Uganda U20 Women’s National Team will be targeting a good start in the quest to qualify for the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup due next year in Costa Rica.

The first hurdle is against neighbours Kenya at the first round and the two sides face off on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the first leg.

Uganda U20 head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi knows how much getting a good result on the road means and believes his charges are in the perfect shape to do so.

“I believe we have had the best of preparations since we entered the camp. The players are in the perfect shape and ready for the task ahead of them,” Kiyingi said after the last training at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

“Our target is to secure the best result here and go back to Kampala with a positive result. I know we have the ability to do so,” he added.

Team captain Fauzia Najjemba also says they are in perfect condition to execute what the coaches have taught them in the last two weeks.

“As players, we are prepared and ready to face Kenya. Our target is to earn victory here and go back home with a win.”

The return leg in Kampala is slated for 8th October and the winner on aggregate will advance to the next round.

At the next stage, Kenya or Uganda will face either South Africa or Mozambique.

Vipers Sports Club has confirmed the signing of Bright Anukani from Proline Football Club after playing out his season-long loan at KCCA Football Club.

Anukani joins the Venonms on a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is delighted to join the Kitende-based side.

“I am delighted to have signed for this great club,” Anukani told the club media.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Proline FC and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past seasons. However, when Vipers SC come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity,” he added.

Anukani has already trained with the club and is excited by the plans of new head coach Roberto Oliveira.

“From my conversations with the head coach on day one in training, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team.

“It’s clear to see that Robertinho is building a team to win. I am now looking forward to more pre-season training, friendlies, and getting the 2021-22 season started.”

Quick Profile

• Full Name: Bright Anukani
• Date of Birth: 20th June, 2000
• Nationality: Ugandan
• Age: 21yrs
• Weight: 64kgs
• Height: 5ft
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Club: Vipers SC

Former Vipers Sports Club midfielder Abraham Ndugwa is off to Serbia and set to join First League side FK Budućnost Dobanovci.

Ndugwa, released by Vipers last month after playing out his three-year contract at Kitende, says it’s a dream come true for him to play in Europe.

“It is a dream come true to play in Europe. This is the start of my journey in life. I will continue working hard,” Ndugwa said prior to his departure.

He is expected to sign a three-year deal with the club that competes in the second tier of the Serbia national league system.

The former Entebbe Football Club and Masavu Football Club attacking midfielder joined Vipers in 2018 and scored 10 goals in 41 appearances.

During his stay with the Venons, he won the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Pilsner Super 8. He notably scored against Al-Merrikh to send Vipers to the second round of the CAF Champions League in 2018.

Ndugwa had earlier been linked to moves to UPL sides SC Villa, Wakiso Giants, and Express.

Uganda Cranes Regional Tours (Eastern Region):

Saturday, 25th September 2021: Eastern Region Select Vs Uganda Cranes | At Mbale Municipal Stadium (4 PM)

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has summoned three more players from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Football Club ahead of the regional tour engagement against Eastern select at Mbale Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Forward Happy Sadat Anaku, Ashraf Mugume and Rogers Mato are have been added to the outfit that departs Kampala on Friday morning.

Micho made the revelations after the team’s only training session on Thursday at the Kabira Country club, Bukoto.

Five players out:

Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Vianey Ssekajugo, Cromwell Rwothomio, Kenneth Semakula and Steven Desse Mukwala will not be part of the domestic trip to Mbale.

Rwothomio opted out forchose to exit the squad preparing for the games due to personal reasons as he traveled back to Paidha in Zombo district.

Mukwala is nursing an injury while Kizito, Ssekajugo and Semakula are out due to technical reasons.

Uganda Cranes team to Eastern Uganda:

Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars), Jack Komakech (Vipers)

Defenders: Innocent Wafula (KCCA), Ashraf Mandela (URA), George Kaddu (Wakiso Giants), Herbert Achai (KCCA), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Geofrey Wasswa (KCCA),Musa Ramathan (KCCA), Najib Fesali (URA), Patrick Mbowa (URA)

Midfielders: Shafik Kagimu (URA), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Ibrahim Wamanna (UPDF), Julius Poloto (KCCA), Joackim Ojera (URA), Mubaraka Nsubuga (Police)

Forwards: Happy Sadat Anaku (KCCA), Jude Ssemugabi (Mbarara City), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA), Davis Kasirye (KCCA)

BUL Football Club is through to the Uganda Cup final after beating Express Football Club 1-0 at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru.

Owen Mukisa scored the only goal of the Thursday afternoon clash, curling in past goalkeeper Denis Otim, after a poor clearance from Issa Lumu midway through the opening half.

The Red Eagles who only returned to the country on Tuesday morning after CAF Champions League elimination by Al-Merrikh were off the pace and barely created clear-cut opportunities.

Express best chance of the game fell to George Ssenkaaba whose header was ruled out for offside midway in the second half.

BUL who released most of their players from last season played with only two substitutes, John Okurutu and Ambrose Kirya who made the squad for the first time since recovering from a long-term injury, did just enough to win the game.

BUL will meet Vipers, who eliminated Police, in the final to be played at the same ground on Sunday, 26th September.

Team Line-ups

BUL FC XI: Sanon Mulabi (G.K), Allan Kigundu, Fredson Gwoto, Godfry Akol, Aggrey Madoi, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Owen Mukisa, Thomas Kabaale, Martin Aprem, Musa Esenu, Joseph Ssemujju

Substitutes: John Okurutu, Ambrose Kirya

Express FC: Denis Otim, Enock Walusimbi, Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Mahad Yaya, John Byamukama, Muzamir Mutyaba, Martin Kizza, Eric Kambale, George Ssenkaaba.

