Caesar Manzoki netted a double as Vipers Sports Club eased past Police FC to book a place in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final.

The Venoms had prepared more than Cops going into the match and it showed throughout the game.

Manzoki caught off-colour Hassan Muhamood to score the first and added the second in the second half when he squeezed an effort past Tom Ikara.

Police suffered an early setback when Ikara picked an injury in the second minute of the game following a collision with Manzoki but the shot-stopper laboured on until the end as the side did not have a substitute goalkeeper.

Only Yusuf Ssozi and Tony Mawejje played well for Police with the rest looking rusty and unfit especially Muhamood who gave away the ball cheaply on several occasions.

Mawejje came close twice with one of his efforts hitting the woodwork.

Earlier in the game, Ikara had denied Manzoki in a one-on-one and also kept out Milton Karisa and Disan Galiwango’s efforts.

Vipers await the winner between Express and BUL who face off on Thursday at the same ground. The final will be played on Sunday.

Team Line-ups

Police FC XI: Tom Ikara, Hassan Mahmood, Tonny Mawejje, Yusuf Ssozi, Ruben Kimera, Samuel Kayongo, Muwada Mawejje, Eric Ssenjobe, Herman Waswa, Duncan Seninde, Kiryowa.

Substitutes: Tonny Kiwalazi, Fahad Kizito, Arnold Ssembuya, Mubaraka Nsubuga, Brian Mululi

Vipers SC XI: Fabien Mutombora, Paul Willa, Disan Galiwango, Bashir Asiku, Livingstone Mulondo, Siraje Ssentamu, David Bagoole, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Milton Kalisa, Yunus Ssentamu, Ceaser Manzoki.

Substitutes: Denis Kiggundu, Paul Mucureezi, Karim Watambala, Dan Sserunkuma, Aziz Kayondo, Jacob Okao, Ibrahim Orit

Arua Hill Sports Club announced the signing of Bright Joseph Vuni.

The 23-year-old defender joined the Uganda Premier League newcomers on a four-year deal from UPDF FC.

Vuni who can play in central defence and at right back with high positional awareness is happy to return home to Arua City.

“[I’m] happy to sign for the home side because it’s a dream come true,” Vuni told the club media.

“Ever since leaving my place of birth, I’ve played away and haven’t had the chance to express myself and share what I have with my own people. This move will actualize my dream.

“I hope to do great for the club and I know some years from now, I would have achieved much for Arua Hill and myself too.”

Vuni played in the Buganda Masaza Cup for Mawogola in 2018, played for Regional League side Young Simba in the 2019-20 season before joining UPDF for the 2020-21 season.

• Tuesday, 21st September
• Vipers Vs Police – FUFA Technical Center, Njeru 3:00pm

Vipers and Police face off in the semifinals of the 2020-21 Stanbic Uganda Cup on Tuesday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

The two teams will be returning to competitive action for the first time after nearly three months since the competitions were put on hold due to Covid-19.

A lot has changed since the last meeting between these two sides in the league at Kitende, a match Vipers won 3-2 with Police’s goalie Derrick Ochan controversially sent off.

Derrick Kakooza, Denis Rukundo, and Henry Katongole have since moved on from Police while there has been a change of guard at Vipers with Brazilian Roberto Oliveira taking charge assisted by Marcelo Cardoso.

Ahead of the tie, Police head coach Abdallah Mubiru says they have not had enough preparations but insists that’s no excuse.

“Playing at the semi-finals motivates everyone at the club especially the players.  At the start of every season, it’s everyone’s dream to win something at the end and this would be a cover-up for missing the league title. We have not got enough preparations due to COVID-19 but we will not give it as an excuse,” Mubiru said during the prematch presser.

On the other hand, Cardoso says players are not at the fitness level they would like them to be but they are ready for the encounter.

“After three weeks of work, we are happy and set for the encounter against Police FC. Players are working very hard and there is improvement thus everything is going according to our plans.

“We are not yet fit but with the players’ dedication in training, there is a big improvement for the time we have been with them and we believe we are ready to play our opponents Police FC,” said the Vipers assistant coach.

