Uganda Premier League Champions Express Football Club has confirmed that head coach Wasswa Bbosa has extended his contract.

The news comes as the club prepares to face Al Merrikh in the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Friday at st. Mary’s Stadium – Kitende.

Bbosa, who joined the club to replace George Ssemwogerere, had run out of contract at the end of the 2020-21 season.

The gaffer guided the Red Eagles to their first-ever CECAFA Kagame Cup last month.

“First of all, I want to thank the chairman and CEO for seeing to it that I and my backroom staff stay put for another season,” Bbosa is quoted by the club website.

“We have achieved a lot together and I believe we shall achieve more this coming season. This was bound to happen but it was only a matter of time so now it’s time to double our efforts and perform well on the continent.”

Assistant coach James Odoch and all other members of the backroom staff including goalkeeping coach Sam Kawalya, team physio Aloysius Makubuya, team doctors Godfrey Wante and Enock Kayondo have all extended their contracts, the club has confirmed.

Elvis Eddy Mwanje has been promoted to KCCA Football Club senior team.

The midfielder is a graduate of the KCCA FC Soccer Academy and is a budding talent that has shown so much promise during his time in the club’s development side.

Just like it has been a norm for the club to promote its players from the academy, Mwanje joins a list of the players that have played for the Junior side and later promoted to the senior side.

In the current first-team squad, Ali Mwirusi, Sadat Anaku, Musa Ramathan, Dominic Ayella, Peter Magambo, Herbert Achai, Kizza Bukenya, Julius Poloto, Joseph Kafumbe, and Jurua Hassan are all academy graduates.

Mwanje joined KCCA FC in 2019 and played for KCCA FC Junior Team in the FUFA Juniors League in the 2019-20 season.

The 17-year-old has made a big impression at Lugogo since he started training with the KCCA FC Senior Team in 2020 while playing in the academy.

“I feel so happy to be promoted to the KCCA FC Senior Team. From the day I walked into the soccer academy, my goal was to make it to the senior team,” Mwanje told the club media.

“I have worked so hard to see my dream come true and now that I have finally made it, I want to make sure I become a mainstay on the team.

“Big thanks to all the academy coaches that have guided me and molded me into the player I am today.”

Mwanje made his senior debut as a substitute in the Uganda Cup match against Masindi’s Doves in 2020. Since then, the teenager has not looked back and has been impressive.

In December 2020, the teenager won the CECAFA U17 Men’s Championships with the Uganda 17 side in Kigali, Rwanda.

Mwanje is also a former student of Masaka Senior Secondary, one of the partner schools of KCCA FC.

KCCA Football Club has promoted Ibrahim Juma to the Senior Team.

Juma who is also the captain of the Uganda U17 Men’s Football National Team joined KCCA FC Soccer Academy in 2017.

He represented Uganda in U17 AFCON in 2019 and has also won the CECAFA U17 Title twice in 2019 and 2020.

Juma made his senior debut against Masindi’s Doves FC during which he registered an assist in form of a cross that was met by Sadat Anaku who nodded home KCCA FC’s lone goal in the Round of 16 of the 2020 Uganda Cup.

I am so happy that I have been promoted to the senior team. It is every academy player’s dream to get promoted to the senior team. I now want to work hard to earn a slot on the team. The club has got fantastic players in Majwega and Achai. I know the kind of competition that I am going to face and I will take my chance when I am handed the opportunity

Ibrahim Juma

Juma can play as a left back and a left winger. He has got good crossing technique and an eye for goal from set-pieces.

Uganda Premier League champions Express Football Club has confirmed the signing of Deus Bukenya and Nicholas Kasozi.

Kasozi joins the Red Eagles on a season-long loan deal from Kyetume while Bukenya signed a one-year contract as a free agent.

Bukenya brings versatility to Mukwano Gw’abangi with his ability to play in central defense and holding midfield, and composure while at it.

On the other hand, Kasozi is a good distributor of the ball which complements his ball-winning attribute as a holding midfielder.

