USSSA Qualifiers 2024 | Quarterfinals

• Masaka SS vs Numasa
• Sseke SS vs Africa With Love
• St Henry’s College vs St Charles Lwanga
• Blessed Sacrament vs St James SS

As the knockout stage hits the second day, eight schools will be out vying for the four semifinal spots in the ongoing competition.

Four thrilling quarterfinal matchups will see eight teams lock horns in Kalangala District for the USSSA Masaka Regional Qualifiers.

After close group stage games, schools were treated to a tough and gruelling Round of 16 where Blessed Sacrament Kimanya and St Henry’s College Kitovu secured victories in dying minutes.

In the most anticipated games of the day, St Henry’s Kitovu will face St Charles Lwanga at Kaala Ground.

With the Catholic background, the two schools have been fighting for bragging rights for quite a while.

While fans’ favourite Blessed Sacrament Kimanya will take on St James SS at Lutoboka playground in the morning.

At the same ground, Masaka SS (hosts of the Nationals) will take on NUMASA earlier in the morning while the other encounter will see Sseke SS against Africa With Love Secondary School.

Masaka Region will be represented at the Nationals by five schools including the hosts.

After several media reports about the coaching situation at URA Football Club, the entity has officially relieved David Obua of coaching duties.

Obua who had signed a one-year contract leaves the club after just five months in charge.

“After careful consideration and mutual agreement, URA FC and Head Coach David Obua have decided to part ways, terminating his one-year contract five months into his tenure. Alongside him, his first assistant Peter Byaruhanga Adyeri and fitness coach Kawa have also left the club,” a statement from the club reads.

“Robert Mukasa will assume the role of caretaker coach for the rest of the season, supported by Ilic Milosh, Allan Owiny, Robert Ssentongo, and Goalkeeping Coach Swaibu Ssebagala.”

During his time with URA FC, which began in November last year, Obua managed the team in 20 matches across all competitions. He registered eight wins and as many losses while the other four matches ended in draws.

Uganda Premier League side NEC secured a 2-0 victory against FUFA Big League side Police in the Uganda Cup encounter at Kavumba Recreational Centre, Wakiso.

Cromwell Rwothomio and Gaddafi Wahab scored in either half as NEC booked the first semifinal slot of the ongoing Uganda Cup.

Rwothomio fired the visitors ahead in the third minute as the visitors staged a dream ahead of the Cops.

Rashid Okocha nearly doubled NEC’s lead in the 15^th minute but his effort was blocked for a corner from close range.

As the first half came to an end, Joseph Dhata missed the target by a whisker as his powerful effort sailed inches wide of the frame.

In the 79^th minute, Marvin Kavuma was tripped in the dangerous area and NEC was awarded a penalty.

Gaddafi Wahab stepped up and converted from the spot in the 80^th minute sending Police’s custodian the wrong way.

The Uganda Cup will continue on Saturday, April 13 as BUL hosts KCCA at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru while Pajule Lions will take on Pakwach Youngstars.

The quarterfinals stage will conclude on Sunday, April 14 as Kitara hosts Vipers SC at Masindi Municipal Stadium.

Patrick Jonah Kakande expressed his disappointment after failing to convert a glorious chance that fell to him in the final minutes of the goalless stalemate between SC Villa and Vipers.

In the 78th minute, Abasi Kyeyune went through a forest of bodies on the right flank before setting up Kakande who instead skied the ball above the frame with the goal at his mercy.

In the post-match conference, Kakande revealed that he would go back and think about the moment and find out how best he could have handled the situation.

“My decision was so poor but I will go back and think about the moment so that I see how best to handle myself in such a situation,” he started.

“We shall keep our heads high. We are still in the race, we shall keep fighting till the last day. We shall keep correcting our mistakes as we also better on the positives to win our next games,” he added.

Villa lie fourth on the log with 41 points after playing 22 games in the ongoing campaign.

They will return to action on Sunday, April 21 as they take on Bright Stars at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

• Uganda Premier League | Result
• SC Villa 0-0 Vipers SC

SC Villa and Vipers settled for a goalless draw in the Uganda Premier League encounter played at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday evening.

Both sides had a chance to extend closer to the log summit. In case of a victory, Viper would be a point behind Kitara while Villa would be two points short of the summit.

Instead, each side picked a point, sticking in the third and fourth places respectively.

Shortly after the final whistle, Vipers captain Milton Karisa revealed that they will keep believing because there are many more games ahead.

“We shall keep believing because we still have to play a number of games before the end of the season,” Karisa started.

“We faced a good team today and I think picking a point means we did something positive. I will let you know that we got a number of chances but we were unlucky that none of them was converted,” he added.

Vipers will play log leaders Kitara in their next league encounter on Friday, April 19. It will be thrilling because the two sides will earlier face off on Sunday, April 13 in the Uganda Cup.

Nevertheless, Karisa believes if they correct their mistakes and prepare well, they can go all the way and claim maximum points against Kitara.

“We shall go back and organise. Our focus now switches to the next game. I think if we correct our mistakes then we can secure maximum points.”

Ugandan custodian Ali Mwirusi has joined Squires Gate Football Club, a ninth-tier side in England.

This happened after the former goalkeeper Mwirusi impressed for the side’s U23 category.

“We are pleased to confirm that we have added goalkeeper Ali Mwirusi Ramadhan to our first-team squad,” the statement partly reads.

“With the young keeper impressing for our U23’s and in the Global Football Network programme,” the club announced.

