Players speak out and ready for Saturday’s tie against Tanzania
Prior to the CAF Orange African Nations Championship qualifier return leg f irst roundmatch between Uganda Cranes and Tanzania Taifa Stars, players are ready to accomplish the unfinished business on Saturday at Nakivubo Stadium.
According to the players’ views, they think the game is not yet over but have edto accomplish the task coemthis weekend. Here are some of their thoughts
Julius Ntambi: ‘Tanzania will give us hard time because what I know they have analyzed our game deeply well and we should remember they changed their technical team plus some players but I can assure Ugandans that players are confident to finish up the task’
Mathias Kigonya: ‘We only hope for a win on Saturday. We are playing at home and my thinking is that if we can beat them at their home soil then we can do the same here;
Hassan Wasswa (Captain)
‘We can’t get that complacent that we have already qualified to the next stage. Our approach is to put up a spirited fight until the final whistle. The boys are in good shape and ready to fight for victory come Saturday’
Robert Sentongo (Assistant Captain)
We are confident we shall win this Saturday match but I just call upon my teammates to be focused. Shafiq Bakaki
“I am so impressed with the team’s attitude ahead of Saturday’s game and we are so focused to complete the job which is half way the journey. We want to win the match for our fans’.
As the Uganda Cranes continued with their preparations for the African Nations Championship return match against Tanzania Taifa Stars this Saturday 4th July 2015 in Nakivubo, the head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is thrilled with the performance of players in camp.
Micho’s close eye on his players L-R Umar Kasumba and Yasser Mugerwa. Photo/FUFA Communications
The locally based Uganda Cranes (CHAN Team) saw off their juniors Uganda Kobs 4-1 thanks to brilliant goals from, Farouk Miya, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Muhammed Fahad and Frank Kalanda before Kasumba Umar answering with a consolation goal for his side.
‘We set three teams and that’s CHAN A and B then plus Uganda Kobs. But again in the CHAN squad we have players who are below 23 years of age. So our intention of doing this is to monitor the fitness level of the other players who are not with us in camp yet they’re also into our plans’ Micho remarked shortly after the buildup Match
“We have Saturdays’ competitive match against Tanzania which is our top priority but mind you we also have to plan for a friendly match against Malawi in preparation for the U23 African Championship tie against Egypt as well’ emphasised Micho.
‘I have seen many positive things in this match but some areas need improvement. So on Thursday morning in camp we shall have a theoretical and an analytical session where we shall be correcting our mistakes’ added the Serbian.
The build-up match saw Fufa officials led by President Eng. Moses Magogo and Fufa Head of Technical committee Hamid Juma in attendance.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo in a suit watching closely the training at Nakivubo stadium on Wednesday evening. Photo: FUFA Communications
The team will train from the same venue on Thursday at 4pm.
Uganda leads Tanzania on goal aggregate 3-0 and the winner will advance to the next stage to take on Sudan.
Uganda Kobs will play a friendly game away against Malawi on 6th July before taking on U23 of Egypt on the weekend of 17-19 July 2015 in CAF Orange U23 African Nations championship
How players got lined up in the buildup match. Uganda Cranes Starting XI: Brian Bwete-GK, Deus Bukenya, Martin Kizza, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Richard Kasagga(Capt), Yasser Mugerwa, Yunus Sentamu, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Hassan Muhammed Fahad, Frank Kalanda, Bukenya Kitata.
Substitutions: James Alitho-GK, Denis Okot, Brian Ochwo, Shafiki Bakaki, Hassan Wasswa (Capt), Derrick Tekkwo, Erisa Ssekisambu, Kezironi Kizito, Farouk Miya, Robert Ssentongo, John Ssemazzi
Uganda Kobs Starting XI: Mathias Kigonya, Julius Ntambi, Dan Birikwalira, Hamisi Katende, Okello Slyvester, Abel Eturude, Abdul Karim Kasule, Robert Achema, Umar Kasumba, Brian Nkuubi, Ambrose Kirya
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) launched the 2015 CECAFA-Kagame Club Cup tournament in Dar es salaam, Tanzania on Wednesday 1st July 2015. The tournament starts July 18 to August 2.
