Uganda Premier League | Thursday Results

• SC Villa 2-0 Busoga United
• Bright Stars 3-1 Arua Hill

SC Villa registered a well-deserved 2-0 victory against Busoga United in the Uganda Premier League on Thursday.

Umar Lutalo and Ronald Sekiganda were on target as SC Villa registered maximum points in a game played at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.

Salim Wekiya, Busoga United’s goalkeeper, palmed away Lutalo’s effort from the penalty spot denying the hosts an early lead.

Lutalo finally broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with a low drive capitalising from Patrick Kakande’s well-weighed pass.

Kakande nearly doubled the score but his curling effort bounced off the post before he threw the jersey onto his face in sorrow.

Going into the second half, both sides introduced fresh legs onto the battlefield.

Ssekiganda unleashed a powerful strike from long range to double the hosts’ lead in the 70th minute.

The victory regained Villa’s winning touch after a goalless draw against Mbarara City in the previous fixture.

The victory takes Villa to the sixth position with 12 points while Busoga are 11th on the 16-team log with 10 points.

Villa will return to action on Tuesday, December 5, to visit Bright Stars while Busoga United will host Maroons the following day.

Ugandan Premier League | Thursday Results

• Bright Stars 3-1 Arua Hill SC
• SC Villa 2-0 Busoga United

Nelson Senkatuka hit a hat-trick as Bright Stars secured a 3-1 victory against Arua Hill SC in the Uganda Premier League encounter.

In a game played at Kavumba Recreational Grounds in Wakiso, Bright Stars secured a victory to end their troubled times.

Senkatuka opened the scoring in the third minute after being sent up by Yassin Mugume who played a well-weighed pass from the right flank.

Arua Hill were reduced to ten men as Yusuf Makutum was sent off due to a reckless tackle on Shafik Kakande.

At the end of the first stanza, Senkatuka doubled the lead with a rebound after the custodian denied Sam Ssenyonjo’s low drive from a distance.

Ibrahim Musa pulled back one for the visitors through Ibrahim Musa making the score 2-1 at halftime.

Bright Stars came back looking ruthless and hungry to extend the lead having the numerical advantage.

In the 70th minute, Senkatuka placed the icing on the cake with his third personal strike to extend Bright Stars’ lead.

At the end of the 90 minutes, Bright Stars secured maximum points.

The victory extended Bright Stars to the 10th place on the log with 10 points after playing eight games.

Arua Hill SC remained at the bottom of the 16-team log with just four points.

Uganda Premier League | Thursday Fixtures

• SC Villa vs Busoga United
• Bright Stars vs Arua Hill SC

Uganda Premier League returns and matchday nine gets underway today with two anticipated encounters.

SC Villa will lock horns with Busoga United at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku on Thursday evening.

In the ongoing 2023/24 campaign SC Villa has been inconsistent as their results have been improving and dropping as days go by.

On the other hand, Busoga United come into today’s contest after edging KCCA 2-1 in a hard victory at home and they will hope the three points give them confidence as they take on Villa.

In the pre-match conference, Ronald Sekiganda revealed that they have had proper preparations towards the game.

“The team is in good shape, and everyone is ready to fight for the three points if given a chance,” the towering midfielder was quoted by the club’s website.

“The coaches have corrected the mistakes from the previous game, and we are prepared to apply the given tactics for the three points tomorrow,” he added.

“I, therefore, call upon all the Jogoos to come and support us tomorrow at home as we seek to return to winning ways.”

Team News

Defender Tabu Oryem and forward Denis Ojara are still long-term absentees while the rest of the tournament is up for selection including Meddie Kibirige who missed the squad in the previous game.

Simon Mukisa, Hakim Mutebi and Abasi Kyeyume will be missed as they take part of the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship.

Head to Head (Last Five Games)

2022/23

• Busoga United 0-1 SC Villa

• SC Villa 1-0 Busoga United

2021/22

• SC Villa 0-1 Busoga United
• Busoga United 0-1 SC Villa

2020/21

• Busoga 1-1 SC Villa

Uganda U-18 Boys head coach Morley Byekwaso thanks troops for the magnificent fight staged against Zanzibar.

