menu close

Suggestions

Big League: Blacks Power... Ssenyondo pleased with Uganda... Uganda Cubs fall to... Baby Cricket Cranes suffer... Mbarara City hold BUL...

Top athletes

Alex Kitata

Margaret Kunihira

Catherine Nagadya

Samalie Nakacwa

Daisy Nakaziro

Farouk Miya

Ivan Ahimbisibwe

Ismail Watenga

Hasifah Nassuna

Nelson Senkatuka

Shadia Nankya

Top stories

Big League: Blacks Power edge Kataka in Mbale
Ssenyondo pleased with Uganda Cubs second half performance in defeat to Morocco
Uganda Cubs fall to Morocco in AFCON U-17

Sunday, May 7

Men

Women

UCU Canons made a late charge to register a 74-69 victory against Kampala Rockets in the National Basketball League at YMCA, Wandegeya on Sunday evening.

Peter Sifuma scored a team-high 16 points and picked 18 rebounds for the Mukono based to register back-to-back wins in the just concluded weekend.

The newly promoted side kicked off right away with a perfect start winning the first quarter 21-12.

Kampala Rockets fell in the second quarter trailing by five points (14-19) but went into the long break with a four-point lead (35-31).

The Canons (6-3) returned a better side picking timely rebounds and distributing the ball with the perfect rhythm.

The third quarter ended at 54-52 as the Rockets had a narrow lead but in the fourth quarter, they levelled at 69-69 with 01:12 left on the clock before Jerry Samson Kayanja made a 3-point jump shoot and Ibanda Lwabaga concluded the party with a 2-point lay up.

The Cannons created a five-point gap to pick their successive win after beating RezLife Saints 87-35 on Saturday.

It was the sixth victory for Nicholas Natuhereza’s coached side who have also lost three in the nine games played so far.

As the ongoing Uganda Premier League comes to an end the secretariat has taken a decision to adjust the fixture and allow the top three teams to play their last three games on the same dates.

Now, Vipers SC are left with five games, KCCA is left with four while SC Villa has only three on their menu.

After Vipers SC beat KCCA FC 1-0 on Friday, the log became more interesting as the two teams are level at 45 points, one behind table leaders SC Villa.

Jackson Magera’s charges were supposed to host Blacks Power on Tuesday, May 9 but the duel was extended to Tuesday, May 23.

“As you are undoubtedly aware, the SUPL is in its final stages of conclusion with the title not yet decided with four matches (on average) to go,” the document read.

“In the spirit of fair play and equal opportunity, UPL secretariat has made the following fixture arguments to ensure the last three games involving KCCA FC, SC Villa and Vipers are played on the same date and time,” he added.

Remaining fixtures for the three sides

Vipers SC

KCCA FC

SC Villa

City Oilers head coach Mandy Juruni says it was a good experience playing at the Basketball Africa League that was held in Cairo, Egypt.

Despite not making it to the playoff in Kigali, City Oilers picked several lessons going forward and for the tournaments to come.

The Ugandan side’s journey came to an end after failing to go past South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers in an 80-70 loss.

“It was a good experience,” Juruni said shortly after the end of the game before adding; “We had some good games, we had some great moments but had some bad moments as well.”

“But competitions are like that. This is a high competition in terms of clubs’ basketball in Africa, so for us to here and compete against the best on the continent is an honour,” he stressed.

The Oilers needed a win to squeeze in the last four who will play the BAL playoffs later on but the dream was shunned.

“We were a bit flat on defence. I do not think we did a good job of making consistent stops. They shot the ball, they drove the ball and we did not have the firepower in us.”

“Our efficiency was not good as on Friday and I think the other team also did a good job trying to stop our two scorers. Maybe the other guys should have come in to give us the lift.”

Germaine Roebuck Jr’s injury was a great blow to Juruni’s troops who greatly missed his drive. The burden was left to Falando Jones who managed to score 27 points while James Justice Jr had a bad day scoring only nine.

The oilers finished the group with only one win from five games. Their only win came against CFV de Beira in the second-last game of the fixture.

“We have learnt a lot and we are happy to be here to represent our club and country,” he concluded.

Saturday, May 6

City Oilers suffered a big blow by exiting of Basketball Africa League after falling to Cape Town Tigers in an 80-70 loss on Saturday evening.

The Ugandan side played this game having it at the back of their mind that it was their ticket to Kigali if they win but also a ticket back to Kampala if they lose.

The South African side won the first quarter after edging City Oilers by three points 20-17.

But Mandy Juruni’s side won the second quarter 20-17 and the two sides went in the long break levelled at 37-37 to set the perfect stage for a thrilling duel.

