Author: Ahmed Marsha

International Build Up Game:

Uganda 1 – 0 Seychelles

Uganda Cranes has beaten Seychelles by a slim 1 – 0 score in an International build up game played at the KCCA Stadium in Lugogo today evening.

On form midfielder, Farouq Miya scored the only goal from a header in a match being played in mild drizzles.

Miya connected a well delivered cross from defender Richard Kassaga on the left in the 27th minute.

Miya had missed a penalty moments earlier.

This is one of the two international friendlies lined up for Uganda with the final warm up set for Tuesday against Malawi at Namboole Stadium.

Seychelles too, like Uganda is preparing for an AFCON qualifier away to Sierra leone. Uganda takes on Mauritania at Namboole Stadium on the 19th July 2014.

The winner over the two legs will join Ghana,  Togo and Guinea in the last phase of the qualifiers.

How Uganda Started the game:

Robert Odongkara (Goal keeper), Dennis Iguma, Isaac Isinde, Savio Kabugo, Richard Kassaga, Joseph Ochaya, Ivan Ntege, Farouq Miya, Allan Kyambadde, Brian Majwega and  Hamis ‘Diego’ Kizza.

Cranes Second half Changes:

Yunus Sentamu, Muzamiru Mutyaba, William Wadri, Nicolas Wadada and Murushid Jjuuko

The Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) has today officially launched the calendar for the 2014 / 15 season.

The launch took place at the Athina Club House, Kololo in Kampala where the Association members, club officials and the media also attended.

“We are committed to running the league and other activities to see that this sport is promoted to other parts of the country”, Deo Mutabazi, president, UBSA told www.fufa.co.ug.

16 teams (8 apiece of the Moonson and Hurriken groups) will participate in the league bank rolled by Crown Beverages under the Pepsi brand.

3 new teams have been promoted- Talented FC, Entebbe United and YMCA replacing the relegated Zai Plaza, Fisheries Training Institute and Kabalagala Rangers.

“There will be a special grace period given to all teams to complete the player recuirtment exercise and registration procedure”, Charles Ssemanda Nandigobe remarked.

The Uganda Beach soccer Association will host a special fitness test for all referees on the 27th July 2014 before the league officially kicks on 24th August 2014.

Defending Champions Kira Young and last season’s runner up Nkumba Select will play the opener.

Series of Activities:

The leagues (men and women), FIFA referees and Coaches courses, Media Seminar and gala, University and Schools’ tournaments, Youth cup, Copa Entebbe, Corporate beach soccer and next year’s CAF African Championships are the events planned.

“Like we have done it perfectly in the previous seasons, this year round will be a special one with world class organization”, FUFA delegate in charge of Beach Soccer, Anthony Tumwesigye told the club officials and the media.

The Calendar:

27th July – Referees Fitness Test

24th August – League Kick off (Men)

7th September – League Kick off (women)

31st August – 4th National Beach Soccer for Schools

4 – 5th October – 5th National University Beach Soccer event

31st August – Youth Beach Soccer

13th December – Corporate Challenge

3rd – 4th January 2015 – Copa Entebbe

14th – 19th April 2015 – CAF Africa Championships in Seychelles.

Main Photo: UBSA president, Deo Mutabaazi (second left) and Charles Ssemanda Competitions secretary (enjoying the sponsor’s drink) at the Association head quarters- Athina House on Friday

Photo Credit: FUFA Communications Department

CAF U-17 qualifier:

Sat, 19th July 2014

Uganda U-17 Vs Rwanda U-17

At Namboole (2 pm)

Ahead of the first leg CAF Under 17 qualifier against Rwanda on Saturday, 19th July 2014, the Ugandan team has today entered the residential camp at Njeru Technical Center, Jinja.

“We have entered camp with 5 new players on the team”, the team manager, Herbert Nsubuga told www.fufa.co.ug.

The players, who had a light training session at Nakivubo Stadium will be having two training sessions per day at Njeru.

Head coach Matia Lule is optimistic his young troops will measure up to the challenge at hand.

“Handling minors has always differed from senior players. However, the teachnical team is preparing them in the best way possible for the best home result”, Matia Lule says.

Saturday 19th July 2014

CAF U-17 Qualifier  – Uganda Vs Rwanda – 2 pm

AFCON 2015 Qualifier – Uganda Vs Mauritania – 5 pm

Both games at Mandela National stdium, Namboole

Entry fees (Both Matches)

20,000/= (open stands)

50,000/= (VIP)

120,000/= (VVIP)

Uganda football fans will enjoy a double header of International matches on the 19th July 2014 at Mandela National stadium, Namboole.