The launch ceremony was attended by CECAFA Chairman, Eng. Leodegar Tenga , Secretary General Nicholas Musonye, Tanzanian FA Chairman Jamal Malinzi and TFF Secretary General Selestine Mwasigwa. Others included the representatives from Supersport .
Ugandan giants KCC FC have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania’s Azam FC, Malakia (South Sudan) and Adama City (Ethiopia) in the CECAFA Kagame cup to be hosted by Tanzania from Saturday 18th July -Saturday 2nd August, 2015 t the National stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In an e-mail communication from the office of the CECAFA Media Officer Rogers Mulindwa, the tournament has attracted 13 teams.
KCC’s opening fixture is against Azam FC on 19thJuly while three days later they will take on Adama City before winding up with Malakia FC on 25th July.
The teams are expected in Dar es Salaam not later than July 16th. CECAFA and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) will take care of all other expenses related to the event including full board accommodation, local transport and prize money among others.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the CECAFA Patron since 2002 has already committed a prize package of USD 60,000 to be shared as follows:- Winners USD 30,000, Second USD 20,000 and third USD 10,000.
B: APR (Rwanda), Al Shandy(Sudan), LLB AFC (Burundi), Heegan FC (Somalia)
C: Azam FC (Tanzania), Malakia (South Sudan), Adama City (Ethiopia), KCCA (Uganda)
MAIN PHOTO: L-R CECAFA top brass Nicholas Musonye (General), Leodegar Tenga (President) and Jamal Malinzi(TFF President) at CECAFA Press conference in Dares Salaam yesterday
The official player transfer window has opened on 1st July 2015.
Confirming the development to the media during the weekly press conference at Mengo, FUFA competitions director, Ali Mwebe reminded the clubs to follow the right procedure of transfer.
The window opened officially on 1st July 2015 and teams are advised to follow the right procedure of the Player Transfer Matching System (TMS)
Mwebe urged.
The transfer period will last for 85 days.
MAIN PHOTO: Competitions Director Ali Mwebe at the FUFA weekly press conference releasing guidelines for the transfer window that opened today.
The Tanzania Football Federation has finally confirmed to FUFA their date and time of arrival in Uganda ahead of the CHAN 2016 Qualifier at Nakivubo Stadium.
A contingent of 31 people (20 players and 11 officials) will leave Tanzania on 2 July 2015 from Dar es salaam.
They are expected at Entebbe International Airport at around 9:30 pm aboard Rwanda Air.
Tanzania has an advance team headed by Mr. Martin Chacha already in Kampala.
MAIN PHOTO: Chairman FUFA International Match Organising Committee Dr.Patrick Bernard Ogwel (R) addressing the media today. He briefed the media on the programme for Saturday’s match between Uganda and Tanzania.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president, Eng Moses Magogo has been invited to grace the FIFA Women football symposium which starts on the 3rd July to 6th July 2015 in Vancouver, Canada.
The FUFA Boss leaves Uganda on 1st July 2015 for the Symposium whose major objectives among others is to discuss and share ideas on how best women football world wide can be improved globally.
The president’s participation at the FIFA women football workshop is expected to further streamline the growth of women football in Uganda.
Uganda is the only African nation that has the women elite league being played.
The FUFA Women Elite League started in January 2015 and climaxed recently in June with Kawempe Muslim emerging the inaugural winners.
The Programme will be split up into three parts
3rd-4th July, 2015 Workshops for the persons in charge of women’s football at the member associations (Presidents are allowed to attend).
5th July, 2015 Meeting with the Presidents (Mandatory) of the member Associations and the persons in charge of women’s football at the member associations.
5th July, 2015 Attendance at the final of FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 for all delegates who participated in the symposium.
MAIN PHOTO: FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo (2nd R) will be in Canada for a FIFA Women football symposium. He was invited by FIFA. In the Photo, Magogo is seen shaking hands ith FIFA President Sepp Blatter. FUFA also selected Mariam Kaliga to represent the country at the same symposium.
Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in conjunction with the Ugandan football boday, FUFA has organized a week long elite coaching course for all the 16 clubs in the Azam Uganda Premier league.
The course shall take place at the FUFA Technical center in Njeru starting Monday 6th to Saturday, 11th July 2015.
One from each of the 16 elite club coaches have been invited for the course which will be handled by Tunisian FIFA FIFA Coaching instructor, Mr. Hatem Souissi.
The course was announced at the FUFA Weekly press conference on Wednesday, which took place at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala.
The course is free of charge to all the participating coaches.
FIFA referees from Djibouti will handle the return leg of the CHAN 2016 qualifier between Uganda and Tanzania at Nakivubo Stadium on Saturday.
Mr. Djamal Aden Aden Abdi will be the center referee.
He will be assisted by Abdillahi Mahamoud Il Tireh (first assistant), Hamze Abdi Salime (second assistant) and Souleiman Ahmed Djamal (fourth official).
The referees are expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport aboard Kenya Airlines KQ 416 at 8:30 p.m.
They will stay at Mount Zion Hotel.
The pre-match meeting will take place on Saturday, 4th July 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
The match commissioner will be Osama Ata Elmanan Hassan from Sudan.
Uganda leads 3-0 from the first leg with the aggregate winner progressing to face Sudan at the next level of qualifiers.
RETURN LEG OFFICIALS:
Center Referee: Djamal Aden Aden Abdi (Djibouti)
1st Assistant Referee: Abdillahi Mahamoud Il Tireh (Djibouti)
Entry Charges: 10,000/- (Ordinary), 20,000/- (VIP) and 30,000 (VVIP)
As CAF Orange African Nations Championships (CHAN) return leg match between Uganda Cranes and Tanzania Taifa Stars nears for this Saturday, all the Tuesday’s drills held at African Bible Society in Lubowa were centered on tactical elements as opposed to the usual sessions held since last Friday.
Both Uganda Cranes of locally based players and Uganda Kobs’ are under taking serious training ahead of packed July with international fixtures lined-up for both teams.
Since the non-residential training resumed at Vienna College-Namugongo last Friday, head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredjovich has been handling different elements inter-changeably.
But in Tuesday’s training Micho’s focus was centered mostly on creating scoring opportunities and how to convert them as well as defending and attacking in group.
Look, football is a game of awaking people and that is why train. As we practice we touch all elements. Today we have handled winning the ball, transforming to attack, scoring from set pieces and open play. We are also focusing on moment of ball losing, set-up the defence, defend and attack as a team. I feel the boys are much focused and ready for Saturday’s game.
Meanwhile in other developments, after the CHAN match, a pool of Uganda Kobs selected players will be traveling for an away friendly game against Malawi on 6th July.2015 as they prepare for an away competitive fixture against Egypt in Alexandria in the CAF Orange U23 African Nations Championship.
The team enters residential camp on Wednesday at sky Hotel Nalya and will conduct the training in the match day venue at War memorial stadium Nakivubo
Players who trained on Tuesday:
Goalkeepers:
James Alitho [Sc Vipers], Brian Bwete [URA FC], Mathias Kigonya [Bright Stars FC]
Defenders:
Deus Bukenya [Sc Vipers] Brian Ochwo [SC VU], Silvester Okello [Maroons FC], Hassan Wasswa [SC Villa], Shafik Bakaki [SC Vipers], Ibrahim Kiyemba [Lweza FC], Richard Jjuko Kasagga [KCC FC], Julius Ntambi [Kira young], Denis Okot [KCC FC]
Nile Breweries Limited under the flagship brand, Nile Special have extended the sponsorship partnership with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) by four years. The deal is worth Ugx 4 billion.
The momentous ceremony took place on Tuesday, 30th June 2015 at the Luzira based Nile Breweries Limited plant.
FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson, first vice president, Justus Mugisha, Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin Sredojevic, his assistant Moses Basena and Uganda Cranes defender, Richard Kasagga witnessed the new deal announcement.