Uganda registered a 2-1 narrow victory against Zanzibar in a CECAFA U18 Boys Championship at Bukhungu Stadium on Wednesday.

In a post-match conference, Byekwaso thanked the boys for the effort staged in the tough dwell.

“I want to thank the players for their effort and input,” Byekwaso said before adding; “It was really a tug of war.”

“We wanted to win it and God willing we got a positive result. There are several things we surely need to put right.”

The gaffer added that they will use the resting day to put a number of things right so as to look better going forward.

“We have to do corrections tomorrow (Thursday) so that we make our progression smooth rather than struggle into the next game.”

“Winning was so important today because any other result would end our journey in the ongoing tournament. Now that is done and we have to prepare for the next game,” he concluded.

Uganda lost its first match 1-0 to Tanzania in their opening game of the tournament.

They will play South Sudan in the final game that determines whether they will qualify out of a tight Group B.

• CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship | Results
• Zanzibar 1-2 Uganda 

Uganda edged Zanzibar 2-1 in a CECAFA U18 Boys Championship encounter played at Bukhungu Stadium on Wednesday.

The narrow victory bounced back Uganda into the winning ways after losing to Tanzania 1-0 in their tournament opener.

Travis Mutyaba and Zaidi Hamis’ own goal gave Uganda the much-needed three points to regain the hope of advancing out of the group.

Uganda turned up strong and confident dictating the first 15 minutes of the game.

Mutyaba’s powerful strike outside the box broke the deadlock thus giving Uganda a well-deserved lead in the game.

Saidi Musa tapped into an empty net to put the game level with four minutes to the long break.

It was a nervy end to the first half for Uganda who were pegged onto the back foot by Zanzibar’s rampant attacking line.

Into the second half, Zanzibar started with the right pace asking Uganda’s backline several questions right away.

Zaidi directed Alex Yiga’s powerful delivery into his net hence giving Uganda the lead five minutes past the hour mark.

Zanzibar threw all bodies upfront in search of a late equaliser but Uganda was tall and equal to the challenge.

In the other group game, South Sudan edged Tanzania 2-1 bringing the group to level since all the teams in Group B are tied at three points.

Uganda will have to beat South Sudan in the final group game so as to qualify out of the group in the ongoing tournament.

Uganda XI: Siraje Etuta (GK), Innocent Kisolo, Swabir Mpasa, Stephen Namaisi, Travis Mutyaba, Louis Anguti (C), Abubakar Mayanja, Hakim Mutebi, Alex Yiga, Abasi Kyeyune.

• CECAFA U18 Boys Championship
• Zanzibar vs Uganda

After a 1-0 loss to Tanzania, Uganda will play Zanzibar in the second game of the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship.

Even after a false start to the tournament, Uganda still believe that they can put the remaining pieces together so as to put up something positive.

In the pre-match conference, Uganda’s head coach Morley Byekwaso believes that if they turn up with determination then they will have enough arsenal to beat Zanzibar.

“Zanzibar are closer to Tanzania and they play quite the same game. They will prefer to stay behind the ball and we need to play our way so that we try to unlock them,” Byekwaso stated.

“We need to be more creative and look for goals. If we do everything with confidence then we have a chance to win the game,” he added.

Byekwaso also highlighted that the boys tried to put up a decent game in their recent outing but were stopped by the soggy ground.

“I thank the players for the effort staged in our previous game. We had the game in our hands, especially in the first half but later suffered due to the soggy ground.”

“They scored early and we failed to equalise due to the poor ground. The rain was too much and it made the pitch unplayable so we could not play our way,” he concluded.

Byekwaso also added that Travis Mutyaba and Stephen Namaisi will walk into the squad straight away after coming from the bench in the previous game.

