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Ugandan footballer Edward Kizza has set fresh targets at Major League Soccer side New England Revolution after impressing for his first season at the club.
The 23-year-old was selected as the 24th overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, and as a rookie made an impact on the first team.
Kizza registered 11 appearances and 259 minutes with the first team and played more time with Revolution II in USL League One.
“I think for me last year was more about my development, coming from college,” Kizza told Revolution Soccer.
“I think it was very tremendous for me to have the opportunity to train with the second team. Just like playing games, that was the biggest thing for me.
“I understand, being with the first team it was very tough to get into. Having all those guys, everybody was playing out of this world which was good for the team. That means the competition was very high standards.”
Kizza made 12 appearances – all starts – with Revolution II, totaling 1,011 minutes. The striker scored five goals and at one point scored in four straight matches, tying the second-longest streak in League One history.
“For me, just being on the second team helped me play games, just actually improve my performance and stuff,” Kizza added. “Training with those guys every single day, that helps me improve my confidence.”
Looking ahead
Kizza wants to achieving new objectives with the first team. He said; “First I have to show the coaches that I’m ready to take that next step,” said Kizza.
“Work hard in training, score as many goals as I can in training, and be more efficient in everything I do in training.
“Hopefully those things will translate in the big games. But I think my main goal this year, and I think it’s doable. There’s no doubt, I’ll hit the five-goal mark. That’s for sure.”
Kizza signed a professional contract with the New England Revolution on 5 March 2021 after impressing the coaching staff in pre-season.
He made professional debut for the Revolution on 17 April 2021 in their season opener against the Chicago Fire.
Ugandan footballer Ibra Sekajja is happy to return to the fray at Dulwich Hamlet – a club in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.
Sekajja, born in Mulago, Uganda scored two late goals to help his side secure a 4-1 win against Concord Rangers on Monday.
He had just re-signed for his third spell at the South London club before delivering in stoppage time for a 4-1 win over Concord Rangers.
Former Crystal Palace striker Sekajja told londonnewsonline.co.uk of his journey to full fitness and delight to play once more.
“I love the fans,” he said. “It’s great to be back. I feel like there’s unfinished business. I left here when the club just missed out on promotion.
“For me, it’s just really about getting back into my stride, getting me back up to where I feel like I’m ready to start games. So far it’s been good. The gaffer told me to come on and make a difference and that’s what I did.
“For my first goal I still wasn’t even fully warm but I had to make my decision early. First touch really set me up and I knew where the keeper was, so I knew I had to get it right in the corner and take my chance.”
“Obviously Greeny put in a great through ball for my second. I knew the keeper was coming up, so I just had to get a little chip on it and over him.”
Sekajja has been capped by England at U16 level however in August 2013, he was called up to the Uganda squad for a friendly against Egypt.
Erisa Ssekisambu has returned to KCCA Football Club on a short-term deal for his second stint.
The forward who previously featured for the Kasasiro during the 2019-20 season has signed a six months contract that runs till the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
Ssekisambu had moved to Malta in January last year to Tarxien Rainbows where he has played for a year.
He joins the league leaders as a free agent and will have to compete in Morley Byekwaso’s frontline with the likes of Davis Kasirye, Sadat Anaku, Charles Lwanga, and Brian Aheebwa.
“I feel happy and it is an opportunity for me to win something for the club and to lift myself as an individual.
“I come back at a time when KCCA FC is top of the table and I want to help the club maintain its position until the end of the season.
“I have already had a talk with the Manager and I know what he demands and I hope I do exactly that. I want to win with KCCA FC,” Ssekisambu said as quoted by the club website.
Ssekisambu has previously played for Gor Mahia in Kenya, and locally for SC Villa, Vipers, URA, and Express.
He also played for national sides from U20 to the senior team Uganda Cranes.
Vipers Sports Club has announced the signing of defender Hilary Mukundane from Mbarara City Football Club.
The center-back has put pen to paper with the club at an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, that runs until January 2024.
Mukundane becomes the second signing of the mid-season transfer window, after returnee Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye.