Substitutes: Crispus Kusiima, Denis Mubuya, Richard Bbosa, Ivan Mayanja, Charles Musiige, Daniel Shabena, Abel Eturude

Following an early exit from the CAF Champions League, Express Football Club turns its focus to the Stanbic Uganda Cup when they take on BUL FC on Thursday afternoon at FUFA Technical Center in Njeru.

The Red Eagles are looking to reach the Cup final after nearly fourteen years and complete a double having claimed the league title.

BUL has been a bogy side against Express, winning seven of the previous sixteen meetings with five ending in draws.

However, Express who won the only league meeting between the sides 4-0 last term have been actively playing and are favourites to win the game.

BUL under new head coach Alex Isabirye made massive recruitments during the transfer window, signing some of the best players across the Nile but having played no competitive football the match fitness of players is low compared to their opponents.

The fact that licences from last season are considered for these cup games makes the tie even harder for BUL who lost most of the players during the transfer window.

What Coaches Say

Having been eliminated from the CAF Champions League, we are back to battle for the Uganda Cup. We learnt a lot on the continent which we have been working on as a team, everything we learnt we hope to apply beginning with the BUL game. We respect BUL, they are a good team but we want to make the final, and we believe winning the game will motivate our fans more.

Wasswa Bbosa, Express

We are going to face a good team with a good set of coaches. They are the league champions, recently won CECAFA Kagame Cup, and they have been playing at the continent. However, my young players are eager to play. They will put up a good show and I believe we shall win the game. About 70% of the players who played for us last season were released, not because they were not good but because some were out of contract while some had unlikeable characters. We are supposed to use players that have licenses for last season, therefore, we have no chance to deploy our new players. We shall now use a mix of young players from the junior team and a few seniors available.

Alex Isabirye, BUL

The winner of the game faces Vipers Sports Club in Sunday’s final.

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi named the final squad of 20 players that will travel to Nairobi, Kenya for the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Cyprus-based Juliet Nalukenge who joined the camp on Wednesday headlines the team along with skipper Fauzia Najjemba.

Kiyingi is confident the team selected will deliver in the tie against Kenya over the weekend.

“I think these are the best players we have selected to go and do the job. I have the belief that the squad selected is competent to help us secure the result we want,” he told the Fufa Media.

The first leg is scheduled for Sunday, 26th September 2021 in Nairobi while the reverse fixture will be played on 8th October in Kampala.

The team will live the country for Nairobi early morning on Thursday.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Daphine Nyayenga (Lady Doves FC), Joan Namusisi (Kampala 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), Halima Kanyago (Lady Doves FC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies)

Midfielders: Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Zaina Nandede (Kataka SHE FC), 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)

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Juliet Nalukenge(Apollon Ladies FC), Joweria Nagadya (Lady Doves FC), Eva Naggayi (Rines SS WFC)

Officials

• Leader of Delegation: Ronnie Kalema (FUFA EXCO Member)
• Head Coach: Ayub Khalifan Kiyingi
• Assistant Coach: Oliver Mbekeka
• Goalkeeping Coach: Mubarak Kiberu
• Team Doctor: Stella Nankumba
• Team Coordinator: Joan Namusisi
• Equipment Manager: Cissy Nakiguba
• Amina Bukenya: Delegate (Kampala Region)
• Citizen Nuwagaba: Delegate (Western Region)
• Media Officer: Joel Muyita

Uganda Premier League side Police Football Club has signed former player Juma Balinya.

The attacking midfielder returns to the club where he was the League top scorer during the 2018-2019 season when he scored 19 goals.

Balinya who left KCCA FC after a rough patch joins full back Eddie Kapampa and goalkeeper Sammon Oloka who also joined the Cops this window.

He was released by KCCA having joined the Lugogo-based side last year on a two years employment contract but failed to command playing time.

After his first stint with Police, Balinya made stops at Tanzanian side Yanga before moving to Kenyan giants Gor Mahia.

Uganda Premier League side SoltiloBright Stars have confirmed the return of former captain Nelson Senkatuka.

The striker left Bright Stars in September 2019 to join Moghreb Tetouan but returns to the country after a rough spell with the Moroccan side.

Senkatuka, who won the league title with KCCA Football Club in 2016, was unveiled via the club socials in a video on the local transfer deadline day.

SOLTILO Bright Stars is delighted to announced the return of Nelson Senkatuka #SBSUpdates #LetsShine pic.twitter.com/52Ydhf0IZJ

— SOLTILO Bright Stars FC (@BrightStarsFC) September 21, 2021

The pacy forward with a good eye for goal returns to the club looking to revitalize his form.

Medi Kyeyune, Fiat Cleophas, Mathias Okwalinga, and Hassan Matovu are some of the other new players Bright Stars have already added.

Simeon Masaba has returned to URA Football Club, this time in a technical capacity. 

The 38-year-old club legend will take on the head coach duties at the club.

Masaba needs no invitation at all whatsoever to talk about the importance of the URA FC badge and how important it is to don that very important URA FC jersey. 

The former Uganda Cranes right back expressed his delight at returning to the club.

“I feel proud, I feel great and I am excited to be home again,” he said to URA TV. “But still, I have to prove my worth as a coach now which I did as a player. It’s a new challenge.

“The target is to win everything with this beautiful club and I hope my experience will help in guiding the team and help the players with their discipline because representing URA is always a pleasure.

“When I was away practicing my coaching in other clubs, I was always in talks with Sam Ssimbwa and some administrators of the URA FC Board and they had promised me that I will be back at the club any time and here I am.

“I have to show my ability as a coach and help the players deliver and play well. I achieved as a player but now I have to archive in another way as a coach.”