FUFA Women Elite League

• Final: She Maroons 1-0 Rines SS WFC
• 3^rd Place Playoff: Wakiso Hills 1-2 Bunyaruguru Girls FC

She Maroons are the 2021 FUFA Women Elite League champions after overcoming Rines SS WFC in the final played on Thursday at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

The Prison Sentries who were scintillating throughout the tournament, however, had to dig deep to overcome a resilient Rines SS outfit.

The most important and only goal of the game came from influential striker and stand-in captain Milicent Namwembe. The Kenyan forward tucked home fifteen minutes from time, picking from a rebound after goalkeeper Elsie Najjemba had initially saved.

She Maroons were the better side, dominated the game, and created several chances that they failed to put away until the 75th minute when the deadlock was broken.

Goalscorer Namwembe, Kautharah Naluyima, and Lilian Veronica Masendi all got close but failed to beat goalkeeper Najjemba who was outstanding throughout the tournament.

For winning the Championship, She Maroons too home a cash prize of Shs. 8,000,000.

By reaching the finals, both She Maroons and Rines SS WFC advance to the 2021-22 FUFA Women Super League.

Awards

With six goals in as many games to her name, Namwembe was the top scorer of the tournament while teammate Joan Naggayi was the Most Valuable Player.

Elsie Najjemba of Rines SS was named the Best Goalkeeper while She Kataka took home the Fair Play award.

She Maroons and Rines SS WFC have earned promotion to the FUFA Women Super League, following a successful expedition in the FUFA Women Elite League.

Right from the Group stages, both She Maroons and Rines looked the better teams and lived up to the billing.

On Tuesday the two teams won their respective semi-final games to secure the two slots in next season’s FUFA Women Super League.

Rines SS WFC, in the first semifinal, overcame Bunyaruguru Girls in a closely contested affair. Normal time ended goalless but the former edged the tense penalty shootout 4-3. Halima Katushabe and Adella Aine missed for Bunyaruguru while Florence Nakalule on the other hand failed to find the target for Rines WFC.

Eva Nagayi, captain Shakira Nalule, Yuster Kayesu, and Catherine Wujja scored from the spot to guide the Wakiso based side to victory.

Coach Bright Nyanzi indicated the target has been achieved and dedicated the success to the late Richard Byamukama who passed on in March.

“We have achieved our target of qualifying to the top division. This victory is dedicated to the Late Director Richard Byamukama who fought hard to make sure this team reaches this far,” he said.

In the second semifinal, She Maroons fought hard to edge past Wakiso Hills thanks to Kautharah Naluyima’s first-half strike.

She Maroons and Rines WFC will face on Thursday to determine the Champion while Wakiso Hills and Bunyaruguru Girls will play in the third-place playoff.

Uganda Cranes started training in preparation for the international friendly match against South Africa scheduled for June 12.

Fourteen players turned up for the two-hour session held at the MTN Omondi Stadium overseen by conducted by the head coach Abdallah Mubiru alongside the assistant Charles Livingstone Mbabazi and goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba.

The training session was focused on technique and tactics as the rebuilding process for a new Uganda Cranes team starts.

Mubiru was pleased with the response of players summoned as regards fitness, confidence and dedication.

“We have started our training sessions today in preparation for the match against South Africa. This is a rebuilding process for the team as most of the senior players retired from the beautiful game on the senior team. I am however happy by the attitude, confidence and fitness of the players on the team,” said Mubiru.

All players and officials were subjected to the mandatory COVID-19 test before entering the residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi.

The team continues with training on Tuesday at Lugogo.

Fred Kajoba has resigned from his job as Vipers head coach with four games to the of the 2020-21 Uganda Premier League season.

The former UPDF FC (then Simba) and Bright Stars FC tactician informed his bosses of his decision after Monday’s training session with Uganda Cranes.

“I have resigned from the Vipers job,” Kajoba confirmed. “When I returned from the Uganda Cranes training on Monday morning, Charles Masembe (Vipers’ Technical Director) asked me to choose between club (Vipers) and national team and I made the decision to stay with Uganda Cranes,” he elaborated.

The straightforward-talking tactician has worked as Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach since his time with the army side.

“I want to thank Mulindwa for the opportunity he gave me to work at Vipers and wish everyone at the club all the best.”

At Vipers, he won the league title last season and leaves the club third on the log with 56 points, two behind leaders Express FC and in the quarterfinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

• Express 0-0 KCCA

Express Football Club and KCCA Football Club played to a goalless stalemate in the first leg of the 2021 Uganda Cup quarterfinals at Wankulukuku.

In a game of few scoring chances, the hosts will be the most aggrieved having been denied by Charles Lukwago late in the second half when he parried a well-taken free-kick by on form Eric Kambale.

The Red Eagles who are eyeing the league and cup double for the first time since 1995 also missed a good chance when skipper Enoch Walusimbi missed a free header off a Godfrey Lwesibawa corner.

Charles Lwanga who led the line in the absence of injured Sadat Anaku had the best opportunity for KCCA, heading just over the bar from Steven Sserwadda cross.

The result implies that Express will need at least a scoring draw in the return leg to advance while KCCA needs any kind of victory to reach the semifinals.

Another goalless draw will demand that kicks from the penalty mark separate the record cup holders.

Emmanuel Okwi has been handed the Uganda Cranes armband following the retirement of Denis Onyango who had been skippering the national side.

The first assignment for the Al Ittihad Alexandria striker will the international friendly game against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on June 12.