Uganda Premier League secretariat has confirmed the news date when the Kampala Derby between Express and SC Villa.

The game between the Red Eagles and Jogoo was supposed to be played on Wednesday, November 1 but it hardly happened.

The highly anticipated game was postponed after Express fans were said to have been part of hooliganism acts. The ugly scenes saw violent acts of beating assistant referee Fahad Sekayuba leading to suspension of the game.

But later, the FUFA judicial team judged the Red Eagles innocent and asked the UPL secretariat to organize a new date.

After settling the matter, UPL has confirmed that the game will be played on Friday, December 8 at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.

Express are sixth on the log 12 points while SC Villa are 10th with nine points gathered from seven games.

Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes has named the final squad to play Morocco in two friendlies early next month.

Uganda is set to play Morocco on Friday, December 1 at Le Mardi Stadium, Casablanca before they meet again on Tuesday, December 5 at Stade Moulay El Hassan, Rabat.

The two encounters will be Botes’ first tests since taking over office to reshape and build a strong Crested Cranes side.

Botes was employed on a three-year employment contract and among her wishes was to ensure that the Women’s side kept engaged to get better.

Among the notable misses on the squad are forward Fazila Ikwaput and midfielder Shamirah Nalugya who are sidelined due to injuries.

The squad is expected to depart on Tuesday evening (5:30 PM).

The friendlies are meant to improve the quality of the squad and also increase the exposure of the whole contingent at large.

Travelling Squad

Goalkeepers: Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Gloria Namakula (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Proscovia Adongo (She Maroons FC, Uganda)

Defenders: Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Bridget Nabisaalu (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Desire Katisi Natooro (Asubo Ladies FC, Uganda), Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Justine Najjuko Kizza (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Midfielders: Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Joan Nabirye (FK Minsk, Belarus), Jackline Adong (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Zaitun Namaganda (Wakiso Hill WFC, Uganda), Viola Nambi (Pomigliano CF, Italy)

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba ( ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Catherine Nagadya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Amina Nababi (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Joanitah Ainembabazi (Simba Queens FC, Tanzania), Lillian Kasuubo (She Maroons FC, Uganda), Kamiyati Naigaga (Asubo Ladies FC, Uganda)

Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes explains the great need for Uganda to engage in more trial games with better teams.

This comes shortly after the Crested Cranes’ failure to qualify for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

After today’s training session at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo the South African gaffer highlighted that the upcoming friendlies will improve the quality of the squad at large.

“The friendlies against Morocco will help us test some players. It’s evident that some players have improved but even in the practice match the squad looked better,” Botes highlighted.

“But there is still much to do about our game and how I would like us to play. That is why the friendlies against Morocco is very important,” he added.

Botes further noted that the team should mind more about growth and learning than minding results.

“It’s not all about winning or losing but also allowing the learning process to take place so that we build a team for the future.

“We have a young team but there is much that needs to be invested in them. Going forward we need to improve and ensure that we get better.”

Uganda is set to take on Morocco on December 1 and 5 in trial games as Botes further analyses her troops after getting into office.

• CECAFA U18 Boys Championship | Results
• Tanzania 1-0 Uganda

The U18 Uganda National Team started the ongoing CECAFA U18 Boys Championship on a wrong note after falling to Tanzania in a 1-0 loss.

William Sharif gave Tanzania the lead in the 15th minute in the game played at Bukhungu Stadium, Kenya on Sunday.

In the post-match conference, Uganda head coach Morley Byekwaso revealed that the muddy surface highly cost them.

“The pitch was too muddy and it had too much water. The situation did not go our way but am sure we shall bounce back,” Byekwaso highlighted.

“The rain greatly disorganised our setup but we shall go back and come up with a plan A and B to see that we qualify,” he added.

“These players are used to such pressure. They have been playing school football and coming into their clubs as young players so they are used to it.”

“We shall do our level best as coaches to show them what we want to do and what our nation needs,” he concluded.

Uganda will return to action on Wednesday, November 29 as they take on Zarzinbar.