against Rwanda with Sandra Nabweteme and Lillian Mutuuzo starting ahead of Sumaya Komuntale and Shirazi Natasha.

Nantongo jumped high to head home a well delivered corner kick from Margaret Kunihira in the 17^th minute.

At the break, Uganda led 2-0 with the other goal coming from another central defender Namirimu whose powerful shot from distance beat goalkeeper Rokiatou Doumbia.

Uganda was more clinical in the second half and played with more purpose. Four minutes after recess, Nabweteme tapped home from range to make it 3-0.

Nabbumba who replaced Shamira Nalugya took only seven minutes to announce her arrival, striking from far to make it four before Ikwpaut put the icing on the cake.

Uganda will end Group A business on Sunday with a game against Burundi while Djibouti will on the same day face Rwanda.

Uganda Starting XI

Dasiy Nakaziro (GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Margaret Namirimu, Aisha Nantongo, Joan Nabirye, Margaret Kunihira, Shamira Nalugya, Fazila Ikwaput, Hasifah Nassuna, Sandra Nabweteme, Lilian Mutuuzo

Djibouti Starting XI

Rokiatou Doumbia, Neima Abdillahi Said, Nasteho Robleh Djama, Ilham Djama Douhour, Yousra Mohamed Awad, Rahma Moustapha Aden, Anab Hassan Daher, Kafia Abdourahman Arab, Lerman Abdou Skieh, Hibo Abdi Abdillahi, Ferouze Mohamed Issa

Uganda Cranes defender Bevis Mugabi says has vowed to see the Uganda Cranes qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Mugabi is part of Milutin Micho Sredejovic’s Uganda Cranes squad camped in Tunisia ahead of the Group F qualification games against Algeria on June 4 and Niger on June 8.

The Motherwell star wants Uganda to return to the showpiece after featuring in 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt where he helped Uganda reach the knockout.

“Qualifying for AFCON ultimately is the target, I don’t think any player came here as passengers and not to compete,” Mugabi told FUFA Media.

“For me personally, I want to play in Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, we are ready, and we are going to do everything to make that happen.”

Algeria are the 2019 AFCON champions, and a big bunch of that squad still part of the Desert Warriors team that will face Uganda Cranes at the The 5 July 1962 Stadium.

Mugabi commented: “Everyone in the squad has good experience playing against different type of players and We are ready to go into Saturday’s game to compete.”