The former SC Villa and Simba striker is the most experienced in the squad that was summoned for the friendly having been in the national team set up for nearly a decade.

Okwi who played at the two Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and 2019 says it is an honour to captain he Uganda Cranes.

“Representing Uganda is a privilege that I don’t take for granted. I am deeply honoured to be named captain by the Uganda Cranes coach. I appreciate the technical bench and my teammates for their trust. I also thank all fans for their continued support to the national team,” he said.

Interim head coach Abdallah Mubiru summoned the squad for the friendly with a numbers of players getting their first summon to the senior team.

The Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Mathias Kigonya (Azam, Tanzania), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars, Uganda)

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (South End, England), Mustapha Kizza (Montreal Impact, Canada), Murushid Juuko (Express, Uganda), Patrick Paul Mbowa (URA, Uganda), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa, Uganda), Azizi Kayondo (Vipers, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Kenneth Ssemakula (Busoga United, Uganda), Enock Walusimbi (Express, Uganda), Hassan Muhamood (Police, Uganda), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City, Uganda)

Midfielders: Moses Waiswa (SuperSport United, South Africa), Tadeo Lwanga (Simba, Tanzania), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers, Uganda), Ivan Sserubiri (URA, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda), Shafik Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Isma Mugulusi (Busoga United, Uganda), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers, Uganda), Joseph Akandwanaho (Soltilo Bright Stars, Uganda)

Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou AC, Algeria), Patrick Kaddu (Youssoufia Berrechid, Morocco), Yunus Sentamu (Vipers, Uganda), Richard Basangwa (Vipers, Uganda), Derrick Kakooza (Police, Uganda), Erick Kambale (Express, Uganda)

Uganda Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru has summoned a squad of 34 players to start training ahead of an International Friendly against South Africa.

The Cranes will face the Bafana Bafana on June 10 in South Africa.

The squad has a number of players that are yet to feature for the national team as Bright Stars duo of goalkeeper Simon Tamale and forward Joseph Akandwanaho, URA’s towering defensive midfielder Ivan Sserubiri, Mbarara City’s Innocent Wafula, Express captain Enoch Walusimbi and forward Eric Kambale.

Uganda Hippos stars Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Richard Basangwa, Isma Mugulusi and Derrick Kakooza have been included following their impressive performance during the AFCON U20 Championship.

Emmanuel Okwi, the most senior player in the squad, will captain the team.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga (G.K), Charles Lukwago, Simon Tamale, Mathias Kigonya

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono, Innocent Wafula, Mustapha Kizza, Azizi Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Murushid Juuko, Gavn Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Patrick Paul Mbowa, Enock Walusimbi, Hassan Muhamood

Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa Ndohondhi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ivan Sserubiri, Bright Anukani, Shafik Kuchi Kagimu, Isma Mugulusi, Abdu Lumala, Ibrahim Orit, Joseph Akandwanaho

Forwards: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Captain), Richard Basangwa, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Derrick Kakooza, Yunus Sentamu, Erick Kenzo Kambale, Allan Okello

SC Villa rallied for a vital away goal a stalemate with Vipers in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinal played at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Tuesday evening.

Towering Ronald Ssekiganda headed home in stoppage time to cancel Lawrence Tezikya’s opener.

There were limited opportunities for Vipers who were on the front foot for most of the game with Ceasar Manzoki and Halid Lwaliwa getting half-chances in the opening forty-five minutes.

The Venoms in search of the breakthrough introduced Milton Karisa, Paul Mucureezi and Tezikya in the second half. Yunus Sentamu headed wide off Karisa’s cross and Tezikya had his shot blocked as Vipers intesified the search for the goal.

Tezikya found the breakthrough for Vipers in the 79th minute, heading in Bobosi Byaruhanga’s cross.

SC Villa responded by introducing forward Francis Olaki for Mohammed Senoga in search of the away goal. Olaki made an impact as his cross from the right was met by Ssekiganda who rose high and above evryone to node home the equalizer in stoppage time.

The return leg will be played on 2nd June 2021 at the Military Barracks Stadium in Bombo.

The 2020-21 Uganda Premier League has been reduced to a three-horse race with four rounds to play.

Express Football Club, URA Sports Club and Vipers Sports Club are three sides with a realistic chance to win first post pandemic title.

Express are top of the table with 58 points, a point ahead of second-placed URA and two clear of third-placed Vipers.

The league takes a two-week break to give for the Uganda Cup quarterfinals and here are the remaining games for each of the title challengers.

Express Football Club (58 Points)

• Wakiso (Away)
• MYDA (Home)
• Bul (Home)
• KCCA (Away)

Vipers Sports Club (56 points)

• Onduparaka (Home)
• Bul (Away)
• Police (Away)
• Kyetume (Home)

URA Sports Club (54 points)

• UPDF (Home)
• Busoga (Away)
• Kitara (Home)
• Wakiso (Away)
• MYDA (Home)

Express head coach Wasswa Bbosa and KCCA counterpart Morley Byekwaso are confident their teams will put up a decent show in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinals.

The Red Eagles who host the tie at Wankuluku tomorrow are in fine form at the moment in the league, top of the table, and have a win a record six successive matches.

On the other hand, KCCA are inconsistent, far from the top in the league, and their only chance of winning silverware this season remains in the Uganda Cup.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game but as usual, we are well prepared and looking for a win,” said Bbosa.

Byekwaso also anticipates a tough clash but is aware that picking a good result away from home will enhance Kasasiro’s chances of reaching the semifinals.

“For us, the target is a draw or a win to gain the advantage,” he told the media.