Queen Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes has named 48 players ahead of the upcoming All-Africa Games.

The tournament is set to be held next month in Accra, Ghana.

The team is expected to enter cam on Monday, February 19 at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi.

The tournament will accommodate players whose age was applied during the qualifiers of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022.

Uganda is pitted in the same group as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Ghana.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Daphine Nyayenga (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Esther Akujo (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Olga Lukia Butiru (Asubo Ladies FC, Uganda), Halimah Kasuubo (Wakiso Hill WFC, Uganda), Cecilia Kamuli (FC Tooro Queens, Uganda), Nuru Babirye Nakyanzi (Royal Queens FC, Uganda)

Defenders

Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Harima Kanyago (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Catherine Wujja (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Sharifah Nakimera (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nakibuuka (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Winnie Nakanwagi (Makerere University WFC, Uganda), Claire Hilda Kebirungi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Dorcus Lwalisa (Olila High School WFC, Uganda), Ritah Mushimire (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Patricia Akiror (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Harriet Angorah (St. Noa WFC, Uganda), Winfred Kwatulira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Aisha Nantongo (Aalborg BK, Denmark), Patricia Nanyanzi Nakato (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Patience Nabulobi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Midfielders

Krusum Namutebi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Phiona Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Patricia Nayiga (Wakiso Hill WFC, Uganda),Zaitun Namaganda (Wakiso Hill WFC, Uganda), Sarah Babirye (Asubo Ladies FC, Uganda), Hadijah Babirye (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Eva Nagayi (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Shamusa Najjuma (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda)

Forwards

Latifah Nakasi (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Margret Kunihira (Ceasiaa Queens FC, Tanzania), Sumaya Nalumu (St. Noa WFC, Uganda), Zainah Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sharon Kanyiginya (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Juliet Nalukenge (Apollon Ladies FC, Cyprus), Catherine Nagadya ( Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Sophia Nakiyingi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Lillian Kasuubo (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Charity Nabiira (Jinja SS WFC, Uganda), Immaculate Kizza (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Kamiyati Naigaga (Asubo Ladies FC, Uganda), Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia)

Agnes Nabukenya was once again on target as Kawempe Muslim secured a 1-0 victory against Uganda Martyrs in the FUFA Women Super League on Saturday.

In a game played at St Gerald Stadium, Nabukenya scored in the 28^th minute to help her side bag maximum points on the day.

The visitors kept knocking on the door to double the lead but the hosts were calm and composed at the back.

In the 61^st minute, Hadijah Babirye replaced Yudaya Nakayenze as Ayub Khalifa introduced fresh legs into the middle of the park.

At that juncture, the hosts took full charge of the game but were so wasteful where it mattered most.

With six minutes left on the clock, Allen Nassazi and Halima Kampi came on for Mary Kabacuulezi and Phionah Nabulime respectively.

The victory keeps Kawempe on top of the log with 24 points after playing their maiden game of the second round.

On the other hand, Uganda Martyrs are sixth on the log with 12 points in 10 outings.

Kawempe Muslim will return to action Sunday, February 25 as they visit Lady Doves in Masindi.

Uganda Cup – Results

• Jinja North 0-2 KCCA
• Pajule Lions 2-0 Nsambya
• Express (8)1-1(7) Rwenzori Lions

KCCA cruised past Jinja North in a 2-0 victory in the round of 32 of the Uganda Cup at Kakindu Stadium, Jinja on Saturday evening.

Muhammad Shaban and Saidi Mayanja were on target as KCCA sealed a spot in Round 16 of the ongoing tournament.

After a poor start to the Uganda Premier League, the Kasasiro Boys will assume that the Uganda Cup avails them a chance to end the season with silverware.

Shaban was already on target in the second minute of the game. The finish extended the forward’s tally to now three in the tournament.

In the 18^th minute, KCCA nearly doubled the lead through Usama Arafat but his powerful effort went inches above the frame.

Eight minutes later, Saidi Mayanja extended the hosts’ lead to give the visitors the much-needed comfort in the duel.

In the second half, the visitors kept threatening to add a third goal but their hard work was put to waste.