With Express returning to the continent, head coach Wasswa Boosa believes the duo should help in not only defending the league but also make an impact on the continent which he says is a priority.

“The new faces are definitely a huge addition to our squad because we all know we have to defend the league.

“We also have more games to play this season with the continent being priority so we need to have more options and I am sure the new players will certainly do a fantastic job,” Bbosa said as quoted by the club website.

Bukenya who has played for Vipers Sports Club in the past understands what is expected of him at Wankulukuku.

“I am glad to join Express FC, as everyone knows the club has done a fantastic job winning the league and Kagame Cup and I am here to simply help the team continue its dominance.

“I thank the technical team for trust and I’ll certainly repay the faith,” he said.

Kasozi who has worked with Wasswa Bbosa in the past at SC Villa says he already feels at home at Wankuluku.

“I am happy to be a Red Eagle even if not on a permanent basis but any player out there would want to be at such a club.

“I know what is expected of me on and off the pitch and I will not disappoint, the boys have welcomed me very well and I have already settled in,” said Kasozi.

Bukenya and Kasozi have been registered to future on the continent and their first assignment could be the preliminary-round tie against Sudanese outfit Al Merrikh.

Express hosts the first leg tie on Friday, September 10 at the St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende before traveling to the Sudanese capital Khartoum for the return leg on the weekend of September 17-19.

Lady Doves’ quest to play at the inaugural edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League came to an end on Monday after suffering defeat to Ethiopian side CBE.

Despite putting up a spirited fight in the semifinals of the CECAFA ZoneQualifiers, the Ugandan champions got eliminated.

Normal time ended in a one-all draw but CBE won 5-3 in the penalty shootout to advance to the finals.

Tournament leading goal scorer Loza Abera fired CBE into an early lead in the 8th-minute to take her tally to 13.

However, Ikwaput levelled matters in the second half from a well taken free kick to force the game into extra time and eventually kicks from the spot.

In the tense penalty shootout, it was midfielder Sarah Nakuya who fired wide hence helping the Ethiopian outfit. Ikwaput, Joweria Nagadya, and Norah Alupo converted their kicks.

On the other hand, CBE were perfect with Abera, Aregash Tadesse, Birtukan Ware, Alemnesh Asefa, and Ymisrach Lakew Legese all scoring.

The final to determine the team that will represent CECAFA at the final tournament will therefore be between CBE and Vihiga Queens from Kenya.

Uganda Cranes earned their second point in Group E of the African Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup that will be hosted by Qatar.

The Cranes earned a hard-fought draw against West Africans Mali at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende having played the latter part of the second half with ten men after Murushid Jjuko was given marching orders with 20 minutes to play.

Mali dominated possession for long spells of the rain-affected game but Uganda did not lose their shape at any stage of the contest played behind closed doors.

Isaac Muleme and Mustafa Kizza tested Mali’s goalie from set-pieces as the Cranes barely created anything in open play to trouble the visitors.

Moussa Doumbia, and Adama Traore came close for Mali who dominated possession but didn’t create clear-cut chances.

Mali leads the group standings with four points followed by Kenya with two points just like third-place Uganda while Rwanda, who the Cranes face next, are bottom with one point.

Uganda Cranes will face Rwanda in October.

Team Line-ups

Uganda Cranes XI: Ismail Watenga, Denis Iguma, Isaac Muleme, Enock Walusimbi, Murushid Juuko, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Milton Karisa, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, Derrick Nsibambi, Joseph Benson Ochaya.

Substitites: Charles Lukwago (GK), Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Innocent Wafula, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Abdul Aziizi Kayondo, Ibrahim Orit, Richard Basangwa, Steven Desse Mukwala, Yunus Sentamu, Mustapha Kizza, Moses Waiswa, Kenneth Semakula

Mali XI: Ibrahima Bosso (GK), Hamali Traore, Charles Traore, Falaye Sacko, Boubacar Kouyate, Diadie Samaskou, Haidara Amadou, Mohamed Camara, Moussa Doumbia, Adama Traore, Kone Ibrahima

Substitutes: Mohamed Niaf, Ismail Diarra, Mamadou Fofana, Senou Coulibaly, Mahame Siby, Aliou Deng, Cheikh Doucoure, Adama Traore, Kouame Ngussan, Hamidou Sinayoko, Lassine Sinayoko, Mahamadou Doucoure

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovich has named the team that will face Mali at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende in a World Cup Qualification tie.

