The Queen Cranes were held by Tanzania in a 1-1 stalemate in their opening game of the ongoing All-African Games on Saturday.

In the game that was played at Cape Coast Stadium, Uganda thought they would walk away with maximum points on the day but Tanzania picked a leveller at the death.

This was the first time the ladies were playing in this prestigious event that started back in 1965.

Uganda kick started on the front foot ensuring that they make their intentions in the game so clear.

Catherine Nagadya put a glorious chance to waste in the 5^th minute as she skied her effort above the frame from close range.

Queens Cranes skipper once again came close after being set up by Margret Kunihira though once again she missed the target.

Five minutes to the break, Kunihira finally broke the deadlock after she curled the ball home in stellar fashion as Uganda took the lead.

In the second half, Uganda’s first change came in as Juliet Nalukenge replaced Nagadya while Shamirah Nalugya and Immaculate Kizza replaced Namutebi and Kunihira respectively.

Tanzania restored parity through Aisha Juma Mnuka with a minute to full-time as she tapped home from close range.

Next on the menu, Uganda will take on Ethiopia on Tuesday, March 12 before they conclude the group three days later.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a squad of 26 players ahead of the two international friendly games against Comoros and Ghana.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) on Friday confirmed that Cranes will face Comoros on 26th March and Ghana four days later in Marrakech, Morocco.

On the squad named, two new players are getting their first call to the national team and these are Toby Peter Sibbick, a 24-year-old defender on the books of Hearts of Midlothian in Scotland and the other is striker Carl James Mujaguzi who plays for FC Athlone in Ireland.

Goalkeeper Giousue Bellagambi who played for the U23 team last year in friendlies against Comoros and Ghana has also been summoned.

Meanwhile, Steven Mukwala returns to the national team fold after a while as does Allan Kyambadde.

Summoned Squad

Goalkeepers: Tom Ikara (BUL FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Giousue Bellagambi (Huddersfield Town FC)

Defenders: Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa), Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell FC), Toby Sibbick (Hearts FC), Halidi Lwaliwa (Bregalnica STIP), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Denis Kaka Omony (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)

Midfielders: Allan Kyambadde (El Dakhieya SC), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC), Moses Opondo (AC Horsens), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA FC)

Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brena Strumica), Moses Aliro Okabo (URA FC), Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Carl James Mujaguzi (Athlone FC), Shafik Kakande (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)

The Uganda Cranes will be playing two international friendly games in the upcoming Fifa window.

The two practice games are set to be played between March 18 to 26, 2024.

The development was confirmed via the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) website on Friday, March 8, 2024.

The games are set to be played in Marrakech Morocco at the Stade Grande Marrakech.

Uganda will open up with Comoros on Friday, March 22 before they lock horns with Ghana four days later.

According to the announcement, the squad to take part in the two practice games will be announced shortly.

Uganda Cranes gaffer Joseph Paul Put continues to find the cream of his side since taking charge, however, during the preparations will have in mind the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

It was a day of stalemates as all three Uganda Premier League encounters played on Friday, March 8 witnessed no winner.

Kitara Football Club shared spoils with Maroons Football Club in a goalless stalemate at Prison Grounds in Luzira.

Kitara’s best chance to win the game fell to Denis Omedi whose long-range effort bounced off the frame in the dying minutes of the game.

Kitara is still on top of the log with 40 points gathered in 20 games played thus far.

In the same breath, the hard-fought point kept Maroons in fourth place with 31 points.

In the other game, URA held BUL in a one-all stalemate in the encounter played at Metha Stadium in Lugazi.

Norman Namanya scored the opener in stellar fashion as his long-range effort in the second minute of the game found the back of the net.

However, before the end of the stanza, Amos Kirya scored from a loose ball that was mistimed by the bauURA custodian Rogers Omedwa.

BUL FC is locked on 39 points after 19 games while URA is now seventh on the log with 31 after playing 20 games.

• African Games 2023 | Result
• Nigeria 1-2 Uganda

Uganda U20 Men’s National Team (Hippos) secured a 2-1 victory against Nigeria in the African Games 2023 at Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.

The victory gave the Hippos a positive start in the continental ongoing show piece. 

Arafat Usama and Ivan Irinimbabazi were on target to ensure that Uganda walk away with the advantage in the closely contested duel.

Usama placed Uganda ahead in the 33rd minute with low-powerful effort after being set up by Allan Oyirwoth.

Nigeria however responded swiftly two minutes later as Sadiq Muhammad Isiyaka noded past a flat-footed Hippos’ backline.

In the early proceedings of the second stanza, Nigeria were the better side but on various ocassions they failed to take the lead.

In the 71st minute, defender Ronald Madoi sustained an injury before he was helped off the field and replaced by Cyrus Kibande.

As the game seemed destined to end in a one- all stalemate, Irinimbabazi pulled off a powerful effort that found the back of the net with nine minutes to play.

The victory puts Uganda on top of the log. In the other game, Senegal beat South Sudan 1-0.

Next on the menu, Uganda will take on Senegal on Monday, March 11.

• University Football League | Result
• Uganda Martyrs 0-1 Nkumba (Agg: 1-2)

Nkumba University sealed a spot in the semifinals of the ongoing 2023-24 University Football League (UFL).

Nkumba secured a hard fought 1-0 victory against holders Uganda Martyrs in the UFL encounter played on Thursday in front of a huge crowd.

Isaac Musuga’s late strike in added time was the difference as the Entebbe based side came out of the tight duel victorious.

The game kicked off with high intensity as Alex Kibirige and Francis Ogwang were booked in the seventh minute for their rough play.