Elsewhere, Express needed a penalty shootout victory to go past resilient Rwenzori Lions.

In line with growing the beautiful game in the country, the football governing body the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has unveiled an official matchday ball, Zakayo as well as a sportswear manufacturer, Janzi.

The development was made public on Friday, February 16 in a ceremony held at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala.

According to FUFA, the matchday ball was named Zakayo in remembrance of a renowned Chimpanzee who passed away in 2018.

The thrilling move continues to prove how sports can be a swift career or the perfect stage to promote tourism in our country.

FUFA President, Moses Magogo revealed that it’s a proud decision to use sports and promote tourism after a chimpanzee.

“One of the things that make this country proud is because of its tourism and we know what Zakayo means and it’s the reason we decided to name the ball after the chimpanzee,” Magogo said.

“What we are doing has been done elsewhere. It has been done at the level of the English Premier League and we are proud to achieve it,” he added.

In the aftermath, FUFA has given 25 balls to each Uganda Premier League while each FUFA Big League and FUFA Women Super League side will get 15 each.

In the same breath, Magogo believes that the birth of a sportswear manufacturer will help reduce the cost of merchandise.

“We want to create our brands. Everything we do we have to first think about it and even this one we thought about it for over three years.”

“We tested it and revealed that it can work. The equipment in football is expensive but when you go where they manufacture them, the price is small. We decided to make our brand and it is a registered trademark owned by FUFA,” he concluded.

Makerere University head coach Douglas Bamweyana has noted that it’s only the start ahead of quite a tough campaign.

Makerere University registered a narrow 2-1 victory against Uganda Christian University at the Tear Gas grounds on Friday morning.

While speaking to the press after the game, Bamweyana revealed that the boys should keep their heads high and ensure that they fight for a victory away from home.

“It’s the start not entirely the nature of the game we wanted to play. Though the result is not exactly bad, it’s still something we can take,” Bamweyana said.

“We are looking forward to the next game because that is the most important assignment. We can not get excited because the result is evenly balanced since they scored here,” he added.

Bamweyana also added that both teams were disturbed by the state of the pitch denying them to play a style with which they flourish.

“We shall work more on our quality. Of course, the pitch was not good for both sides. Of course, we need to improve and show the quality of our team. I believe we have more ability than what we staged today.”

The tournament will resume on Tuesday, February 20 with Makerere University Business School (MUBS on the road to play Bugema University in Luwero District.

University Football League | Result

• Makerere University 2-1 Uganda Christian University 

Makerere University secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Uganda Christian University in the quarterfinals first leg of the University Football League on Friday morning.

In the game that was played at Tear Gas Arena, action kicked off in the 34th minute after an interruption in the previous day.

The heavens opened duly on Thursday and action between the two sides was paused postponing the game to Friday morning.

But before the interruption, Musa Male fired the hosts ahead in the 18th minute before Geoffrey Gaganga levelled matters in the 30th minute of the game.

At half-time, the game was still locked with a 1-1 result in front of a small crowd.

The hosts took full control of the game pressing an organised UCU backline that kept their shape in the early minutes of the second stanza.

In the 59th minute, Makerere’s custodian Joel Wejuli pulled off a stunning save to deny Isaac Ofoyrwoth’s goal-bound curler.

Nicholas Ddungu restored the hosts’ lead with quite a brilliant finish as the visitors’ went to sleep for a minute.

UCU looked the better side in the final minutes of the game but were blunt in the final third, failing to bury any of their glorious chances.

• University Football League
• Makerere University 1-1 Uganda Christian University (Interrupted)

The game failed to go past the 34^th minute due to the soggy playing ground that hardly allowed a ball to move freely. The situation forced the referee to interrupt the play and call off the game.

The game will resume tomorrow (Friday) at 10 am on the same ground resuming from where it stopped.

The game kick-off was delayed by more than half an hour due to the heavy downpour but after lengthy discussions, both teams were called on the field of play for action to get underway.

In the 18th minute, Makerere took the lead through Musa Male who curled the ball into the back of the net to send the fans into party mood.

