Ugandan defender Bevis Mugabi has appreciated continued support from his fans based in the United Kingdom as well as back at home in Uganda.

Mugabi has been an absolute sensation for both Scottish Professional club – Motherwell and national team – Uganda Cranes.

The 26-year-old moved from Fulham before joining Southampton’s academy alongside the likes of Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse.

He later switched to Yeovil Town and finally the Fir Park club. With his contract running down at the end of the season, he says fans could hugely influence his next steps.

“It’s massive. Especially the support I get from Uganda,” Mugabi told Sky Sports of his call ups to the national team.

“The media team (at Motherwell) were telling me that the Ugandan fans are commenting on message boards showing me their appreciation which is nice.

“I love going back there. It’s the motherland. My mum and dad were born there so it’s just nice to have that kind of experience.”

When quizzed about how much influence the fans will have on his decision to stay at Motherwell, he said; “Big time. Since I came in they’ve been supportive of me, even when I haven’t been performing.

“They’ve encouraged me to keep on performing as well. That will be massive for me.”

The Uganda U-20 Women’s national team will use their clash against Tanzania as a preparation match ahead of their return leg against South Africa on Friday, 17th December 2021.

Tanzania in turn wants to have two trial games as they also prepare their team for their return leg against Burundi in 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team Coach Ayub Khalifan Kiyingi confirmed the friendly before revealing his intentions of correcting the mistakes during the 1st leg against South Africa.

The matches will be played on today and Saturday at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam before the team proceeds to South Africa.

Traveling players:

Goalkeepers: Daphine Nyayenga (Lady Doves FC), Joan Namusisi (Kampala Queens FC), Diana Natukunda (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Saida Namwanje (Luweero Giant Queens FC)

Defenders: Sumayah Komuntale (Tooro Queens FC), , Grace Aluka (Olila High School FC), Biira Nadunga (Olila High School FC), Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim FC), Harima Kanyago (Lady Doves FC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Midfielders: Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Phiona Nabulime (Devine Soccer Academy), Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs High School), Margaret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs High School FC), Zaituni Namaganda (Taggy High School FC), Eva Naggayi (Rines SS WFC) Lillian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens FC)

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), , Joweria Nagadya (Lady Doves FC), Kamuyati Naigaga (Taggy High School), Ronah Regina Nantege (She Corporate FC), Olivia Babirye (Lady Doves FC), Zaina Nandede (Kataka SHE FC)

The FUFA Competitions Disciplinary Panel has sanctioned five members of KCCA Football Clubs over incidents during the match against Vipers at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

Four players, Ashraf Mugume, Innocent Wafula, Musa Ramathan, and Sadat Anaku as well as head coach Morley Byekwaso have been sanctioned.

According to the statement from the panel, the four attacked assistant referee Dick Okello following Bobosi Byaruhanga’s later equalizer in the 2-2 draw.

“The FUFA Competitions Disciplinary Panel has found KCCA FC quartet of Ashraf Mugume, Innocent Wafula, Ramathan Musa, and Sadat Anaku guilty of attacking Assistant Referee Dick Okello in the game against Vipers SC on 5th December 2021 at St. Mary’s Stadium

“The four will serve a two-match ban and also have a suspended fine of UGX 500,000 each.

“In the same breath, KCCA FC head coach Morley Byekwaso will pay a fine of UGX 1,000,000 for his comments after the game,” reads part of the statement.

The FUFA Competitions Disciplinary Panel has found KCCA FC quartet of Ashraf Mugume, Innocent Wafula, Ramathan Musa and Sadat Anaku guilty of attacking Assistant Referee Dick Okello in the game against Vipers SC on 5th December 2021 at St. Mary's Stadium. pic.twitter.com/rrMhsvGl0Z

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 8, 2021

In that regard, they will thus miss matches against Police FC and SC Villa on December 10th and 18th respectively.

Left-footed attacker Travis Mutyaba, 16, is keen to make his debut on the senior team, Uganda Cranes.

Mutyaba is part of the Uganda Cranes team summoned by head coach Milutin Sredojevic for the upcoming international match against Tanzania this Thursday, 9th December 2021.

Uganda Cranes will face Tanzania Taifa Stars on the Usiku ya Uhuru (Independence Day Celebrations) at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“I am humbled for the summon to Uganda Cranes. I look forward to an impressive performance on the senior team,” he told MTN Sports.