At the end of the 45 minute, the affair was square without any side seeing the back of the net.

However, the last 15 minutes were awesome as both sides searched for that goal to seal their advantage.

In added time, Musuga raised highest in a forest of bodies to powerfully nod the ball into the back of the net.

The visiting fans flooded the pitch and it required the intervention of security to clear the playing ground for the game to be concluded in peace.

Nkumba University head coach Sulaiman credited his troops for sticking to the game plan.

“I congratulate the boys for the good performance. We managed the game so well and I appreciate them for sticking to the game plan,” he started.

“In such games that are decisive, game management is key. So we hardly wanted to concede goals in the first half which helped our opponents relax. We picked an advantage on the set piece and we scored a goal,” he added.

“The boys are now motivated and now we plan to attack the semifinals with a lot of positivity and hard work. We want to challenge our next opponent so that we get to the finals.”

Nkumba joins MUBS and UCU who already made it to the last four.

The last quarterfinals duel will see St Lawrence host Kampala University next week on Tuesday.

African Games 2023 | Fixture

• Nigeria vs Uganda – 11 PM

The U-20 Men’s National Football Team (Hippos) will kickstart their stay in the African Games against a continental powerhouse Nigeria.

The game between the two sides will mark Uganda’s return to the competition since 2011.

The Hippos head coach Morley Byekwaso is confident ahead of the game, says the preparations have been good and the team is ready for the tournament.

“We have had good preparations since we entered camp. We also had a practice game with Ethiopia and I believe the players are ready for the tournament,” he stated.

“We respect Nigeria as a superpower of African Football but we do not fear them. We played against them at AFCON U20 last year so its a familiar side,” he added.

“I believe the team has improved a lot since then, so I believe we have what it takes to beat them here.”

In the 2019 African Games, Nigeria lost to Burkina Faso in the men’s football finals that year.

However for Uganda, they reached the semifinals in 1999 as the furthest they’ve gone in the tournament.

Uganda Cup | Results

• Vipers 3-0 Iganga Young

Vipers registered a 3-0 victory against regional league outfit Iganga Young in the Uganda Cup at the round of 16 at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Wednesday.

Ghanaian forward Fumador Asiwome had a chance to place the hosts ahead in the fifth minute but he lost footing as he tried to meet Milton Karisa’s delivery.

Allan Okello tested the goalkeeper Joseph Wigan with a powerful effort but the custodian was equal to the challenge palming it away for a corner.

In the 25th minute, Karisa came close but his diving header off Mohamed Salem’s cross rattled off the frame before the rebound was cleared.

Ten minutes later, Asiwome was fouled in the forbiden area and Vipers were awarded a penalty that was calmly converted by Abdu Karim Watambala.

Five minutes into the second stanza, Salem doubled Viper’s’ advantage with a well guided curler into the right bottom corner.

With a minute to the hour mark, Okello came close as he witnessed his effort bounce off the frame after going through a forest of legs.

In the 72nd minute, Fazil Tumwine opened his Vipers’ account with a simple tap-in off Watambala’s ground delivery.

At the end of the day, Vipers returned to winning ways after playing to two draws in the Uganda Premier League.

University Football League | Results

• MUBS 1-0 Bugema

Makerere University Business School (MUBS) registered a 1-0 victory against Bugema University on Tuesday evening.

The first leg was a close duel that was played at Luwero but none of the sides would find the back of the net after playing 90 minutes.

However, in the second leg Stuart Mutebi scored the only goal to send the hosts into the semifinals of the ongoing UFL tournament.

In the 17th minute, Bin Said missed a glorious chance to put MUBS ahead as his effort went narrowly over the frame.

Ten minutes later, Yekole Talibu found himself in front of goal after landing on a great aerial duel but he could hardly find the target.

Before the end of the first stanza, the game got so physical as tackles started flying from either sides.

Fifteen minutes into the second stanza, defender Denis Wafula nearly gave the visitors a lead as MUBS goalkeeper Hillary Ayebare fumbled with the powerful effort.

With four minutes to play, Mutebi broke the deadlock with a tap in from close range before the home crowd flooded the pitch.

MUBS joins Uganda Christian University (UCU) in the last four. The tournament will return as Uganda Martyrs host Nkumba on Thursday March 7 in Nkozi.

The Queen Cranes head coach, Sheryl Botes Ulanda has named a final squad that will represent the Nation in the All-Africa Games.

It will be the first time the Queen Cranes will take part in the All-Africa Games that will be hosted in Ghana.

To qualify for this tournament, the Queen Cranes were among the last eight in the ongoing 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

During the tournament, Uganda is pitted in group A alongside hosts Ghana, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

The Queen Cranes will kick start their journey with neighbors Tanzania before they take on Ethiopia and Ghana on the 12th and 15th of March.

The team will depart for Ghana on Wednesday at 2:45 am.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers
Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Esther Akujo (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Cecilia Kamuli (FC Tooro Queens, Uganda)

Defenders
Harima Kanyago (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Catherine Wujja (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Claire Hilder Kebirungi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Docus Lwalisa (Olila High School WFC, Uganda), Patricia Akiror (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda)

Midfielders
Krusum Namutebi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Phiona Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Shamusa Najjuma (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Sumaya Nabuto (Isra Soccer Academy FC, Uganda)

Forwards
Latifah Nakasi (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Magret Kunihira (Ceasiaa Queens FC, Tanzania), Zainah Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Juliet Nalukenge (Apollon Ladies FC, Cyprus), Catherine Nagadya ( Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Immaculate Kizza (She Maroons FC)