The hosts dominated the game and had a great game plan for the soggy ground, however, UCU Cardinals kept calm waiting for their moment in the tight duel.

UCU captain Geoffrey Gaganda restored parity for the visitors with a powerful header that left Makerere custodian helpless and stranded in between the sticks in the 30th minute.

Four minutes later, the game was paused due to the continuous rain that made the pitch unplayable on the day.

Looking back, the two sides met in the opening game of the just concluded inter-university games and Makerere secured a 2-0 victory.

Uganda Cup – Results

• Busei 0-3 Police
• Mbogo (1) 2-2 (3) Young Simba
• Rugarama (4) 1-1 (5) Vipers

Police FC secured a 3-0 victory against Busei in the Uganda Cup in the Round of 32 at Iganga Ssaza Stadium on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Emmanuel Mugume failed to bury an easy tap in front of the goal. The forward failed to control an inviting freekick before the ball was cleared in the 10^th minute.

Herman Wasswa calmly controlled Tony Kiwalazi’s corner but was not allowed to get another touch on the ball as it was quickly cleared away.

Before the first half ended, Isaac Ogwang broke the deadlock with a great effort of a rebound after Busei’s custodian earlier blocked Mugume’s attempt.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Ogwang doubled Police’s lead. The forward met a through ball before he calmly guided the ball at the far post.

In the 62^nd minute, Simon Peter Mugerwa introduced Regan Male, Brian Obedi, and Daniel Otto to replace Ogwang, Mugume, and Tony Kiwalazi.

Seven minutes later, Gabriel Eragu put the icing on the cake with the third goal. He was on the end of a counterattack that was started by Male.

The victory sends the Cops to the next round of the ongoing knockout tournament.

Elsewhere, holders Vipers squeezed on to the next round in a 5-4 penalty victory after a one-all draw in normal time while Young Simba eliminated Mbogo in a 3-1 spot kicks victory after a 2-2 draw.

Uganda Cup – Results

• Simba 0-3 BUL
• MYDA 0-1 Express

BUL Football Club secured a 3-0 victory against Simba in the Round of 32 of the Uganda Cup at Namulonge playground on Wednesday.

The visitors started on an electric note seeking for a quick goal in a one-sided encounter.

Gerald Ogweti set up Martin Aprem in front of goal but his effort was palmed away by Simba’s custodian.

With four minutes left on the clock in the first stanza, Ibrahim Kazindula broke the deadlock as Simba’s backline went to bed.

At the start of the second half, Amos Kirya was introduced to replace Madondo bringing on fresh legs upfront.

Towering defender Walter Ochora doubled BUL’s lead in the 54^th minute with a beautiful header after rising highest in a forest of bodies.

In the 71^st Ibrahim Orit, Lawrence and Alex Kitata replaced Ogweti, Jeromy Kirya and Martin Aprem.

In the final minute of the game, Kitata made it three after latching onto a rebound off Pascal Ngobi’s rebound.

The Jinja-based side continues to extend their blistering campaign by cementing a spot in the last 32 of the campaign.

Uganda Cup – Results

• MYDA 0-1 Express
• Simba 0-3 BUL

Express Football Club registered a narrow 1-0 victory against MYDA in the Uganda Cup at Kongunga Playground, Bukedea on Wednesday evening.

The victory takes Express into the Round of 32 after rescheduling the game from the main date in respect of the Uganda Premier League fixture.

The visitors came close through Alpha Thiery and Isaac Wagoina in the early minutes of the game but MYDA’s custodian was quick to palm them away.

In the 40^th minute, Wagoina’s long-range effort went inches above the frame in yet another close chance.

Ten minutes into the second half, Abdul Kimera was brought to action emphatically palming away the hosts’ effort from close range.

Mansoor Safi’s freekick forced Opiro into a huge mistake as he guided the ball into his net seven minutes on top of the hour mark.

The victory sealed their spot in the next round where they will take on Rwenzori Lions in the Round of 32.

Express are chasing the 11^th Uganda Cup since they are the record champions of the tournament levelled with KCCA at 10.