Uganda U-17 -the Cubs and National senior side-Cranes will be play on the same day.

The Cubs will enter the fray first at 2 pm against neighbors Rwanda before the Cranes face Mauritania three hours later (5 p.m) in the first leg of the AFCON 2015 Qualifier.

Office of FUFA CEO Communication:

“Following clearance from CAF Competitions directorate of hosting the African Cup of Nations and CAF U-17 qualifiers on the same day, the kick off times are here by fixed as Uganda V Rwanda (2pm) – match number 37 and Uganda Vs Mauritania (5 pm) – match number 35”, Decolas Kizza says in a communique to the CAF deputy Competitions director, Nasser Khaleed, who sits in Egyptian city of El Hay El Motamayez.

Also copied in this letter are the officials of Mauritania and Rwandan football federations plus the management of Mandela National stadium, Namboole.

This implies football fans will have to use one ticket depending on how much they pay to access the stadium for both games.

Photo: Uganda U-17 team that knocked out Seychelles. The fans will have a chance to watch the youthful players in action on the same day Cranes play Mauritania. The Cubs have a fixture against Rwanda on 19th July, 2014 at Namboole stadium. 

Uganda Vs Mauritania

19th July 2014

At Namboole Stadium

4:00 p.m

Charges for tickets: 20,000/-(Ordinary) , 50,000/= (VIP) and 120,000/-

 

Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sedrojevic has named a 31 man squad preparing for the AFCON 2015 qualifier against Mauritania on Saturday, 19th July 2014 at Namboole Stadium. The Serbian announced the squad during today’s weekly FUFA Press conference in Mengo.

Midfielder, Mike Azira is the notable inclusion of the foreign based legion while the squad also has one of the Cranes most senior players Godfrey Walusimbi who missed the qualifiers in the first round against Madagascar due to suspension.

Martin Mutumba Kayongo, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda,  Daniel Sserunkuma, Tonny Mawejje and defender Henry Kalungi who were all part of the team that prepared for Madagascar game miss out.

Tusker based midfielder, Aucho Khalid was omitted because he will be missing the next physically played game having accumulated two yellow cards the games Cranes against Madagascar.

FULL SQUAD:

Goal Keepers:

Robert Odongkara, Denis Onyango, Benjamin Ochan and Ismail Watenga

Defenders:

Nicolas Wadada, Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Saaka Mpima, Okoth Denis, Andrew Mwesigwa, Isaac Muleme, Brian Majwega, Richard Kasagga, Savio Kabugo, Isaac Isinde and Murushid Jjuuko.

Midfielders:

Ivan Ntege, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Moses Oloya, William Luwagga Kizito, Mike Azira, Allan Kyambadde, Muzamil Mutyaba, Farouq Miya, William Wadri and Joseph Ochaya.

Strikers:

Emmanuel Okwi, Yunus Ssentamu, Geoffrey Massa, Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza, Brian Umony

Photo: The Uganda Cranes XI that played Madagascar at Namboole stadium. Walusimbi will be happy to play at the same stadium again after serving his two match suspension. 

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Eng. Moses Magogo has appreciated the players, fans, sponsors, g

government and the major stake holders that work day and night to see the growth of football in the country.

“I thank the fans who have been with us all through supporting Uganda football as they got the result against Madagascar to progress.We organize these games for the fans not our selves”, he said during the weekly press conference held at FUFA house in Mengo today.

 

Collective Responsibility:

Magogo further explained  that the federation is the most interested party that would like to see the national team qualify for the African Nations cup finals since 1978.

“There is a lot done behind the scenes as we prepare the national team for an international engagement ranging from the players’ preparations, administrative work and every other effort to have matches played”, he told the media.

 

Sponsors and Partners:

The Federation is glad about the national team’s sponsors and partners (Airtel Uganda, Nile Breweries, and National Insurance Corporation).

“The sponsors help in getting the players through the first phase, then the second phase where we have planned for six international games in a month” Magogo, who  also hinted about the federation re-branding process highlighted.

FIFA Development Budget Increased:

The president hinted on the increased package from the world’s ruling body as regards the development of the game.

