Author: Ahmed Marsha

The withdraw has been confirmed to CAF and subsequently communicated to all the concerned parties including Ghana and the match officials. Uganda was slated to host Ghana on the weekend of 6-8 December 2013 before the return leg a fortnight later.

Having assessed that the new trend required to have substantial funds to prepare and organize for both the home and away matches against Ghana (and Equatorial Guinea or Zambia in case of qualification to the next round within a period of only seven weeks), FUFA could not commit the funds at the expense of other women football activities scheduled on the football calendar year.

The focus henceforth is drawn towards using the available resources to get involved in activities that would engage more girls’ participation in women football within the country. The Federation Technical Director and the line standing committee are in charge of the priorities in this regard.

FUFA further draws everybody’s kind attention that the withdraw from the competition has been done with the spirit of having more girls/women activities done in the country within the available resources.

The Uganda Cranes safely touched Kenyatta International Airport Monday afternoon ready to take up the task of defending this year’s CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

The team will be playing Rwanda in their first fixture on Friday at Machakos stadium about 60Kms East of Nairobi city. Uganda is accommodated at Milele Hotel just a few meters away from Nyayo Stadium, the main ground for this year’s tournament.

Gor Mahia FC striker Dan Serunkuuma joined the Cranes Camp here in Nairobi and he was part of the training this afternoon. Emmanuel Okwi will captain the team against Rwanda in the second match of group ‘C’. The two teams played to a goalless draw in their last international friendly match held in Kampala two weeks ago.

Ten out of the twelve teams had already reached Nairobi by press time. Tanzania and Ethiopia are expected this Tuesday. The tournament will officially be flagged off on Wednesday with an expected thriller between hosts Kenya and Ethiopia at Nyayo stadium. Earlier in the day, Zanzibar will have played South Sudan in the first game of this year’ edition at the same ground.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo is already in Nairobi while Chris Kalibbala led the Ugandan delegation.

The Uganda Cranes Coach on Saturaday afternoon released a 20 man squad that will travel to Nairobi to defend the CECAFA Challenge Cup 2013.

Gor Mahia striker Dan Sserunkuuma is one of the only four professional players on the list. Others are Diego Kiiza (Young Sports Club, Tanzania), Aucho Khalid (Tusker FC, Kenya) and Geoffrey Kizito (Vietnam).

The Uganda Cranes edged Kenya 1-0 in the finals to lift the 2012 challenge Cup in Kampala.

The team is expected to leave Kampala on Monday aboard Kenya Airways.    Emmanuel Okwi will captain the team.

OFFICIALS: Chris Kalibbala (Leader of delegation), Sredojevic Milutin ‘Micho’ (Head Coach), Muyinda Crispus (Team Manager), Fred Kajoba (Assistant Coach), Kefa Kisala (Assistant Coach), Kisolo Ronald (Team Doctor) and Kenneth Muwanga (Media officer).

PLAYERS: Ochan Benjamin (SCVU), Watega Ismail (Vipers SC) and Oringa Franco-BUL FC,  (Goal Keepers).

DEFENDERS: Ntambi Julius (KIRA), Wadada Nicholas (VIPERS), Muleme Isaac (SCVU), Walusimbi Godfrey (SC VILLA), Kasagga Richard (KIRA), Kabugo Savio (SCVU), Kizza Ibrahim (KCCA) and Mpuga Martin (SCVU).
MIDFIELDERS: Aucho Khalid (Tusker), Geoffrey Kizito ‘Baba’ (Vietnum), Kyeyune Said (URA), Mpande Joseph (Vipers SC), Majwega Brian (KCCA) and Kayizzi Vincent (Vipers SC).

STRIKERS: Kiiza Hamis (Young SC), Okwi Emmanuel (SC Villa) and Dan Sserunkuuma Gor Mahia)

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has released a list rules and regulations that will govern this year’s edition of the Challenge Cup due to kick off in Nairobi on November 27. CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye says the rules are intended to have a peaceful and orderly tournament.

• All member associations MUST pay an annual subscription fee of U$ 1500 before kickoff.
• Team lists must have only 20 players and cannot be altered.
• Shirt numbers will range between 1 and 20.
• No player shall be allowed to use more than one shirt number during the tournament.
• Teams eliminated in the preliminary stages will be required to leave within the next 24 hours unless there are absolutely no flight connections.
• Pre-match meetings will be held at 10:00am one day before the match.
• Starting line-ups must be confirmed to the CECAFA secretariat at least two hours before kickoff time.
• Teams must be at the stadium at least one hour before kickoff time.
• Each team is allowed a total of 25 people inclusive of players and officials.
• U$ 50 for any appeal complaint lodged.
• Such protests must be submitted to CECAFA at least three hours after the game.