“The ambitions for the club are clear and I want to be part of this journey.
“I feel happy joining Vipers and it’s a dream come true because I am at the biggest club in the country right now. I hope that many successes come from this.
“I can’t wait to put the shirt on and get out there and play for Vipers,” said Mukundane as quoted by the club media.
At Vipers, he will fight a playing place with skipper Halid Lwaliwa, Bashir Asiku, Livingstone Mulondo, and youngster Jacob Okoa.
Quick Profile
- Full Name: Hilary Mukundane Panuela
- Nationality: Ugandan
- Date of Birth: 19/09/2000
- Age: 21yrs
- Position: Defender
- Weight: 69Kgs
- Height: 5ft 9in
Former Clubs:
- 2015: Kamoma FC
- 2016: Ntoda FC
- 2017 – Jan 2022: Mbarara City FC
- Jersey No: 22
Former Uganda Cranes midfielder Micheal Azira is proud he will extend for another season with United Soccer League Championship (USLC) side New Mexico United.
The extension for 2022 was announced by the club on their social media platforms having joined the club in 2021.
“The 2021 Humanitarian of the Year returns for another season of impact on & off the pitch. Welcome home Mike Azira! #SomosUnidos,” the club wrote in a statement.
Azira who has made 28 league appearances for the side, scoring one goal spoke his heart out on his social media platform where he said he can’t wait to continue his stay.
“Great to be back and be part of this great club and community. Cant wait to play infront of our fans,” Azira said.
Azira signed with USL Championship side New Mexico United on 1 February 2021. He retired from the national team the same year having featured for Uganda at two AFCON tournaments.
Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sports has announced the signing of Ugandan striker Musa Esenu.
Esenu joins the side on a two-season deal from Jinja-based Uganda Premier League outfit BUL Football Club.
Esenu who has previously played at Soana (now Tooro United), KCCA FC, and Vipers has blistering pace, strength, and an eye for goals.
The striker had an impressive run this season at BUL with 8 goals in the first half of the 2021-2022 Uganda Premier League.
George Lutalo, the head coach of Uganda Senior Women’s National Football Team, has named a provisional squad of 39 players to start preps for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
The Crested Cranes of Uganda will battle Kenya’s Harambe Starlets in the final qualifying phase with the first leg slated for 17th February 2022 at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. The return leg will be played a week later.
The squad summoned has players returning to the Crested Cranes fold after a while and these include defender Yudaya Nakayenze, forward Viola Nambi, and winger Shiraz Natasha.
Livewire striker Fazila Ikwaput who missed the encounter against Ethiopia due to injury has recovered and is part of the squad summoned.
The team enters residential camp today (Wednesday, 26th January) at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Kenya will earn a berth at this year’s Africa Women Cup of Nations that will be held in Morocco in August.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves FC), Gloria Namakula (Tooro Queens FC), Juliet Adeke (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Daphine Nyayenga (Lady Doves FC)
Defenders: Shadia Nankya(UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Yudaya Nakayenze (Lindey Wilson College – USA), Viola Namuddu (Makerere University WFC), Wilmer Nantumbwe (She Corporate FC), Eunice Ariokot (Olila High School WFC), Sumayah Komuntale (Tooro Queens FC), Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Bira Nadunga (Olila High School WFC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Phoebe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals FC)
Midfielders: Shakira Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Joan Nabirye (Vihiga Queens FC – Kenya), Rhoda Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves FC), Phionah Nabbumba (She Corporate FC), Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Sheebah Zalwango (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Resty Kobusobozi (Tooro Queens FC), Zaina Namuleme (Kampala Queens FC), Hasifah Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals FC)
Forwards: Sharon Nadunga (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC), Spencer Nakacwa (Lady Doves FC), Sandra Nabweteme (Fimleikafelag Hafnarfjordur – Iceland), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC), Viola Nambi (Vaxjo DFF – Sweden), Natasha Shiraz (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera – Israel), Sandra Kisakye (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Zainah Nandede (Kataka-She FC), Margret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens FC), Lilian Mutuuzo( Kampala Queens)
Vipers Sports Club has announced the return of Frank Tumwesigye to the club on a three-year deal.