 About Squires Gate 

It’s a club formed in 1948, Squires Gate is a club based in Blackpool, Lancashire in England currently playing in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL).

Squires Gate is currently playing in the ninth tier of the English Football Pyramid system, eight leagues below the English Premier League.

• Uganda Premier League | Result
• SC Villa 0-0 Vipers SC

SC Villa and Vipers SC played to a goalless draw in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday.

Umar Lutalo nearly gave the hosts the lead in the 10th minute but his curling effort went straight to the hands of Vipers goalkeeper Jack Komakech.

Vipers best chances fell to Milton Karisa and Bright Anukani but the duo was not lethal enough infront of goal.

In the last minute of first half, Villa claimed a penalty when Frank Katongole got into contact with Lutalo but the centre referee waved play on.

At the start of the second half, Diego Hamisi Semugera replaced Arnold Odongo who locked uncomfortable while walking to the dressing room.

Charles Lwanga’s volley was saved by Komakech before Rogers Torach blocked Hakim Kiwanuka’s rebound from close range.

At top of the hour, Richard Wasswa made a double change introducing Yunus Sentamu and Fazil Tumwine for Anukani and Kambale.

Sentamu missed a sitter as he failed to make proper contact with Karisa’s delivery in the 78th minute.

Braddy Wokorach made a double save to deny Tumwine in the final minutes of the game.

Vipers remained third on the log with 42 points while SC Villa is forth with a point less.

How they lined up

SC Villa XI: Jean Braddy Wokorach (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Joseph Kafumbe, Umar Lutalo, Hakim Kiwanuka, Gavin Mugweri, Ronald Ssekiganda, Charles Lwanga, Cyrus Kibande, Patrick Kakande

Vipers SC XI: Jack Komakeck (GK), Milton Karisa, Allan Okello, Bright Anukani, Hillary Mukundane, Paul Mboowa, Eric Kambale, Isa Mubiru, Grant Matsiko, Frank Katongole, Rogers Torach

Uganda U-16 Women’s National Team head coach Charles Ayiekoh has revealed the travelling squad that will play at the inaugural UEFA U16 Friendship Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.

The final squad is made up of 19 players and travelled out of the country today Tuesday morning at 5:00 aboard Turkish Airlines.

The invitational tournament is an initiative by UEFA and it will have eight nations such as hosts Turkey, Uganda, Botswana, China, Paraguay, Vietnam, USA and Wales.

Uganda are pitted in Group B alongside China, Wales, and Paraguay as they seek glory in the championship.

Ayiekoh’s troops will kick start the tournament on Thursday, April 11 against Paraguay.

The tournament kick starts today and runs until Friday, April 19 at the Turkish Football Federation Training Center in Riva Istanbul.

Travelling Squad.

Goalkeepers

Dorcus Namboozo (Amus College School), Victory Bynam Tendo (Rines SS)

Defenders

Charity Katusiime (Tagy High School), Grace Adong (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Nambuya Sharlom (Amus College School), Ritah Anitah Nambuusi (Lamminas Secondary School)

Midfielders

Bushira Muhammad Nalunkuuma (Amus College School), Justine Kinsumbya (Tagy High School), Asia Kakai (Amus College School), Shafiga Tamisi (Amus College School), Monica Bulya (Rines SS), Gloria Apio (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Vanessa Namazzi (Kawempe Muslim SS), Patricia Namugenyi (Kawempe Muslim SS), Shakirah Nakintu (Kawempe Muslim SS)

Forwards

Angel Ainembabazi (Rines SS), Isabella Winfred Blick Kabarozi (Uganda Martyrs High School, Lubaga), Shadia Nabirye (Kawempe Muslim SS), Yusraa Nambooze (Kawempe Muslim SS)

• Uganda Premier League | Fixture
• SC Villa vs Vipers – 4 PM

SC Villa and Vipers SC will lock horns in a Uganda Premier League encounter that is set to take place at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday.

Amidst a switch in managers, Vipers seek to keep their winning streak to keep pressure on the log leaders.

In the pre-match conference, Vipers interim head coach Richard Wasswa revealed that they expect a tough challenge but are equally ready to fight for points.

“We expect a tough challenge but hope the hard work that we shall put on the pitch will give us an edge,” he stated.

“We have prepared well and all the players are in a good healthy state. We hope for the best going to Wankulukuku because we are going to fight for the points since it will be a tough game,” he added.

“Since we are nearing the end of the campaign. There is no hard game because each point matters. We have tried to rectify our mistakes and I hope the boys will give their best so that we can gather maximum points.”

Vipers’ fanbase will hope that the sacking of Livingstone Mbabazi hardly affects the team’s preparation ahead of the big game.

Villa will miss the services of youngsters Hakim Mutebi, Simon Mukisa, and Junior Niwamanya but they will be boosted by the return of Hamis Diego Semugera and Gavin Kizito.

Vipers lie third on the log with 41 points while Villa are fourth with a point less.

Uganda Premier League side Vipers have parted ways with head coach Livingstone Mbabazi.

The development was confirmed via the club’s official website on Monday, April 8, 2024.

“We (Vipers) announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Livingstone Mbabazi,” the statement partly reads.

According to the club’s website, Mbabazi will be replaced by Richard Wasswa who will take over the role as interim head coach until the end of the season.

Wasswa will be deputised by Esdras Costa, Fred Muhumuza, Richard Kasule, and Ali Kimera (goal-keeping coach).

Vipers lie third on the log with 43 points. They will return to action on Tuesday, April 9 as they take on SC Villa at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.