Nile Breweries Limited marketing Director Daniel Ogong, sponsorship manager, Isaac Ssekasi and Sam Hooper represented the beer company.
As a brand we take special pride in local occasions that bring us together as Ugandans and the national team is such a one
Mr Ogong remarked.
In the new deal, 1.8 Billion will go direct to the FUFA account for the national team activities, 2.2 billion is an additional package to promote the national team through media and countrywide tours for over the four years.
The current sponsorship package in comparison to the previous sponsorship deal that was worth UgX 1.2 Billion for three years, to October, 2015.
The package takes the form of cash, communication during the national team engagements and the Nile Special Cranes Na Mutima tours.
Our major objective is to improve Cranes’ country-wide appeal so that it remains a viable platform to associate with. This partnership will help identify more players. This shows that the sponsor believes in the football projects of FUFA’ said Mr. Mugisha who was chief guest as he represented the FUFA President Eng.Moses Magogo.
At the same function, Ogong handed over 54M to the CEO which was collected by fans from last year’s Cranes Na-Mutima campaign.
Nile Breweries Limited is one of the FUFA and Uganda Cranes sponsors.
Other brands are Magic White Star Soap (Bidco Uganda Limited), National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and Airtel Uganda Limited the official sponsors of the Cranes.
Uganda Cranes of locally based players together with the Uganda Kobs’ has on Monday afternoon continued with the non-residential preparatory training session at Vienna College-Namugongo ahead of Saturday’s second leg tie against Taifa Stars of Tanzania in CAF Orange African Nations Championship at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium.
Also a pool of selected players will be traveling for an away build-up game against Malawi on 6th July.2015 two days after the CHAN match.
Farouk Miya (SC Vipers), Dennis Okoth and Muzamir Mutyaba (both from Kampala City Council FC) all joined the rest of the squad on Monday after the trio missing out in the first two days of the training.
Farouk Miya was technically given two extra days to rest after being involved in non-stop actions both at club and at the National team while Dennis Okoth and Muzamir Mutyaba were officially asked to miss by their new club KCC.
Uganda Cranes has a 3-0 goal advantage from their first leg away victory at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, thanks to Erisa Sekisambu’s brace and Farouk Miya well taken penalty goal.
The team started non-residential training on Friday at Vienna College-Namugogo and will enter camp this Wednesday 1st July 2015 at African Bible Society in Lubowa.
On Tuesday the training will be held at African Bible Society in Lubowa at 16Hrs00. Players who trained on Monday:
Goalkeepers:
James Alitho [Sc Vipers], Brian Bwete [URA FC], Mathias Kigonya [Bright Stars FC]
Defenders:
Deus Bukenya [Sc Vipers] Brian Ochwo [SC VU], Silvester Okello [Maroons FC], Hassan Wasswa [SC Villa], Shafik Bakaki [SC Vipers], Ibrahim Kiyemba [Lweza FC], Richard Jjuko Kasagga [KCC FC], Julius Ntambi [Kira young], Denis Okot [KCC FC]
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)/Airtel Rising Stars U-17 boys and girls tournament for the year 2015 will soon kick off with the district qualifiers.
However the initial programme for the kickoff was slated for the regions of Kitara and Western but in a circular issued by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson shows that the dates remain unchanged but Kampala will play host to the opening qualifiers on 11th July, 2015.
The new programme will start with Kampala followed by Bugand region on25th July then Western and Kitara (15th August) before Gulu hosts West Nile and Northern Region qualifiers on 12th September. North East and Eastern Regions -Mbale -29th August, 2015.
The National Final Championship will be held on 31st October, 2015 in Mbarara.
The district qualifiers will see four teams per region make it to the regional finals which start on the 11th July 2015 in Kampala region.
The dates for district qualifiers will be determined by the Regional football Associations.
FUFA and Airtel Uganda shall support the regional preliminary qualifier finals with winning trophies and match officials allowances only.
FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson clarifies.