The match will be played behind closed doors but it will be broadcast live on UBC TV.

Davis Kasirye has joined KCCA Football Club on a short term deal

The forward has joined the Lugogo side on a one-year deal with an option of further renewal after that one year.

Kasirye who has previously played for Vipers SC, DC Motema Pembe (DRC), Zesco United (Zambia), Rayon Sports (Rwanda), and URA FC joins from army side UPDF.

The towering forward is delighted to join the 13-time Premier League champions

I am happy to join KCCA FC. I want to work hard and take the team back greater heights. I know it has been two years since the club won a major trophy and as a forward automatically I know I have to score goals to push the team to win silverware. The club has got great players and I know together we can achieve so much.

Davis Kasirye

Kasirye becomes the 11th signing for the Kasasiro during this window joining Brian Majwega, Brian Kayanja, Geofrey Wasswa, Emmanuel Wasswa, Usama Arafati, Yassar Mugerwa, Innocent Esimu, Rogers Mato, Derrick Ochan, and Benjamin Ochan.

Sixteen-time Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa have officially unveiled Petros Koukouras as the head coach.

Koukouras will work alongside Jackson Magera Kaddu (first assistant coach), Richard Amatre (second assistant coach), Phillip Ssozi (Youth team coach), and Mubarak Kiberu as goalkeeping coach.

“Sports Club Villa is the most successful club and I could not resist the offer when they approached me.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us and it is not the right time to do the talking. I am ready to handle the team backed by my assistants and drive the club ahead.

“The target is to finish as high as possible, improve the young players,” Koukouras said at his unveiling.

Koukouras is a UEFA A Diploma holder who is also a member of the FA Licensed coaches’ club He graduated from the University of Greenwich with Bachelors in Sports Science and a Masters in Strength and Conditioning.

Shawn Mubiru, the club Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in the abilities of Koukouras and his entire technical staff.

“Sports Club Villa has a very rich history that we ought to build upon. The new technical team led by Petros Koukouras is here to work. They are competent and ready to work to deliver the club to its previous past,” Mubiru said.

Express Football Club suffered an early exit from the CAF Champions League on Sunday at the hands of Al Merrikh.

The Red Eagles lost the return leg to the Sudanese outfit 1-0 and exited the competition on away goals rule despite the tie being tied at 2-2 on aggregate.

Express captain Enock Walusimbi admits the Red Eagles lost concentration in the build-up to Al Merrikh’s goal that bundled the team out of the continent’s premier club competition.

Ahmed Hamid was on target for the only goal of the return leg match in the 73rd minute to give the hosts advantage as the first leg ended 2-1 at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende.

“Al Merrikh used their chance because we lost concentration in the closing stages and they scored,” said Walusimbi after the match. “That said, the boys gave their all, we shall learn from this loss and bounce back better,” he added.

Express will now turn focus to the Uganda Cup with a semifinal clash against BUL FC coming up on Thursday this week.

• Al Merrikh 1-0 Express (Agg: 2-2)

Express Football Club has been knocked out of the CAF Champions League.

The Uganda Premier League Champions lost to Sudanese outfit Al Merrikh 1-0 in Obeid, marking the end of their journey on away goals rule.

Ahmed Hamid scored the all-important goal for Al Merrikh in the 73rd minute of the flood-lit game at Al-Ubayyid Stadium – Shikan Castle.

Al Merrikh’s away goal at Kitende last weekend proved to be important with the hosts going into the game needing just a single strike to nil to progress to the first round and will face Zambia’s Zanaco.

Express will now turn their focus to completing a league and cup double. The Red Eagles take on BUL in the semifinals of the Uganda Cup on Thursday.

Express XI: Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Enock Walusimbi (Captain), Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, John Byamukama, Mahad Yaya, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Eric Kambale, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Martin Kizza

Subs: Denis Otim, Denis Mubuya, Ivan Mayanja, George Senkaaba, Charles Musiige, Daniel Shebene, Abel Eturude, Joseph Akandwanaho

• Ethiopian Coffee 1-3 URA FC (Agg: 2-5)

URA Football Club beat Ethiopian Coffee 3-1 to advance to the second preliminary round of the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup.

