Uganda Cranes will be marking a return to their real home Mandela National Stadium – Namboole after five years when they host Botswana and Algeria in the 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers.

First, it will be Botswana on Friday, June 7 followed by Algeria on Monday, June 10 with both matches scheduled to kick off at 7:00 pm.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put announced the training squad for the two matches and the team has been in camp since last week.

The last Fifa World Cup Qualifying campaign that Uganda Cranes hosted matches at Namboole was the qualifiers for the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which was played over three rounds.

In this article, we revisit that qualifying campaign during which the Cranes won all but one game played at Namboole.

Uganda joined the qualifiers in the second round when they were drawn against Togo. The West Africans hosted the first leg on 12th November 2015 at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, a match Uganda Cranes won 1-0 thanks to Farouk Miya’s first-half goal.

In the return leg hosted at Namboole on 15th November 2015, the Cranes won 3-0. Geoffrey Massa netted an early opener before Farouk Miya added a first-half brace for Uganda to advance to the third and final qualifying round.

The final qualifying round saw teams drawn into five groups of four whose winner would directly qualify for the global showpiece that was hosted by Russia.

Uganda was drawn into Group E alongside Congo Brazzaville, Egypt and Ghana.

Uganda’s first group game was away to Ghana at Tamale Stadium on 7th October 2016 and they held the West Africans to a goalless draw.

On 12th November 2016, the Cranes hosted Congo at Namboole and Farouk Miya was on target for the only goal of the match.

On 31st August 2017, Uganda hosted Egypt. Like the match against Congo, the Cranes won the match 1-0 but it was Emmanuel Okwi who scored the goal early in the second half. When the Cranes played visitors to Egypt in Alexandria on 5th September 2017, Uganda lost the match 1-0.

The return leg against Ghana at Namboole ended in a goalless draw and before completing the campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Congo in a match Milton Karisa netted the equalizer.

Trivia

1. Name any player on the current Uganda Cranes squad who were part of the 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign.
2. Who scored Uganda Cranes’ goal the last time they played a World Cup Qualifier at Namboole?

Uganda Premier League side URA Football Club boosted its technical wing with three new members.

Last month the Tax Collectors appointed Alex Isabirye as the head coach for the second time replacing David Obua.

Isabirye has boosted his technical bench with three names namely; Baker Ssenabulya Kasule, Crespo Asiku and Jamir Damba.

Kasule and Asiku join the Tax Collectors as the first and second assistant coaches while Damba is the new goalkeeping coach.

The appointment will give Isabirye and Kasule reunite having worked at Vipers and BUL previously. The duo always complement each other and also build winning teams.

As the trio joined the team, Robert Mukasa and Swaib Ssebagala were going through the back door. 

Mukasa and Ssebagala served the club for two seasons under the leadership of Sam Timbe (RIP) and David Obua.

After the sacking of Obua, Mukasa was asked to become the club’s interim head coach until the season’s end.

URA concluded the season in the eighth position with 40 points. 

Police Football Club have been crowned 2023-24 Fufa Big League Champions.

Police were crowned after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kataka at the Mbale City Stadium on Sunday, June 2.

Isaac Ogwang was on target for the all-important goal, a left-footed finish inside the area.

With the victory, Police took their points tally to 56 points from 27 matches, a feat that left head coach Simon Peter Mugerwa impressed.

“This is a special day for Police Football Club to be crowned as champions of the Big League. I am happy for the entire team; players, fellow coaches, management and the fans,” Mugerwa said.

Elsewhere, Lugazi Football Club beat Jinja North United 2-0 at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe courtesy of goals from Samuel Ssemugugu. It should be noted that Lugazi gained promotion to the Uganda Premier League.

Meanwhile, Mbale Heroes, the other side to be promoted to the topflight were beaten by Kiyinda Boys on the ultimate day of the Big League season.

Awards

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Denis Kalanzi (Police Football Club)
• Best Goalkeeper (Golden Gloves): Fahad Emuran (Lugazi Football Club)
• Top Scorers (Golden Boot): Isaac Ogwang (Police Football Club) & Dickson Nuwamanya (Booma Football Club) – Both 14 goals
• Fair-Play Award: Young Elephants Football Club

A fully packed Karugutu playground was treated to a thriller as Mwenge North battled Ntoroko in the MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Ntoroko County prevailed with a 3-1 win in their opening match of the 2024 tournament.