Head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic believes that this match will prepare for the 2022 CHAN qualifiers.

Mutyaba has had impressive displays for the Uganda U-15 and U-17 national sides and he will play alongside Ibrahim Juma, James Begisa, Joseph Bright Vuni, George Kasonko, John Byamukama, Steven Munguchi, Frank Mulimi, Frank Ssenyondo, Ivan Asaba, Alfred Leku and Samuel Ssenyonjo who are all expected to earn their first caps.

Players Summoned:

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (Express), Jack Komakech (Vipers)

Defenders: James Begisa (UPDF), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA), Najib Fesali (URA), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill), Farouk Katongole (URA)

Midfielders: George Kasonko (BUL), John Byamukama (Express), Joseph Akandwanaho (Express), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Steven Munguchi (Gaddafi), Frank Ssenyondo (Wakiso Giants), Frank Mulimi (Gaddafi)

Forwards: Ivan Asaba (Vipers), Alfred Leku (Arua Hill), Samuel Ssenyonjo (KCCA), Patrick Kaddu (Unattached)

English League One side Sheffield Wednesday Football Club announced the signing of Jayden Onen after a successful trial spell.

The attacking midfielder has spent time this season training with the Owls and featured once for Lee Bullen’s Under-23s.

During the 23s’ 1-1 draw with Coventry in September, Onen registered assisted Basile Zottos’ first-half strike.

“I’m delighted to get it all signed and sorted and my main focus is to get as fit as I can,” Onen told the club website.

“I got a little taste of first team football last season with Reading and made my debut against Norwich – it’s made me hungry for more. I know what I need to do and where I want to be.

“I had a good week training here, spent time with the first team and the lads were very welcoming and now I just want to push on.

“I played in the game at Coventry and I thought we played really well that day, there were a lot of young lads from the club playing but they did well and now I can’t wait to get started.”

The young attacking midfielder spent last season with Championship side Reading and made two appearances for the Royals.

Onen will link up with our Under-23 squad, who face Hull City at Stocksbridge on Wednesday.

Uganda Cranes Bevis Mugabi is keen to play more football in Europe with Scottish professional club Motherwell as the side continues to display credible performances.

The outfit has won three games in their last five outings and with Mugabi turning in good shifts in defence, the 26-year-old believes they can go all the way to next season’s European qualifying rounds. 

“The way we are playing, I don’t see why not,” Mugabi, who played during Motherwell’s 2020/21 Europa League campaign, told The Herald Scotland. “I don’t see why we should limit ourselves in what we can do.

“Rather than looking behind us, I think we should look in front of us to see what we can do and actually fulfil our potential.”

Mugabi has played two Europa League games for Motherwell. Both games came in the 2020-21 season.

He signed for the club on 12 September 2019 and his deal was renewed – now due to expire in the summer of 2021.

Arua Hill registered their fourth win of the season after beating Tooro United 3-1 at Barifa Ground in Arua City on Sunday.

Alfred Leku, Samuel Ssekamatte, and second-half substitute Innocent Media were on target for Arua Hill.

Hussein Mwanje scored Tooro United’s consolation as the side’s losing streak went up to seven league games.

Leku fired Arua Hill into the lead in the 2nd minute, heading home a well-delivered corner from Junior Andama.

Andama, Sharif Saaka, and Bright Vuni all had chances in the first half to extend the lead against sorry Tooro United but they put chances to waste.

After the break, Ssekamatte doubled the lead thanks to Richard Matovu’s assist. Media then found the third before Mwanje got the consolation.

Arua Hill moves to the sixth position in the table with 13 points from 8 matches while Tooro United remains 15th with 4 points from 9 matches.

Next Up

Arua Hill will be away to Soltilo Bright Stars on Friday, 10th December while Tooro United will host Bul FC at Buhinga Stadium on the same day.