Fines:

• U$ 200 for every team failing to register its players on time.
• U $ 100 for teams failing to honour the pre/post-match interviews.
• U$ 50 for lateness to pre-match meetings.
• U$ 50 will be a fine for teams reporting late to stadium.
• U$ 50 for teams reporting to pre-match meetings without captains.
• U$ 50 for teams reporting for pre match meetings without uniforms.
• U$ 50 for a player who fails to produce a passport.

The Uganda U23 (The Kobs) National team lost their first international friendly match 3-0 to hosts Thailand on November 16 away in Chiangmai about 1100Km out of Bangkok City.

The Kobs Coach George Ssemwogerere has however promised to have a better game when the two sides meet in their second and last international friendly match on Tuesday evening.

Hamid Juma who led the Ugandan 25-man delegation blamed the team’s loss on fatigue saying that they had to cover an estimated 1100km distance from Bangkok to Chiangmai by road on the eve of the match. This took them over eleven hours to reach the venue.

Despite the fatigue, the Kobs tried to push for the results and played to a goalless first half with many chances getting either saved by the goalkeeper or going wild.  Wadri William laid a brilliant cross in the 23^rd minute but Oguti Henry failed to tap it into a goal. Twelve minutes later Ntege Ivan’s hard shot hit the woodworks while Captain Mukisa Yusuf scored a free header from Lukoya Baker’s corner but was disallowed by the Center Referee Chaiya Mahaprab. Thailand scored in the 51^st, 69^th and 88^th minutes. Team Doctor Yahaya Katumba said all players are still in good shape a head of the next tie. The Ugandan delegation in Thailand comprises 17 players and 6 officials.

PLAYERS: NDUGA LAWRENCE, OGUTI HENRY, KWIZERA HAMIDU,NKUUBI BRIAN, KALULE FAHAD, AGANDU FRED, WADIRI WILLIAM, NTEGE IVAN,KYAMBADDE ALLAN,LUKOYA BAKER, MUKISA YUSUF, NAMWANJA SIMON, MAKOBA DENNIS, JUUKO MULSHID, WASSWA HASSAN, LUKWAGO CHARLES and MAGOOLA SALIM,

OFFICIALS: JUMA HAMID, NKONO AMIN, SEMWOGERE GEORGE, MUBIRU ABDALLAH, YAHAYA KATUMBA and NYIIMA JACKSON.

MATCH OFFICIALS: CHAIYA MAHAPRAB- (Referee), THONOM BORIKUT 1^st Asst), AMNARD PONGMANEE (2^nd Asst), SUPREM NONTHAWONG (4th official) and AKEKACHAI THANADDERKWAO was the Match commissioner.

Results: Uganda (0) Vs Rwanda (0)

Uganda and Rwanda have played to a goalless draw in an international friendly match at Mandela National stadium-Namboole this Saturday evening.

Both teams will have their strikers to blame for failing to convert several chances that would have earned them goals. The match officiated by a set of referees from Tanzania had only one yellow card awarded to Amavubi’s Tuyisenga Jacques. Rwanda coach Eric Nsimiyimana had earlier threatened to upset the hosts by taking them into their first home loss in the normal time, a record all visiting nations have failed to break for eight years now.

This was the Cranes’ first game under Airtel as their new sponsors. The two nations will meet again before the end of this month in the CECAFA challenge cup tournament due in Nairobi. Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Eritrea were placed in Group ‘C’ during the draws held at Nairobi Serena Hotel on Friday.

Rwanda starters: Ndayishimiye Luc 1, Bayisenga Emmery 15, Omburenga Fitina 4, Nirisarike Solomon 6, Mugiraneza J. Baptiste 7, Iranzi Jean Claude 12, Niyonzima Harouna 8 (Captain), Mushimiyimana Mohammed 16, Ngirishuti Mwemere 3, Kagere Meddie 5 and Tuyisenge Jacques 11.

Substitutes: Ndoli Jean Claude 18, Twagizimana Fabrice 14, Ngabo albert 2, Mbaraga  Jimmy 9, Nsutiyamagara Ismael 13, Mugabu Hussein 17 and Buteera Andrew 10.