Frank Madilo, Godfrey Muhara and Ason Kaswara were on target for the victors while Dean Katwesige netted the consolation for Mwenge North who were also playing their first game of this year’s tournament.

Frank Madilo got Ntoroko’s first goal in the 31st minute of the game.

In the second half of the game, Ntoroko kept pushing and in the 51st minute, Muhara doubled the lead with a bullet header off a corner kick.

With 19 minutes from full time, Katwesige pulled a goal back for Mwenge North but Kaswara later scored the third goal for Ntoroko to put the game to bed.

Charles Mwenye, the head coach of Mwenge North, admitted Ntoroko played a good game.

“They played well throughout all the two halves and they created lots of chances and they deserved the win. We are waiting for another game at home and we shall correct a few of our mistakes,” said Mwenye.

Raphael Matte, the LC III Chairman of Karugutu Town Council, thanked MTN Uganda for supporting Tooro Kingdom activities including sponsoring the tournament.

“We continue to witness exceptional talent, and I want to thank our partners, MTN Uganda, for making this possible. Such activities require significant support, and over the years, MTN has walked this journey with us by backing several initiatives spearheaded by the Kingdom, enabling us to sustain activities like the Masaza Cup tournament year after year,” Matte said.

Next Match

On Sunday, June 9, Bunyangabu County will take on Kibale County at Kibiito SS Playground.

Uganda Cranes conducted their first training session at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole for the first time since 2019.

The team currently in a residential camp welcomed Zamalek SC attacker Travis Mutyaba who arrived in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Head coach Paul Put was happy about the day-one performance of his players, saying;

“Today was about touching the ball and gaining confidence. I was a bit surprised it went well because I saw positive things from the new players but the most important thing for us today was to get the confidence on the ball. to play a little bit out of positions.”

Players in Camp

Ronald Otti (BUL FC, Uganda), Chrispas Kusiima (Kitara FC, Uganda), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Shaban Muhammad (KCCA FC, Uganda), Joel Sserunjoji (KCCA FC, Uganda), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda), Jeans Braddy Wokorach (SC Villa, Uganda), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregainica Stip, North Macedonia), Isima Bin Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (FK Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Capradossi Elio (Calcio Lecco FC, Italy), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Nelson Senkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Uganda) and Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt).

FUFA Women’s Cup | Results

• Kampala Queens 0-1 She Corporates
• Kawempe Muslim 0(4)-0(5) Byafaayo Queens

She Corporates eliminated Kampala Queens following a 1-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the FUFA Women Cup at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

Brenda Munyana scored the only goal as She Corporates secured a ticket to the semifinals of the ongoing tournament.

Munyana fired the visitors ahead in the second minute with a powerful strike shortly after Patience Nabulobi’s defensive blunder.

Kampala Queens tried to launch several attacks, but She Corporates’ backline stood tall and calm to keep their goal area safe.

Just like it was the case last season, Kampala Queens was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Kawempe Muslim.

The Lugogo-based side will complete the season without silverware since they lost the league title to Kawempe Muslim.

She Corporates will now be in contention for the FUFA Elite League with the FUFA Women’s Cup.

Elsewhere, Byafaayo Queens (Amus College) eliminated Kawempe Muslim in a 5-4 penalty shootout.

Byafaayo Queens will lock horns with Wakiso Hill in the quarterfinals of the ongoing tournament at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

FUFA Women’s Cup | Quarterfinals

• Kampala Queens vs She Corporates
• Asubo Ladies vs Rines SS
• Wakiso Hill vs Kawempe Muslim/Byafaayo Queens

Kampala Queens will take on She Corporates in the quarterfinals of the FUFA Women Cup at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

The two sides will be renewing their rivalry since She Corporates were demoted to play in the FUFA Elite League.

After failing to defend the FUFA Women’s Super League, Kampala Queens will now switch attention to the Women’s Cup thus seeking redemption.