After recess, it was end-to-end action as both sides shared possession but with less than two minutes in the third quarter. Samkelo Cele converted three successive shots to create a six-point lead.

Titus Odeke responded with a 3-point jump shot to reduce the deficit but Parby Musongela recreated the seven-point lead at the end of the quarter.

The fourth block was more interesting as Fayed Bbaale put in a big three with 2.34 left on the clock but Pieter Prinslo responded with a three to extend the lead.

The final whistle was blown while City Oilers were trailing by 10 points.

Falando Jones topped the scoring chart of the Oilers with 27 points and was the only player with double figures from the home side.

It was the fourth loss for City Oilers who only managed to pick a win against Mozambique’s Ferroviato da Beira (96-75).

Friday May 5

Milton Karisa’s late strike helped Vipers SC to register a 1-0 victory against KCCA FC in the Uganda Premier League at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

It was a green light for the Kitende-based side in the chase of the title defence.

Both sides had several chances on the goal but only one crossed the dotted line late.

Abubaker Lawal thought he had given the hosts a lead after five minutes only to see his effort bounce off the goalpost. This was after Milton Karisa’s delivery met the Nigerian forward at the far post.

Six minutes later, Rogers Mato warmed up Fabien Mutombora’s gloves with a hard shot after being set up by Allan Okello on the left flank.

Close to half an hour mark, the Kasasiro Boys created a moment of wonder with Mato, Okello and Saidi Mayanja exchanging passes with a quick pace but Mato’s final shot sailed out.

With three minutes to end the first stanza, Okello started a freekick early to find Mato unmarked but the latter’s first touch was heavy and Mutombora was in the right place to pick the ball.

Eight minutes into the second, emotions sparked off as Mustafa Mujuzi dangerously fouled Lawal.

Players and officials exchanged words and pulled each other which resulted in a red card to Vipers custodian Ibrahim Mugisha.

In the 65th minute, Vipers were lucky as they watched Okello’s curling effort go off the post after beating goalkeeper Mutombora.

In the 88th minute, Karisa found the back of the net with a low hard shot to light up the stadium that was full to the rafters.

In added time, Angolan defender Miguel Nzau nearly doubled the lead but his mistimed effort rolled narrowly wide of the frame.

After full-time, players went straight to the referee and Congolese striker Kankonde Tshisingu was shown a red card.

The victory takes Vipers second on the log with 45 points level with KCCA FC.

Fixtures | Friday May 5

City Oilers head coach Mandy Juruni has emphasized the sensitivity of their next game in the Basketball Africa League in the Nile Conference being held in Cairo, Egypt.

The Ugandan side has so far lost three games at the ongoing tournament and seeks a comeback when they face Ferroviaro Beira on Friday evening.

“We have no room to mess up,” Juruni said ahead of the clinical clash against the side from Mozambique.

“We have to do all it takes to keep ourselves alive so we understand what is ahead of us but most importantly we have to focus on the things that need to be done so that we win,” he added.

City Oilers’ most recent loss came against Guinea’s SLAC in a 96-68 loss to fall to a 0-3 record. In that game, the Oilers looked so down and mentally off.

But Juruni believes his charges are now in a better place mentally and hope for a smarter performance far from what they staged in the previous game.

“We have been preparing mentally. We have had numerous sessions with the boys, one-on-one just to try and prepare them mentally.

“We have watched the film of the last game and we highlighted a number of mistakes that are correctable. After the training and the talks we had, I feel good about the mood.

“The players also had their own meeting (as players only) so we have done everything to prepare ourselves for the game ahead.

“These are teams (Ferroviaro Beira and Cape Town Tigers ) we are very familiar with having played them in the Road to BAL to get here but this is a different stage and we are in the position where we have to win,” he concluded.

Another loss for Juruni’s troops will mean they are automatically out of the picture for a slot in the BAL playoffs that will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from May 21st to 28th.

Thursday, May 4

NEC Football Club were edged by Lugazi FC in a 2-1 loss in the FUFA Big League at Coffee Grounds, Bugolobi on Thursday evening.

The Army side faced their seventh loss of the ongoing campaign having played 28 games as they continue to chase top-flight football.

NEC FC faced a big blow as they lost their captain Marvin Kavuma after suffering an injury.

In the 35th minute, Gerald Ogwet placed the visitors ahead with an easy tap-in after NEC goalkeeper Braddy Wokorach failed to deal with Shafick Kiryowa’s powerful effort.

As the first half was looming, Ogwet doubled the lead after NEC’s defensive line failed to clear Moses Mpuga’s delivery from the right flank of the pitch.

After recess, NEC returned a better side throwing bodies in front in search of a response after falling two goals down.