The Tax Collectors followed up the 2-1 win at Kitende with a 3-1 victory to sail through to the second round with a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Despite being outplayed and sitting back in the first half, Cromwell Rwothomio put the URA in the lead when he was played through by Shafiq Kagimu. The forward scored from a rebound after his initial shot was kept out by the goalie.

The tie was all but done before the hour-mark when URA FC scored two quick-fire goals courtesy of Ashraf Mandela and Kagimu to lead 3-0 (and 4-0 on aggregate).

Full back Mandela found himself inside the box to net the second goal of the game in the 52nd, and three minutes later, the skipper was at the end of Mukwala’s ball.

Ethiopian Coffee pulled one back from the spot with 20 minutes to play thanks to Asrat Tunjo.

The Tax Collectors will now meet Egyptian side Al Masry who got a bye at the first preliminary stage.

Al Masry were knocked out by KCCA FC in 2017 at the Playoff Round but has since made major strides in the competition.

URA will host the first leg between October 15-17 and the return fixture will be played a week later.

URA XI: Nafien Alionzi (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Derrick Ndahiro, Fesali Najib, Hudu Mulikyi, Patrick Paul Mbowa, Joackiam Ojera, Shafik Kagimu (Captain), Said Kyeyune, Steven Mukwala, Cromwel Rwothomio

Subs: James Alitho (G.K), Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ronald Kigongo, Faruku Katongole, Ibrahim Juma Dada, Living Kabon, Viane Ssekajugo, Ivan Sserubiri, Moses Sseruyidde

URA Football Club is set to take on Ethiopian Coffee in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Sunday, September 19 at Bahir Dar International Stadium.

The Tax Collectors go into the game hoping to build on the 2-1 win in the earlier encounter played at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende last Sunday.

Viane Ssekajugo twice set up Steven Mukwala to score a brace for the home side before William Solomon Tesfay got the away goal for the visitors in the second half.

For better preparations, the Tax Collectors left the country for Ethiopia on Thursday night and have since had training sessions at the proposed venue.

URA captain Shafik Kagimu revealed that all is going on well and the team will be ready to complete the job in Ethiopia.

“We arrived safely at Bahir Dar, regardless of every other thing, all our focus is on the Sunday game,” Kagimu said after the first training in Ethiopia.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to be flexible and adapt to every new situation, the environment, the food, and everything,” Kagimu said.

“I can say so far that we have been doing so well, and we are perfectly prepared for the game,” he added.

The winner over the two legs will face Egyptian outfit Al-Masry.

No injuries or any other uncertainties have been reported from the URA camp so far, and Sam Timbe will have a list of over 20 players from which to choose the first eleven and his seven substitutes.

Former KCCA Football Club defender Samuel Kato Nemeyimana has joined Rwandese side Bugesera Football Club.

Bugesera FC announced on Friday evening they had acquired the lanky defender in a deal that will keep him at the club until 2023.

“We are pleased to inform you that Kato Samuel Nemeyimana, a central midfielder who played for Uganda’s KCCA, is now a Bugesera FC player for the next two years,” the club said in a statement on their social media platform.

Mwiriwe neza!
Twishimiye kubamenyesha ko Kato Samuel Nemeyimana Umukinnyi wo hagati mu mutima w'ubwugarizi wakiniraga ikipe ya @KCCA yo muri Uganda 🇺🇬 ko ubu ari Umukinnyi w’ikipe ya Bugesera Fc mu gihe cy’imyaka ibiri iri imbere. pic.twitter.com/kbpd0bhPEI

— Bugesera Football Club (@Bugesera_fc) September 17, 2021

Kato made his senior debut for KCCA FC against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the group stages of the CECAFA Cup held in Rwanda in 2019, a tournament the Ugandan side won.

Having played at the highest level, the 22-year-old brings some experience to Bugesera who finished eighth in the 2019 season before the subsequent campaign was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kato studied at Budo SS, which he captained to win the 2018 Copa Coca-cola in Mbarara when they beat Blessed Sacrament Kimanya in the final.