“The federation is happy that the development will continue given the increment in the FIFA development funds. The value, brand and image of the federation will definitely continue to grow at Fufa . The increased budget can help us improve on infrastructure, women, youth and education”, said Magogo

He however explained the development can never be spent on the national senior team-Uganda Cranes

Rallies for Continued Government Support:

Governments world over play crucial roles as regards the development of games and recreational departments of the respective nations.

Similarly, the FUFA president reechoed the need for the substantial support from Government as far as the football development process is concerned.

“We can’t achieve success by expecting the federation to perform miracles. These players on national duty need to be remunerated well”, he urged, as he also rallied support from other stake holders such as the media.

The FUFA president was among the hundreds of football delegates at the 2014 FIFA congress in Brazil.

FIFA has 209 members and Fufa was represented by the President himself, Federation CEO Edgar Watson and Justus Mugisha.

Photo: FUFA President addressing the media today in Mengo

Photo credit: FUFA Communications department

 

Goalie Robert Odongkara trained with the rest of the teammates on Tuesday at Namboole Stadium.

Uganda Cranes Programme:

Wed, 9th – Thurs, 19th July : Daily Double Training Sessions, Micho to address media

Fri, 11th July: Uganda Vs Seychelles – Build up game (At Lugogo)

Mon, 14th July : Uganda Vs Malawi – 2nd Build up game (At Namboole)

Tues, 15th – Fri, 18th July: Daily Training

Sat, 19th July : Uganda Vs Mauritania (AFCON 2015 1st leg qualifier) – At Namboole

St George duo of Goalie Robert Odongkara and defender Isaac Isinde joined the Uganda Cranes Sky Hotel camp today and trained with the rest of the players in the afternoon session at Namboole Stadium.

The two join the other foreign based players already in the camp whose respective domestic leagues came to a close.

They are , the Tanzanian trio of Brian Omony (Azan), Hamis ‘Diego’ Kizza,  Emmanuel Okwi (Yanga) and Ghana based Joseph Ochaya , who plies his professional trade with top Ghana Premier league side, Asante Kotoko.

The rest of the players in the camp comprises of the local based group who have been playing in the Uganda Cranes Na – Mutima regional tours across the country.

Team training resumes on Wednesday morning at 7 a.m for a duration of one and a half hours.

Uganda is preparing for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania on the 19th July 2014 at Namboole Stadium.

Before that crucial fixture, the team will play two international build up games, the first against Seychelles this Friday at Lugogo and the second against Malawi, two days later.

Weekly FUFA Press Conference:

Meanwhile, the FUFA President, Eng Moses Magogo will address the media during the Wednesday (July 9th 2014) press conference at FUFA House in Mengo starting at 10:00 a.m.

FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo will address the media on various issues on Wednesday at FUFA House.

Full Uganda Cranes Programme:

Ahead of the first leg with Mauritania, Uganda Cranes started preparations with Gym work sessions at the state of Art Paradise Fittness City Gym (located at Acacia mall at Kisementi) and are set to enter camp at Sky Hotel on Tuesday morning before a session later in the afternoon at Namboole Stadium.

The rest of the programme is as listed below with a few photographs from the Gym on Monday.

Mon, 7th July 2014 – Gym work at Paradise Fitness City Gym at Acacia Mall (Kisementi) in Kampala.

Striker Yunus Sentamu undergoing power drills at the Paradise Fittness City, Acacia Mall Gym on Monday.

Tues, 8th July 2014 – Team Enters Camp at Sky Hotel in morning and trains afternoon at Namboole Stadium.

Wed, 9th – Thurs, 19th July : Daily Double Training Sessions, Micho to address media

Fri, 11th July: Uganda Vs Seychelles – Build up game (At Lugogo)

Midfielder Allan Kyambadde going through the paces.

Mon, 14th July : Uganda Vs Malawi – 2nd Build up game (At Namboole)

Tues, 15th – Fri, 18th July: Daily Training

Left Full back Joseph Ochaya

Sat, 19th July : Uganda Vs Mauritania (AFCON 2015 1st leg qualifier) – At Namboole

Uganda Cranes head Coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sedrojevic guides defender Murushid Jjuuko during the gym work sessions.

Players pose with the management of the Paradise Fitness City Gym after the morning work outs.

Photos: FUFA Communication Department

FULL-TIME: Uganda Cranes 2 – 0 North East

A goal in each half by Farouk Miya and Joseph Ochaya has given the Uganda Cranes a 2 – 0 away victory over North East region select team at the Soroti Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Impressive midfielder, Farouk Miya continued with his rich goal scoring form with a stunning effort in the 39th minute.