Uganda Cranes starters: Benjamin ochan 18, Wadada Nicholas 14, Walusimbi Godfrey 15, Kabugo Savio 3, Kasagga Richard 22, Agaba Oscar 6, Kisalita Ayub 8, Kayizzi Vincent 2, Majwega Brian 11, Mpande Joseph 10 and Okwi Emmanuel 7.

Substitutes: Watenga Ismael 19, Oringa Francis 1, Nsubuga Daniel 12, Muleme Isaac 20, Kalanda Frank 21, Mugerwa Yasser 16, Muwadda Mawejje 4, Mpuuga Martin 5  and Matsiko Tom 13.

Uganda Vs Rwanda

Result: 0-0 (90 min)

Uganda Cranes team captain Emmanuel Okwi has been substituted by Yasser Mugerwa with only three minutes left to the end of the normal time. On the other side Andrew Butera  comes in for Mushimiyimana Mohammed.

Defender Savio Kabugo had earlier been substituted by Mastiko Tom while the striking line got reinforced with URA striker Frank Kalanda. Substitute Kalanda landed an open chance three minutes after the kick off of the second half but took a weak shot which goalkeeper Ndayishimiye Luc received as a gift.

Fifteen minutes later, Micho substituted Walusimbi Godfrey with Muwadda Mawejje. Muleme Isaac went in for Vincent Kayizzi.

Namboole stadium has today been turned red with the National team sponsors Airtel branding both the interior and the exterior of the stadium.

In the fifth substitution for Uganda Cranes, Dan Nsubuga came in for Brian Majwega.

Uganda Vs Rwanda

Result: 0-0 (69 min)

Uganda Cranes head coach Micho Sredojevic has started off the second round with two major changes.

Defender Savio Kabugo has been substituted by Mastiko Tom while the striking line is reinforced with URA striker Frank Kalanda. Substitute Kalanda landed an open chance three minutes after the kick off of the second half but took a weak shot which goalkeeper Ndayishimiye Luc received as a gift.

Fifteen minutes later, Micho substituted Walusimbi Godfrey with Muwadda Mawejje. Muleme Isaac went in for Vincent Kayizzi.

Namboole stadium has today been turned red with the National team sponsors Airtel branding both the interior and the exterior of the stadium.

The Uganda Cranes sponsors Airtel have painted Namboole red this afternoon as the home National ‘A’ team takes over Amavubi of Rwanda in an International friendly match.

For the first time in a stretch of over 8 years, the Uganda Cranes have also donned the red jerseys against their usual yellow colours. Airtel recently signed a four year sponsorship deal with FUFA that will see the telecom company extending UGX 950m to the federation annually.

The match officially kicked off at 4:00pm Local time and still goalless. The two teams will still face off in Nairobi during this year’s Senior Challenge Cup scheduled to kick off on November 27. Kenya will host Ethiopia in the official opening game.

The sponsors have branded the whole stadium red with music playing inside the stadium.

The first half has ended goalless with Uganda failing to convert any of its five corner kicks. Rwanda had two corner kicks in the first half. Tanzanian referees are in charge of the game.

Amavubi head coach Eric Nsimiyimana has sounded optimistic of writing history by beating the Uganda Cranes in Namboole stadium this afternoon.

“I am aware of Uganda’s unbeaten record of 8 years but my boys are more than determined to write history this afternoon”, said Nsimiyimana shortly after arriving at Namboole.

Rwanda will start without their favourite goal keeper Ndori Jean Claude. The APR FC custodian developed a waist pain according to the team’s goal keeper coach Mugisha Ibrahim. He is however on the list of substitutes.

Rwanda starters: Ndayishimiye Luc 1, Bayisenga Emmery 15, Omburenga Fitina 4, Nirisarike Solomon 6, Mugiraneza J. Baptiste 7, Iranzi Jean Claude 12, Niyonzima Harouna 8 (Captain), Mushimiyimana Mohammed 16, Ngirishuti Mwemere 3, Kagere Meddie 5 and Tuyisenge Jacques 11.

Substitutes: Ndoli Jean Claude 18, Twagizimana Fabrice 14, Ngabo albert 2, Mbaraga  Jimmy 9, Nsutiyamagara Ismael 13, Mugabu Hussein 17 and Buteera Andrew 10.