This is the 5th year that the FUFA/Airtel Rising Stars football programme will be played.
The new detailed Regional Programmes:
Kampala Region – in Rubaga – 11th July 2015
Buganda Region – Masaka – 25th July 2015
Western & Kitara Regions – Masindi– 15th August 2015
North East and Eastern Regions -Mbale -29th August, 2015
West Nile & Northern Regions – Arua– 12th September, 2015
National Finals – 31st October 2015 – Mbarara
MAIN PHOTO: Key players of the Uganda U-23 and CHAN squad. L-R MartinKiiza, Keziron Kizito and Farouk Miya.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Grassroots football development programme was fully embraced by Nakawa Division.
Over 500 young footballers, both girls and boys aged between 6 to 14 years added the programme at Luzira Church of Uganda Primary school on Saturday.
The major focus of the programme is to identify and nurture talent at tender age.
FUFA invited pupils from several primary schools in Nakawa Division and these are Murchison Bay Primary School, Luzira Church of Uganda, Islamic Biina, St James Biina, Progressive Junior School, Saaba and Bishop Cyprian primary school.
CHAN 2016 QUALIFIER: Tanzania Vs Uganda – 4th July 2015 at Nakivubo Stadium
Charges: 10,000/-(Open stands-Kirussia), 20,000/- (covered stands ) and 30,000/- (Pavilion)
INTERNATIONAL BUILD UP: Malawi Vs Uganda – 6th July 2015, In Malawi
CAF U-23 QUALIFIER: Egypt Vs Uganda – 18th July 2015
In Alexandria, Egypt
A group of twenty two local based Uganda Cranes’ players combined with those of Under 23 has today (Saturday) morning trained at Vienna College Namugongo ahead of the return leg against Tanzania Taifa Stars on Saturday 4th July 2015 at Nakivubo War Memorial stadium in Kampala and a friendly game in Malawi on 6th July 2015 respectively.
Sunday will be rest day but the players will resume training on Monday 4pm still at Vienna College.
During the training session, head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic emphasized on ball control, creativity and scoring opportunities. The session lasted close to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Uganda carries a 3-0 goal advantage into the return leg first round action after comfortably beating their opponents Tanzania at the Amaan stadium in Zanzibar last weekend.
The team resumed non-residential training on Friday at Vienna College-Namugogo and will enter camp at Sky Hotel-Nalya on 1st July 2015.
Players who trained on Saturday:
Goalkeepers: James Alitho, Brian Bwete, Mathias Kigonya
Defenders: Deus Bukenya, Brian Ochwo, Silvester Okello, Hassan Wasswa, Shafik Bakaki, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Richard Jjuko Kasagga, Julius Ntambi
Strikers: Yunus Sentamu, John Semazi, Robert Sentongo, Frank Kalanda, Alex Kitata Bukenya, Fahad Mohamed Tokko
Micho not carried away by first leg advantage
Despite getting a convincing win away in Zanzibar, Micho is not carried away by the result.
‘We carry an advantage of three goals but we are not carried away with what have happened on the Island’ said Micho.
‘We are still analyzing deep inside, details of the game and we are expecting a different football game at home in front of our home crowd. Our opponents will be forced to come all out and attack us but we believe that the best way to defend is to attack’ added Micho.
“I know our opponent will come here and try to attack us but we are set and ready to fight on’ Micho further remarked.
Erisa Sekisambu speaks
As Uganda beat Tanzania 0-3 at the Amaan stadium Zanzibar in the first leg of the African Nations championship qualifiers, Sekisambu was the hero of the day when he saw the back of the net twice on his debut day for Cranes.
Erisa Ssekisambu
After scoring in Zanzibar I got more confidence and now I have a task of maintaining that to prove to my critics that I am a good player. Now that the playing environment is so good and user-friendly for me, I will try to work so hard to see my dream come true
Added Ssekisambu who was named MVP of the 2014/2015 Uganda cup.