Center referee, Albert Omoding with the other officials meet the 2 team skippers at kick off.

Asante Kotoko left full back, Joseph Ochaya doubled the lead on resumption with a well converted penalty effort after team skipper, Emmanuel Okwi was brought down in the forbidden area.

Cranes XI (First half):
Ismail Watenga [Gk ] Shaka Mpima ,Brian Majwega, Juuko Murushid , Savio Kabugo , Kyambadde Allan , Wadada Nicholas , Mutyaba Muzamir , Sentamu Yunus , Miya Fourouk, Wadri Willam.

North East head coach;John Michael Erebu

Cranes XI (Second half)
Ochan Benjamin , Okoth Denis , Muleme Isac , Kasaga Richard ,Savio Kabugo , Ntege Ivan , Kizza Hamis , Guma Denis , Okiw Emanuel , Umony Brian and Ochaya Joseph .

Match Officials :
Omoding Albert – Center Referee
Odeke John Luke – 1st Assistant
Odong Max – 2nd Assistant
Bogere Mohammed – 4th Official
Ssemakula Abdallah – Match Assessor

Federation of Uganda Football Associations President, Eng. Moses Magogo has today held a brain storming meeting with the different officials of the North East region.

One of the fruitful deliberations from the meeting was the expressed commitment of FUFA towards helping the region develop a standard football playing ground in the region.

The North East region has several districts of Soroti, Ngora, Napak, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Amuria, Katawi, Amolatar, Nakapiripirit, Serere, Kumi and Moroto.

FUFA Executive committee member from the region, Richard Ochom appreciated the great efforts of the federation towards developing the game in the region.

Standard fields:

The regional football chairman Stephen Onyait hinted on the availability of football grounds in the region many of which needed ungrading.

“We have so many playing fields but we call for a standard ground which will be accessed by all”, Onyait submitted.

Onyait’s due concerns were answered in flash when the President pledged support for the region towards the accomplishment of that goal.

Football the Beautiful Game:

“Football is a beautiful game which must make us happy and bring us together”, Magogo said in his opening remarks.

He expressed delight about the level of the game’s development process in the region particularly in Nepak and Moroto areas.

Urging unity as a primary key point in the development process, he reinstated the need of all the region’s delegates to work as a unit than individuals.

“It becomes difficult if the delegates are not friends .I can’t generate a good football product for you if you are at logger heads”, Magogo who was marking his first time in the region added.

Operational North East Regional league:

A fully active running regional league is one aspect the president appreciated and called for more activeness from all stakeholders.

“The powers to run football at lower levels and in the regions is now entirely on regional football associations including the appointment of referees. I am happy for the league here. Fufa will give support to the regional football associations”, he remarked.

Photo Moment: Some of the North East football region officials pose for a group photograph with the FUFA President (4th left)

Other key aspects:

He also urged the region to start early preparations for the forthcoming inter regions to be hosted by north east region football association.

Soroti town will be the host.

He also briefed the members on the recent developments at the federation especially the new Fufa logo, the rebranded cranes jersey and the assets.

He also briefed the meeting On the matters where IGG inquired about the Fufa land titles, with a firm  promise, all is under  t under control and FUFA will as usual continue to develop the beautiful game and take it to another level of administration and management across the Country, region, continent and globally.

The meeting has been followed by an exhibition match between the FUFA officials and North East region officials.

The North East Officials won the game 1 – 0. The President and the national team, The Cranes had visited the area on the Nile Special regional tours dubbed ‘Uganda Cranes Na-Mutima’, the second of the many regional tours the national team will make across the nation as way of fans gelling with their respective stars.

 

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president, Eng. Moses Magogo has today launched the North Eastern region football Association office block in Soroti.

The launch was conducted shortly before the second of the many exhibition matches  that are to be played across the different 8 regions of FUFA in Uganda.

The North East region covers the districts of Soroti, Ngora, Napak, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Amuria, Katawi, Amolatar, Nakapiripirit, Serere, Kumi and Moroto.

Eng. Moses Magogo (4th right) in a group photograph with some of the members of the North East football Association region.

Main Photo: FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo officially cuts the tape to open offices of north east region football association in Soroti on Sunday.

Photo Credits: FUFA Communication Department.