Starting XIs

Arua Hill SC: Rogers Omedwa, Richard Matovu, Bright Vuni, Toha Rashid, Geriga Atendele, Ibrahim Faizul, Ndihabwe David, Junior Andaman,, Sharif Ssaaka, Samuel Ssekamate, Alfred Leku

Tooro Utd FC: Lukyamauci Kenneth, Murungi Rogers, Segonja Ponsiano, Kagogwe Apollo, Lubanjwa Gerald, Muwanja Hussein, Mubiru Ronald, Nusbuga Mark, Pirwot Julius, Mutoni Majid, Gabite Hamis

All Sunday Results

• Vipers SC 2-2 KCCA FC
• Arua Hill SC 3-1 Tooro United
• UPDF 2-1 Bright Stars

Bobosi Byaruhanga scored a thunderbolt in the 88th minute to rescue a point for Vipers against KCCA in the top of the table clash at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

Byaruhanga’s long-range drive smashed the inside of the crossbar and into the goal, and second assistant referee Dick Okello rightly signaled for goal.

Sadat Anaku gave KCCA the lead with a well-taken goal after receiving the ball from Davis Kasirye.

Vipers threatened through Allan Kayiwa, Mazonki, and Milton Karisa but it was KCCA who came close again with Kasirye forcing a save out of Fabien Mutombora.

Ceasar Manzoki found the equalizer for Vipers in the 27th minute after a good interplay with Milton Karisa.

Changes were made by both managers after the break. Vipers first change saw Karim Watambala replace Bright Anukani while Morley Byekwaso introduced Yaser Mugerwa and Gift Ali for Arafat Usama and Rogers Mato respectively.

It took Mugerwa just ten minutes to fire KCCA into the lead again with a volley from just outside the area after a cutback from Innocent Wafula.

KCCA choose to sit back and play on the counter after regaining their lead and Roberto Oliviera then reacted by bringing on Ibrahim Orit and later Daniel Sserunkuma in search of the leveller.

With just two minutes to the end of regulation time, Fufa Player of the Year Byaruhanga scored a screamer after he intercepted a headed clearance and fired from about 25 yards.

KCCA maintained top spot with 23 points, six ahead of second-placed Vipers who have played a game less.

Next Up

Vipers’ next game is a trip to Jinja to face Busoga United on 11th December while KCCA will host struggling Police at the MTN Omondi Stadium a day earlier.

All Sunday Results

• Vipers SC 2-2 KCCA FC
• Arua Hill SC 3-1 Tooro United
• UPDF 2-1 Bright Stars

UPDF Football Club will be looking to win three consecutive games for the first time this season when they host Bright Stars in Bombo.

The Army side beat Busoga United 2-1 at home and a recorded a 4-2 victory away against Tooro United at Buhinga.

The Army side has been decent at with wins against Express, Mbarara City and Tooro United as well as recording a draw with Gadaffi FC.

Bright Stars have been poor and they visit Bombo on a back of a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Wakiso Giants but they will be looking of the season.

Stars have lost to Mbarara City, Gadaffi FC and Wakiso Giants on the road with their only point away from home coming against Busoga United in a goalless draw.

The last time they met last season, Bright Stars hammered UPDF 3-0 at Kavumba Recreation Ground with goals from Samuel Ssekamatte, Sulaiman Ssebunza and Jamil Kisitu. The second leg at the Bombo Military Barracks Ground was not played due to Covid-19.

All Sunday Fixtures (Kickoff: 3:00 pm)

• UPDF vs Bright Stars – Bombo
• Vipers vs KCCA – Kitende
• Arua Hill Vs Tooro United – Barifa

Former Uganda Cranes coach Csaba László has revealed how he still holds star David Obua with high regard after signing him at Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian.

Csaba and Obua first worked together on the national team before the former opened doors for him to play top club football in Scotland.

Obua first landed a trial with Premier League club West Ham United after expiry of his contract at Kaizer Chiefs. He was later granted a work permit and signed for Hearts on 6th August 2008.

After 18 months in charge, having been at odds with club owner Vladimir Romanov over a lack of funds for new players, Csaba left Hearts.

When Csaba – who spoke to World Football Index’s Callum MacFadden – looks back at the time, he feels Obua’s spell at the club was successful.

“My team had top players such as Lee Wallace and Christophe Berra who went on to play for the national team. Michael Stewart was also a top professional who captained the side very well.

“The Scottish players treated me with respect and I loved working with the young players from our academy too. I wanted to show them that there was a path to the first team.

“I also brought David Obua with me to the club too and he never let me down.”

Obua went on to even have a better spell with new manager Jim Jefferies – playing as central striker. He left in April 2012 when he was informed that his contract with Hearts would not be extended.