CHAN 2016 QUALIFIER: Tanzania Vs Uganda – 4th July 2015
At Nakivubo Stadium
Charges: 10,000/-(Open stands-Kirussia), 20,000/- (covered stands ) and 30,000/- (Pavilion)
INTERNATIONAL BUILD UP: Malawi Vs Uganda – 6th July 2015
In Malawi
CAF U-23 QUALIFIER: Egypt Vs Uganda – 18th July 2015
In Alexandria, Egypt
Uganda Cranes and Kobs combined players trained at Vienna College, Namugongo on Friday evening ahead of three crucial fixtures.
With the exception of only five players, Farouk Miya, Milton Kalisa, Saidi Kyeyune, Denis Okoth and Muzamiru Mutyaba, the rest of the players all turned up for training that lasted at least 2 hours.
The teams are preparing for three vital matches in July.
Uganda hosts Tanzania in the CHAN return leg first round on Saturday, 4th July 2015 at Nakivubo stadium before traveling away on twice, first to Malawi for the 6th July international build up and then on the 18th July for the first leg of the CAF U-23 qualifiers to the Senegal finals showpiece in December later this year.
Saturday training shall take place in the morning starting at 9 a.m. At Vienna College.
Players Who trained on Friday:
Goalkeepers: James Alitho, Brian Bwete, Mathias Kigonya
Defenders: Deus Bukenya, Brian Ochwo, Silvester Okello, Hassan Wasswa, Shafik Shafiq, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Richard Jjuko Kasagga, Julius Ntambi
Midfielders: Derrick Tekkwo, Yasser Mugerwa, Kizito Keziron, Erisa Sekisambu and Martin Kizza
Strikers: Yunus Sentamu, John Semazi, Robert Sentongo, Frank Kalanda, Alex Kitata Bukenya and Fahad Mohamed Tokko
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) – Airtel Rising Stars U-17 boys and girls tournament for the year 2015 will soon kick off with the district qualifiers.
The district qualifiers will see four teams per region make it to the regional finals which start on the 11th July 2015 with the Kitara and Western regions.
The dates for district qualifiers will be determined by the Regional football Associations.
FUFA and Airtel Uganda shall support the regional preliminary qualifier finals with winning trophies and match officials allowances only.
FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson clarifies.
This is the 5th year that the Airtel Rising Stars football programme will be played.
Detailed Regional Programmes:
Kitara & Western Region – Masindi – 11th July 2015
Kampala & Buganda Region – Masaka – 25th July 2015
Eastern & North East Regions – Mbale – 15th September 2015
West Nile & Northern Regions – Gulu – 17th October 2015
Stade Malien (Mali) Vs Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt)
At Modibo Keita Stadium, Bamako – Mali
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Mark Ssonko, a Ugandan FIFA referee as part of the officiating team for the upcoming CAF Group A confederations Cup between Stade Malien of Mali and Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt.
The match shall take place at the Modibo Keita Stadium in the Malian capital of Bamako on the 12th day of July 2015.
Ssonko will be the second assistant referee in the fixture.
Burundi’s Thierry Nkurunziza is the center referee, with country mate, Jean Claude Birumshahu the first assistant.
Rwandese Hudu Munyemana is the reserve referee while Senegal’s Oumar Diop is the match commissioner.
Modou Sowe from Gambia has been appointed as the match assessor and the general coordinator is Khaled Lemkecher from Tunisia.
Ssonko made history as the first Ugandan referee to officiate at the Championship of Africas Nations (CHAN) football tournament, when he was appointed by CAF at the finals in 2014 that took place in South Africa.
Referees:
Thierry Nkurunziza (Burundi) – Center Referee
Jean Claude Birumushahu (Burundi) – 2nd Assistant Referee
Mark Ssonko (Uganda) – 2nd Assistant Referee
Hudu Munyemana (Rwanda) – Reserve Referee
Oumar Diop (Senegal) – Match Commissioner
Sowe Modou (Gambia) – Referee Assessor
Khaled Lemkecher (Tunisia) – General Coordinator
Copy and Paste MARK SSONKO’s interview link with www.fufa.co.ug;