Second-half substitute Geoffrey Sserukuma came close with a backward header from close range but custodian Anthony Emojong was quick to collect the ball.

In the 77th minute, Sserunkuma raised in a forest of bodies to node home hence giving the hosts a consolation goal.

The Bugolobi-based side tried their best to level matters but Lugazi were compact and tight at the back.

The loss left them in the third position with 51 points while Lugazi raise to the fifth position at 40.

NEC are left with two games against Adjumani TC at home and later conclude with Kaaro Karungi away from home.

Friday, May 5, 2023

KCCA FC interim head coach Jackson Mayanja has revealed that his side cannot be intimidated by Vipers SC.

Mayanja opened up ahead of the clash of titans that will see Vipers host KCCA at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

“We can not travel to Vipers intimidated. I know they are from the Champions League but KCCA is a great club,” Mayanja revealed during a press conference at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

“We need to win the game against Vipers tomorrow. I just want to tell them (Vipers) that they should just wait for us tomorrow. They should be on guard because we are coming to Kitende to have the game done,” he added.

The winner of the clash will draw closer to the title ahead of the season photo finish.

If KCCA win then they will go on top of the log with 48 points, two ahead of the the current log leaders SC Villa.

However, if Vipers win the duel, they will go second on the log with 45 points levels with KCCA but with a better goal difference and having played a game less.

“We are still in the title race. Yes we drew our last game but it was not a loss. Its normal in football that the last team on the table can come and upset a bigger side.”

“The surprises are still on, you saw Villa lose to Maroons after beating Vipers. So the title is still alive. So we only need to keep focused and win our games.”

Having a win on their minds, Mayanja underlined they plan to go all out and hurt their rival without shying away.

“When you go to win then you have to go all the way and attack. So the game plan is clear, we are going all out to look for the win. There is nothing to hide about it and Vipers should know that.”

“We have no thoughts of defending. We are going to attack Vipers until we get the result. If we do not get the result it will be God’s plan but we need a positive result badly,” he underlined strongly.

Team News

Rogers Mato and Brian Aheebwa will require a late fitness test to tell their fate in the game.

Head to Head

KCCA are second on the log with 45 points while Vipers are third on 42.

In the last 10 meetings, Vipers SC has been the better side registering four wins while KCCA has been beaten the Venoms twice and they have shared points on four ocassions.

Wednesday, May 3

Maroons registered a 1-0 well-deserved victory against log leaders in the Uganda Premier League in Luzira on Wednesday evening.

The all-important goal from Ronald Orombi inspired the Prison Wardens past the Jogoo on a cloudy evening.

Jackson Magera’s troops suffered the seventh loss of the ongoing campaign after playing 25 games off the lineup of 28.

In the 24th minute, Ivan Bogere thought he had given SC Villa the lead but his bouncing header rattled off the woodwork before custodian Simon Tamale finger-tipped the rebound.

Eight minutes later, the Wardens took the lead through Ronald Orombi whose powerful strike found the back of the net.

This came after Edward Masembe threw his body on the line to block Brian Kayanja’s hard effort but Orombi was in the perfect place to rebound.

Three minutes after an hour mark, Charles Bbaale set up Patrick Jonah Kakande but the forward’s touch was denied by the goalpost before Tamale picked the remains.

In the last minute of the game, Tamale fumbled with the ball and lost possession to Travis Mutyaba but the latter’s resultant effort went above the frame.

The loss leaves SC Villa on top of the log with 46 points while Maroons move fifth with 36.

Next on the log, SC Villa hosts Blacks Power on Tuesday, May 9 while Maroons visit Gaddafi on the same day.

Arua Hill SC returned to winning ways with a well-deserved 4-1 victory against Express FC in the Uganda Premier League at Barifa Stadium.

Gadafi Wahab (brace), Rashid Kawawa and Innocent Media were on target as the Kongolo humbled the Red Eagles in their den.

Anwar Ntege was on target to find Express’ only goal in the one-sided encounter.

The hosts opened the party early in the second minute as Wahab raised high to node the Kongolo ahead.

Twenty-four minutes later, Kawawa introduced himself from the sickbay with a sweet volley to double Arua Hill’s lead in style.

In the 27th minute, Ntege reduced the deficit for the visitors by pulling back one and restoring hope.

Twelve minutes into the second half, quick-footed forward Media restored Arua Hill’s two-goal lead through a fine finish.

In the 75th minute, Wahab completed his brace punishing Express who easily gave away possession in the dangerous area.

The victory sent Arua Hill to fourth position with 37 points while Express is 10th at 30.

Arua Hill’s next text will be a visit to BUL on Wednesday, April 10 while Express play KCCA next at Wankulukuku on Sunday, May 13.