2025 AFCON Qualifiers | Result

• Uganda 1-0 South Sudan

Bevis Mugabi scored the all-important goal as Uganda Cranes secured a 1-0 victory against South Sudan in the AFCON Qualifiers encounter at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

In the game that was played on Friday evening, Uganda Cranes had to dig deep to secure maximum points on the day.

Uganda kicked off on the front foot through the left flank, seeking an early opener, but South Sudan’s backline stood firm.

In the 25th minute, Ronald Ssekiganda carelessly lost possession in the middle park, but Alfred Leku’s effort went wide of the frame.

At the half-hour mark, Kenneth Ssemakula was fouled steps away from the box, but Rogers Mato skied his effort.

Four minutes later, Leku’s powerful effort forced Uganda Cranes custodian Isima Watenga in a full stretch save.

At the beginning of the second stanza, Paul Put made two changes bringing on Allan Okello and Bobosi Byaruhanga for Travis Mutyaba and Ronald Ssekiganda.

Mugabi broke the deadlock in the 47th minute after guiding the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Jude Ssemugabi’s header off Allan Okello’s sweet delivery was saved by South Sudan’s goalkeeper Juma Jenaro Amuk but Mugabi was close to poke it in.

Halidi Lwaliwa made a goalline clearance to deny South Sudan a late equaliser.

The victory takes Uganda Cranes to seven points in three games, which is sure a thrilling report card.

Starting XI: Isima Watenga, Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halidi Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi, Rogers Mato

AFCON Qualifiers | Half Time

• Uganda 0-0 South Sudan

After 45 minutes of thrilling action, South Sudan has still held Uganda Cranes to a goalless draw in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers encounter at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Friday.

Paul Put made two changes in the starting lineup as he introduced Halidi Lwaliwa and Jude Ssemugabi for Elio Capradossi and Muhammad Shaban.

Uganda kicked off on the front foot through the left flank, seeking an early opener, but South Sudan’s backline stood firm.

In the 25th minute, Ronald Ssekiganda carelessly lost possession in the middle park but Alfred Leku’s effort went wide of the frame.

At the half-hour mark, Kenneth Ssemakula was fouled steps away from the box but Rogers Mato skied his effort after being set up by Travis Mutyaba from the resultant freekick.

Four minutes later, Leku’s powerful effort forced Uganda Cranes custodian Isima Watenga in a full stretch save.

Before the break, Mato was tripped in the dangerous zone but the referee waved play-on noticing no foul.

Starting XI: Isima Watenga, Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Halidi Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Ronald Ssekiganda, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi, Rogers Mato

AFCON U-20 Qualifiers | Results

• Uganda 2-2 South Sudan
• Burundi 3-2 Ethiopia

Uganda U-20 National Team shared spoils with South Sudan in the U-20 CECAFA Zonal AFCON Qualifiers on Friday in Tanzania.

John Paul Dembe continued his impressive run scoring a brace just like he did in the game against Burundi.

The gaffer Matia Lule made three changes, introducing Sowedi Lwenda, John Innocent Kisolo and Bashir Mansur in the starting lineup.

Uganda Hippos kicked off with great pace as they were seeking an early opener in the game.

Forward John Paul Dembe broke the deadlock in the 15th minute to place Uganda in the driving seat.

Six minutes later, Dembe doubled Uganda’s lead with a delightful finish that left South Sudan’s backlines helpless.

In the 31st minute, Emmanuel Swoka pulled one back for South Sudan and the game gave the side lots of confidence.

In the second stanza, South Sudan started on the front foot but goalkeeper Abdu Maganda was equal to the challenge.

However, the introduction of Johnson Kabagambe and Godfrey Ssekibengo balanced the game.

Patrick Valentino levelled matters in the 89th minute to secure a golden point for South Sudan.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named the team that will take on South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at Namboole.

Halid Lwaliwa is back in the starting XI after sitting out the game against Congo last month.

Jude Ssemugabi who came off the bench to score against Congo has been rewarded with a starting place.

Isama Watenga starts in goal and will be shielded by the back line of Aziz Kayondo at left back, Kenneth Ssemakula at right back with Bavis Mugabi and Lwaliwa pairing up in the center of defense.

Skipper Khalid Aucho and Ronald Ssekiganda will marshal the midfield with Travis Mutyaba in the creative role.

Kitara Football Club duo of Denis Omedi and Ssemugabi are joined by Rogers Mato to complete the front three who will search for goals.

AFCON U-20 Qualifiers | Fixture

• Uganda vs South Sudan – 4 PM

Uganda U-20 National Team is set to take on South Sudan in the AFCON U20 Qualifiers at KMC Stadium in Tanzania on Friday.

The Hippos have secured two victories against Ethiopia (3-0) and Burundi (4-1) in the games played in the groups so far.

Uganda’s Allan Oyirwoth revealed that they want to end the group on a high to maintain the winning streak alive.

“We want to win every game. That’s why we are here. We have already qualified, but we want to keep the winning streak alive,” he said.

“We have prepared well. The players are in good shape. It’s the time to show what we are capable of so that we make our nation proud,” he added.

The gaffer Matia Lule is expected to make some changes today to give other players a chance to take part in the action.