Micho made three changes to the Uganda Cranes team that started against Kenya last week, a game that ended goalless.

Ismail Watenga comes in for Charles Lukwago between the posts, Enock Walusimbi starts in central defense for injured Halid Lwaliwa while Moses Waiswa paves way for Derrick Nsibambi.

After a goalless draw against Kenya, Uganda Cranes will be seeking maximum points.

Uganda Cranes XI (Shirt Numbers in Brackets): Isima Bin Rashid Watenga (19), Denis Iguma (12), Isaac Muleme (20), Enock Walusimbi (16), Murushid Juuko (4), Khalid Aucho (8), Bobosi Byaruhanga (6), Milton Karisa (13), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi – Captain, 7), Derrick Nsibambi (9), Joseph Benson Ochaya (2)

Subs: Charles Lukwago (18), Joel Mutakubwa (1), Innocent Wafula Esimu (14), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (5), Abdul Aziizi Kayondo (3), Ibrahim Orit (11), Richard Basangwa (22), Steven Desse Mukwala (10), Yunus Sentamu (17), Mustapha Kizza (21), Moses Waiswa Ndohondi (23), Kenneth Semakula (15)

Uganda Cranes and Vipers SC forward Shaban Muhammad could be on the way back to boyhood side Onduparaka Football Club.

The Caterpillars’ head of communications Godfrey Drabe hinted at the possibility during an interview with Arua FM on Sunday.

“It’s true we have been in talks with Vipers about Muhammad Shaban and we shall let the public know when the time is right,” said Drabe.

The former Raja Casablanca forward joined the Vipers at the start of the 2019-20 season following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with the Moroccan giants.

During his two-year stay in Casablanca, the enigmatic forward made just seven appearances and scoring just once.

The move to Kitende appeared to offer Shaban a shot at redemption for but his stay at the club has been hampered with injuries.

And now, the move to where it all started for him (in Arua city) is on the cards.

Uganda Cranes skipper Emmanuel Arnold Okwi says the team needs to collect maximum points against Mali in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Cranes host Mali on Monday at the St. Mary Stadium in Kitende in their second game of Group E.

Okwi stressed the need during the pre-match press conference held at the Fufa House in Mengo on Sunday, 5th September saying the team is ready.

“We are ready and everyone in the camp is good to go and ready to give their best in tomorrow’s game,” said the forward.

The Cranes started their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Kenya last Thursday at Nyayo National Stadium.

“We already have something in the bag, so we shall be looking forward to building on that.

“All we want is to add on the three points against Mali so as to get a direction in these Qualifiers.”

Okwi didn’t return for the second half against Kenya due to injury and will need to have late fitness tests to start against Mali.

KCCA Football Club has announced the signing of goalkeeper Derrick Ochan.

The custodian joins on a three-year deal from Police FC where he spent the entire 2020-21 season.

Ochan is a product of the FUFA Juniors League having played for Vipers Junior Team and later joined the senior team where he played for four years.

Ochan left Vipers in 2020 and joined Police FC where he spent last season.

The shot-stopper is ready to challenge for the starting place between the goalposts at Lugogo.

I am very happy to join KCCA FC. This is one of the biggest clubs in the region and playing for a club like this is special. My focus is now to try and settle in quickly and compete with my colleagues. The competition here is so evident and one has got to work hard to earn his place on the team.

Derrick Ochan

Ochan is the 9th signing for KCCA FC in this window joining Brian Majwega, Brian Kayanja, Geofrey Wasswa, Emmanuel Wasswa, Usama Arafati, Yassar Mugerwa, Innocent Wafula, and Rogers Mato.