UGANDA CRANES NA – MUTIMA REGIONAL TOURS:

Today:

Uganda Cranes Vs North East Select

Kick off : 4:00 pm

At Soroti Play grounds

Uganda Cranes and North East players are ready for the exhibition  match scheduled for the Soroti play grounds between the North East region and the national team.

FUFA XI faced the North East regional officials in the day’s opening curtain raiser. Ejakaiti Otim Daniel scored the goal in the hosts’ slim 1 – 0 victory at Soroti Municpal Stadium.

The Team that started in Soroti: [L-R] Standing: Ismail Watenga [Gk ], Allan Kyambadde, Murushid Jjuuko, William Wadri, Yunus Sentamu, and Savio Kabugo (Captain).

Front Row [L-R]: Shaka Mpima,  Nicolas Wadada, Farouk Miya, Brian Majwega and Mutyaba Muzamir.

This is the second of the national team build up matches for the Cranes as the country wide tour programme dubbed ‘Uganda Cranes Na- Mutima’ moves on.

The matches are intended at bringing the beautiful game closer to the local communities where fans get a chance to familiarize with their local heroes and national team stars.

A mammoth crowd at Soroti Municipal stadium awaiting the game between Uganda Cranes and North East Select team.

The whole project is sponsored by Nile Special, one of the sponsors for the national football team.

Uganda Cranes head coach named two sides that will face the North East regional team.

A team will play in either halves

Cranes XI (To be used in First half):
Ismail Watenga [Gk ] Shaka Mpima ,Brian Majwega, Juuko Murushid , Savio Kabugo , Kyambadde Allan , Wadada Nicholas , Mutyaba Muzamir , Sentamu Yunus , Miya Fourouk, Wadri Willam .

Cranes XI (To be used in Second half):
In the second half Micho will keep Savio Kabugo only in the second team.
Ochan Benjamin , Okoth Denis , Muleme Isac , Kasaga Richard ,Savio Kabugo , Ntege Ivan , Kizza Hamis , Guma Denis , Okiw Emanuel , Umony Brian and Ochaya Joseph .

Match Officials :
Omoding Albert – Center Referee
Odeke John Luke – 1st Assistant
Odong Max – 2nd Assistant
Bogere Mohammed – 4th Official
Kayiwa Abdalla –  Match Assessor

Main Photo: The North East region team that started the game at the Soroti play grounds against the Cranes.

Photo Credits: FUFA Communications Department.

Programme for Cranes na Mutima in Soroti

Saturday 5th July, 2014 

Venue: Soroti Municipal stadium

Curtain raiser match: FUFA XI vs North East Region coaches 

Main match: Uganda Cranes XI vs North East Region XI

Time: 4 pm

The FUFA North East Region has gone for Soroti Garage FC coaches Erebu John Micheal and Okwi Geoffrey when they take on Uganda Cranes in an exhibition match tomorrow at the Soroti Municipal stadium in the ongoing ‘Cranes na Mutima’ campaign sponsored by Nile Special.

Ngora Freda Carr star midfielder Akol Godfrey will captain the side while Anaru Gilbert is his assistant.

The Cranes who are using the tour to garner for more support and get closer to the fans country wide will be hoping to  pick up another win having edged Western region in the tour’s opening match 1-0 at Kakyeka stadium last Sunday.

After this trip, the Cranes will concentrate on preparations for the game against Mauritania after CAF disqualified Equatorial Guinea for using an ineligible player during the ongoing qualification process.

The Cranes left this morning at 8 O’clock for Soroti.

List of players for North East Region:

Ogwela Peter (Kaberamaido), Adepo Alex (Soroti), Elungat Julius (Amuria), Ouma Andrew (Kumi), Omoding Seth (Soroti) ,Opolot Joseph (Ngora), Otim Geofrey (Ngora), Okwir Dickens (Kaberamaido), Opejo Kokas (Kumi), Akol  Godfrey (Kumi) (Captain), Vandoken Emma (Katakwi), Arwata  Julius (Katakwi), Otingole Brian (Soroti), Oligo  Geofrey (Soroti), Olupot Joshua (Soroti), Esenu Musa (Amuria), Imman  Iisa (Soroti), Opedun Paul (Amuria), Anaru Gilbert (Katakwi) (Assistant Captain), Olum Simon (Amuria), Emunyu Paul (Soroti), Moko John (Bukedea)

Coach: Erebu John Micheal,  Okwi Geoffrey (Assistant)

Photo: Okwi will play in Soroti where both the player Cranes have a huge following. 

Photo Credit: FUFA Communications department