• CECAFA U18 Boys Championship | Result
• Uganda 2-1 Kenya (After Extra Time)

Uganda registered a narrow 2-1 victory against Kenya in the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship on Friday afternoon.

In the game played at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium at Mamboloe-Kisumu, both sides struggled to find life in the game and the first half ended 0-0 in front of the full stands.

After asking Uganda’s backline several questions, Kenya finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute.

Syphas Otieno Owuor found the back of the net through a powerful low drive after being denied by Uganda’s goalkeeper and captain Abdu Maganda. 

Uganda responded through Okello Batibwe twelve minutes later capitalising on Ibrahim Wanzala’s howler. The custodian failed to get a firm grip on Travis Mutyaba’s delivery and the midfielder tapped home from close range.

In extra time, Hakim Mutebi scored the winning goal and it was the golden moment that awarded Uganda all the bragging rights.

Shortly after the game, Uganda head coach Morley Byekwaso Ochama credited the players’ confidence and hard work.

“The players have accomplished the job and am glad we have lifted the trophy. Ugandans must be proud and happy and that was our target,” he noted.

In the classification game, Tanzania beat Rwanda 3-1 to finish third in the championship. Ally Sereri, Said Said, and John Misheto scored for Tanzania while Didie Ndayishimiye found the only goal for Rwanda.

CECAFA U18 Boys Championship | Result

• Uganda 1-0 Rwanda
• Kenya 0(4)-0(3) Tanzania

The Uganda U18 Boys team edged Rwanda 1-0 in the semifinals of the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship on Tuesday at Jomo Kenyatta Mambelo Stadium.

The narrow victory meant that Morley Byekwaso’s troops would be in the final game of the tournament.

Uganda kicked off on the front foot with Travis Mutyaba coming close on several moments but failed to find the back of the net.

Abubaker Mayanja finally gave Uganda the lead in the 56th minute. The agile forward tapped into an empty net after Rwanda’s goalkeeper tried to palm away Abasi Kyeyune’s effort.

In the other semifinal encounter, Kenya and Tanzania played to a goalless draw in front of a fully packed stadium.

The two sides went in a penalty shootout and the tournament hosts emerged victors. Kenya’s custodian Ibrahim Wanzala thwarted two penalties to earn his side a ticket to the final.

Uganda will forget their poor start to the tournament after losing to Tanzania 1-0 in the first group game. However, they will now plot to beat Kenya in their den.

The final is set to be played on Friday, December 8.

CECAFA U18 Boys Championship | Results

• Uganda 2-0 South Sudan

Uganda registered a well-deserved 2-0 victory against South Sudan in the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium on Saturday.

Dennis Kisiriko and Richard Okello scored as Uganda secured the maximum points to get the much-required victory to top Group B in the ongoing tournament.

The game was so tight as the two sides failed to find the back of the net in the first half of the game.

In the second half, Uganda returned stronger making quick transitions and also making sure they win all the 50-50 duels.

Okello out-muscled South Sudan defender Riak Mulal before he set up Abasi Kyeyune but the forward put to waste a glorious chance.

A minute later, Okello finally broke the deadlock with a touch into the back of the net to finish a quick poetry move leaving South Sudan’s backline frozen.

James Ezekiel Ismail’s troops tried to level matters throwing bodies upfront but Uganda’s backline was up to the task.

Coming off the bench, Kisiriko volleyed home the first-time strike to double Uganda’s lead in stellar fashion with six minutes to play.

At the semifinal stage, Uganda will play Rwanda to decide who takes the ticket to go into the final.

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.

The U18 National Team head coach Morley Byekwaso has named a travelling squad that will represent the country in the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship in Kenya.

The development was confirmed via FUFA’s official website on Tuesday, November 22.

The tournament is slated for Saturday, November 25 to Friday, December 8.

After naming the final squad, Byekwaso said the team had prepared well emphasising both physical and mental conditioning.

“The final squad is made up of 23 talented and hardworking players who will represent the country very well,” he stated.

“We need to work extra hard to make it out of through the group that has Zanzibar (U15 Boys Champions), Tanzania and South Sudan,” he added.

The squad is made up of three custodians, seven defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards. 

Final Travelling Squad

Goalkeepers: Magada Abdu (Gaddafi FC), Etuta Bieven Siraje (Vipers SC JT), Nsubuga Chris Ronald (Amus FC)

Defenders: Ssonko Ssembatya Hafidhu (Prosper SA), Kaye Ronald (NEC FC), Wandera Hakim (Prosper SA), Abalirya Peter (Kibuli SS), Anguti Amagu Louis (Lugazi FC), Mukisa Simon (SC Villa), Namaisi Stephen (Kataka FC),

Midfielders: Katongole Frank (Vipers SC), Kisolo John Innocent (St. Henry’s College Kitovu), Batiibwe Charles Okello (SC Villa), Karungi Abusaid (Gaddafi FC), Mutyaba Travis (Dynamo Tbilisi Georgia), Mutebi Hakim (SC Villa), Mpasa Swabir (BUL FC JT), Ssekajugo Elvis (Royal Giants High School), 

Forwards: Kyeyune Abasi (SC Villa), Okello Richard (BUL FC JT), Yiga Alex (KCCA FC), Mayanja Abubaker (KCCA FC), Kisiriko Dennis (URA FC).