The midfielder, popularly known as Zaga, terminated his contract with Police FC on mutual consent says he’s a changed player.
“I am now a changed player,” said Tumwesigye as quoted by the club website. “I have seen and learned a lot during my time away from Vipers SC and this time I come back a changed person with a different mentality.
“I know Vipers SC is a team of pressure and competition and l am ready to compete for a place in the first eleven. And l surely know l will make it.”
Zaga first joined Vipers from St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende in 2016 but was loaned out in 2019 to Express FC.
The creative midfielder returned but was later released the following year as he asked to join Police FC.
On his return, Zaga will compete for a place in attacking midfield with Bright Anukani, Karim Watambala, Allan Kayiwa as well as Paul Mucureezi.
Ghana tooka first leg lead against Uganda in the fourth round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
The Black Princesses edged their hosts 2-1 on Saturday at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende ahead of the return leg that will be played in two weeks’ time.
Abdulai Salamatu and Grace Animah guided Ghana to a two-nil lead through fifty minutes. Uganda’s captain Fauzia Najjemba converted from the spot with five minutes to play to give her side a lifeline.
However, it was Uganda that started the better side making several attempts at goal but failed to put away the clear-cut chances created.
Inside ten minutes, Najjemba beat Ghana’s backline for pace but failed to beat goalkeeper Cynthia Findib. While it was a tough outting for Margaret Kunihira, she also came close but couldn’t find the target at the near post.
At the other end, Ghana on the other hand scored from their first clear cut chance at goal when Salamatu capitalized on a defensive lapse from Asia Nakibuuka who failed to head away and the Ghanian forward lobed the bouncing ball over goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga.
Uganda could have drawn level almost immediately but Aisha Nantongo ruled herself for offside, letting a glorious opportunity go.
From then, Ghana grew in confidence and kept Uganda’s defense under all sorts of pressure and three minutes into the second half, the visitors doubled their lead through a well taken free-kick by Animah.
Five minutes to fulltime, Najjemba scored from the spot after Nalugya was fouled in the box.
The winner of the tie on aggregate between Uganda and Ghana will face either Ethiopia or Tanzania at the final qualifying stage.
Team Lineups
Uganda XI – Daphine Nyayenga, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nantongo, Catherine Nagadya, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Samalie Nakachwa, Hadijah Nandago, Fauziah Najjemba, Margret Kunihira, Bira Nadunga, Asia Nakibuuka
Substitutes – Harima Kanyago, Kevin Nakachwa, Shamirah Nakachwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Grace Aluka, Joan Namusisi, Zainah Nandede, Lilian Mutuuzo
Ghana XI – Cynthia Konlan Fiindib, Abena Anoma Opoku, Duah Susan Ama, Louisa Aniwaa, Suzzy Dede Teye, Doris Boaduwaa, Rahama Jafaru, Anasthesia Achiaa, Salamatu Abdulai, Azumah Bugre, Grace Animah
Substitutes – Rebecca Atinga, Monica Addai, Sophaiah Agyaakwa, Afia Nyarko, Zuleiha Fuseini, Grace Banwaa Buoadu, Mafia Nyame
Uganda U20 Women’s team captain Fauzia Najjemba is aware of Ghana’s abilities as the sides prepare to face off the first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Najjemba however insists the team is ready for the task ahead of them.
“Ghana will not be an easy opponent and it will not be an easy game but we are ready as players for the challenge. The coaches have given us the best preparations and all we have to do is execute the tactics,” she told the press.
The forward lauded FUFA President Moses Magogo for allowing fans to watch the game at the stadium and states this will even motivate them further.
“I want to thank FUFA President for allowing the fans back into the stadium. This gives us more confidence and we welcome them to Kitende on Saturday to come and rally behind us.”
The winner between Uganda and Ghana on aggregate will face either Ethiopia or Tanzania at the final qualifying hurdle.