Kampala Queens head coach, Ayiekoh Lukula is confident ahead of the clash against his former bosses.

“We have worked hard to regain our mental fitness and I have seen a positive display in our last training session,” the gaffer stated.

“We are ready for the challenge. It’s a do-or-die situation whenever we meet She Corporates but we are ready for the fight,” he added.

“I am contented with the team’s preparation and determination and although it will not be easy we are ready to put out our best.”

“After failing to win the League, we have learnt our mistakes and we are determined to save the campaign by fighting for the Women’s Cup,” he concluded.

FUFA has revealed the selling centres for tickets to watch upcoming Uganda Cranes matches against Botswana and Algeria.

Uganda Cranes host Botswana on Friday, June 7 and Algeria on Monday, June 10 at Namboole in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with both matches set to kick off at 7:00 pm.

FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama, at a press conference held at Fufa House in Mengo, announced that tickets will be sold at two physical locations that are; Fufa Complex – Mengo and Tangosport – Jinja. Matchday tickets can also be purchased digitally via MTN MoMo and Namboole Online Platform.

Three categories of tickets will go on sale and that is; Ordinary, VIP and Platinum.

For each game, the ticket prices are as follows;

• Ordinary – Ugx 25,000
• VIP – Ugx 50,000
• Platinum – Ugx 100,000

“We want to caution the public that please purchase tickets only at the centres we have announced here to avoid fraud cases.

“The tickets will be ready for sale today (Wednesday, May 29) at 2:00 pm at the four selling centres. However, we are in the process of adding more selling points and we will inform you in due course,” Byamukama said.

According to Fufa, Double Tickets are available for sale and will give fans access to the two games. However, there will be a limited number for this category of tickets.

• Ordinary Double Tickets – Ugx 40,000
• VIP Double Tickets – Ugx 75,000

How to access the Stadium

Fans with Platinum Tickets will access the stadium through the Western Gate which is adjacent to the Main Gate.

According to the FUFA, Platinum Tickets will come with hospitality packages at halftime and a limited number of parking stickers that will be given out on a first-come, first-get basis.

Fans with VIP Tickets will also access the stadium through the Western Gate.

Fans with Ordinary Tickets will access the stadium through Eastern Gate, Southern Gate or Northern Gate depending on the colour of the (physical) ticket.

Blue ticket holders will access the stadium through the Northern Gate, Yellow Ticket holders will access the stadium through the Eastern Gate and Pink Ticket holders will access the stadium through the Southern Gate.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has summoned forward Nelson Ssenkatuka and Ronald Otti ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria.

The duo joins the Uganda Cranes squad as direct replacements for forward Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru and defender Bevis Mugabi who withdrew from the assignment.

The development was confirmed today Wednesday, May 29 via the official FUFA website.

“Defender Bevis Mugabi and striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru will not take part in the upcoming Uganda Cranes FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers,” the statement partly reads.

According to FUFA, Mugabi who plays for Motherwell FC in Scotland notified Paul Put that he will not be able to make it for the two games.

In the same breath, Mubiru confirmed to the gaffer that he has health challenges that can not allow him to travel to Uganda.

Uganda Cranes is expected to enter a residential camp on Thursday, May 30 at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi.

Livingstone Mbabazi has returned to Mbarara City as head coach for the third time.

MTN Sports understands that Mbabazi has agreed on a two-year employment contract that will see him at the club until 2026.

Mbabazi will replace Wasswa Bbosa, who was at the help of the club for one season and managed to finish 10th on the long.

The CAF B tactician will have a big assignment of assembling a strong Mbarara City side that is capable of challenging the big boys in the league.

This being his third tenure at Mbarara City, his maiden was the 2018-19 and then 2021 before he moved to the West Nile working with Onduparaka and Arua Hill, respectively.

The gaffer’s most recent managerial role was with UPL giants Vipers before he was relieved from duty on April 2, 2024.

He has also coached sides like Lweza (coach-player), Masavu, Wakiso Giants, Onduparaka, Kyetume, Uganda Revenue Authority, Arua Hill and Vipers.