It’s worth to note, the two finalists will secure a spot in the forthcoming U-20 AFCON tournament.

AFCON 2025 Qualifiers | Fixture

• Uganda vs South Sudan – 7 PM

Uganda Cranes will take on South Sudan in the AFCON Qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Friday evening.

Uganda comes into the encounter with four points after a draw against South Africa and a victory against Congo Brazzaville.

The gaffer, Joseph Paul Put, has confidence that his troops will deliver despite how tough it will be.

“I have the confidence in the players. I have seen them at the training ground. We have a young team, and we lack experience in some positions, but we are ready,” he stated.

“But with the support of the fans, it always pushes the fans to a higher level. We have been working very hard, and it’s an opportunity for the new members to showcase their talents,” he added.

South Sudan has not yet picked a point after playing two games, losing to Congo Brazzaville and South Africa.

Team News

Taddeo Lwanga, Shafic Kwikiriza, Gavin Kizito and Derrick Nsibambi wait to play their first game under the tutelage of the Belgian gaffer.

On the other hand, South Sudan will miss the services of skipper Peter Maker Manyang and right-back Joseph Dhata.

Head to head

The two sides have met on six occasions. Uganda has picked four wins, drawing once and losing once.

South Sudan has won once in the last 10 international games they have played.

Uganda’s National U-20 Team, christened Hippos, has made it two wins in two games at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

In the Cecafa U20 Championship Group B contest played at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, the Hippos beat Burundi 4-1 thanks to John Paul Dembe’s first-half brace and two own goals from Samir Kaskile and Ramazani Hakizimana.

Uganda got a dream start as Salemani headed the ball into his own net inside three minutes off Steven Namaisi’s long throw-in.

Fifteen minutes later, the Hippos were celebrating again after Dembe’s volley. The forward controlled a long ball from center-back Louis Anguti and fired home Uganda’s second of the game.

Dember got his second and Uganda’s third in the 23rd minute through a header thanks to Allan Oyirowth’s pin-point delivery.

After the break, Burundi started strong but it was the Hippos who got the fourth after Hakizimana, under pressure from Oyirwoth, turned Swabiri Mpasa’s cross from the left past his goalkeeper.

Christopher Ndeyikengurukiye pulled a goal back for Burundi from close range in the 62nd minute.

Uganda Hippos Line-Up

Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato has sounded a warning ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ties against South Sudan.

In an interaction with the media after Tuesday’s training session, Mato said the team is mentally and physically prepared for the match to be played on Friday night at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

“The boys are in shape and willing to give 100 per cent. We are very well prepared mentally and physically and we are ready to give in 100 per cent in these upcoming games,” Mato said.

South Sudan’s squad is comprised of players who play or have played in the Uganda Premier League and these include Francis Onekalit, Rashid Toha, Geriga Atendele, Rashid Okocha, Emmanuel Loki, Gadafi Wahab, Tito Okello, Francis Onekalit and Alfred Leku.

“They are [our] friends, they are brothers, they play in this [Uganda Premier] League. We respect them but the friendship will end outside the pitch but on the pitch, it is all about business.

“We want to go to the Africa Cup of Nations so, there will be no friendship and brotherhood on the pitch,” Mato added.

A scorer in the qualifiers’ opening match against South Africa, Mato says he is hungry for more goals as he wants his country to be proud of him.

“I still want to score for my nation, I want my family to be proud of me I want to give 100 per cent every time I’m on the national team.”

The return leg will be played at Juba Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.

AFCON U20 Qualifiers | Result

• Uganda 3-0 Ethiopia
• Burundi 1-0 South Sudan

Uganda National U-20 secured a 3-0 victory against Ethiopia in the U-20 AFCON Qualifiers at Azam Complex, Dar es Salaam, on Monday.

Godfrey Ssekibengo, Swabir Mpasa, and Innocent Kisolo were on target as Uganda sealed maximum points on the day.

Agile midfielder, Ssekibengo fired the Hippos in the lead in the 23rd minute.

Before going into the long break, Mpasa doubled Uganda’s lead as the boys in yellow took full control of the game.

In the second half, Uganda kept on the front foot as they kept hungry to extend their lead in front of a small crowd.

At the death of the game, Kisolo’s effort was deflected into the back of the net by Ethiopia’s Biniyam Bubulo.

Uganda will return to action on Wednesday as they take on Burundi at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Uganda is pitted in Group B alongside Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• Maroons 1-0 Lugazi

Maroons registered a 1-0 victory against Lugazi in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Prison Grounds in Luzira on Sunday.

Brian Omirambe scored the only goal to give Maroons their maiden victory of the 2024-25 campaign.

It was a closely contested game from the first minute until the hosts broke the deadlock deep in the game.

In the 89th minute, Derrick Basoga’s deader was denied by Lugazi right back Gift Lubega’s hand on the near post.

The referee was in the right position to see what happened before he pointed straight at the penalty spot.

In the same spirit, he dished Lubega a second yellow card that saw him off the field of play.

Omirambe stepped up to the occasion before he sent the custodian the wrong way.

The victory takes Maroons to the 11th position with five points out of the possible 12.

Lugazi is stuck on the bottom of the log with one point after playing four games.