Uganda Cranes starters:

Benjamin ochan 18, Wadada Nicholas 14, Walusimbi Godfrey 15, Kabugo Savio 3, Kasagga Richard 22, Agaba Oscar 6, Kisalita Ayub 8, Kayizzi Vincent 2, Majwega Brian 11, Mpande Joseph 10 and Okwi Emmanuel 7.

Substitutes: Watenga Ismael 19, Oringa Francis 1, Nsubuga Daniel 12, Muleme Isaac 20, Kalanda Frank 21, Mugerwa Yasser 16, Muwadda Mawejje 4, Mpuuga Martin 5  and Matsiko Tom 13.

Nov 27

Kenya Vs Ethiopia

Kenya, the hosts of this year’s CECAFA Challenge Cup will play Ethiopia in an official opening match of the two weeks tournament in Nairobi on November 27.

CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye confirmed this shortly after the breakfast launch of the event at Nairobi Serena Hotel, Friday afternoon.

The rest of the fixtures will be released later as consultations on the venues were still on going. Nairobi and Machakos County are still the only confirmed venues to host the group stage matches. Machakos County is about 60Kms out of Nairobi City.

In similar developments, the Kenyan government has finally agreed to extend some financial contributions towards the event but challenged the local football federation (FKF) to exercise transparency. The revelation was made by the Minister of Sports Dr. Hassan Wario who represented the government at the same function.

Wario warned that the government would not hesitate taking acation if the Harambee stars fail to lift the championship this year.

Group A: Kenya, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and South Sudan.

Group B: Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and Somalia.

Group C: Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Eritrea.

 The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has this afternoon released the official challenge Cup tournament playing groups with Uganda and Rwanda meeting again as key contenders of Group ‘C’.

Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Eritrea are in the same group where two nations will automatically have to qualify into the quarter finals as others compete for the two overall slots for best losers. Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye released the groups during a breakfast launch of the region’s most lucrative tournament at Nairobi Serena Hotel.

Hosts Kenya will tussle it out against World Cup contenders Ethiopia in an official opening match of the tournament in Nairobi on November 27. Other members of Group ‘A’ are Zanzibar and South Sudan. Neighbours Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and Somalia constitute group ‘B’.

Zambia will be the only guest team in the tournament this year replacing Djibouti who miss out at this year’s edition. CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye urged the Kenyan government to consider extending some financial support towards the tournament and asked the local organizing committee to exercise transparency.

Uganda that plays Rwanda in an international friendly match this Saturday in Namboole stadium will have to face each other again in a stretch of about two weeks in Nairobi.

The Groups are as below:

Group A: Kenya, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and South Sudan.

Group B: Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and Somalia.

Group C: Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Eritrea.

The FIFA delegation currently in Uganda to assess its performance has urged the Federation marketing and TV committee to dedicate enough time towards football activities.

The delegation led by FIFA development officer Ashford Mamelodi has however commended the committee for securing the available sponsors for the National ‘A’ team. Uganda Cranes is currently sponsored by Airtel, a telecom company that recently signed a UGX 3.8bn (About U$ 1.500.000) with FUFA over a period of four years. Other sponsors are Nile Breweries and National Insurance Cooperation (NIC).

FIFA however advised that the committee should consider looking for more potential companies to invest in the grassroot programs. “To achieve all these goals, you need to sacrifice more time towards football and prepare convincing documents to be presented to the targeted individuals or companies”, Mamelodi advised.

The committee was interfacing with the FIFA delegation on Wednesday afternoon at Emin Pasha Hotel in Kampala. Other members of the delegation include Susan Anne (South Africa) and Faye Damil (Senegal). The FUFA marketing and sponsorship committee headed by the FA President Eng. Moses Magogo also has Ronnie Mutebi, Steven Katumba, Johnson Musinguzi and Moses Kibumba.

In his remarks Magogo said he had put in place a vibrant team ready to work for football and promised to get more sponsors on board in the shortest time to come.  “ It was an experience and amazing exchange. As the FUFA Marketing Committee we are more than re-energised with skills and strategies to find more money for the game’  said Eng. Magogo.

The meeting discussed a wide range of strategies to market football in Uganda.

Three Tanzanian Referees have been confirmed to officiate the Saturday International friendly match between the Uganda Cranes and Amavubi Stars of Rwanda.

Charles Mujuni, Hamis Changwalu and Kinduli Mgazally will arrive in the country on Friday afternoon aboard Precision Air PW 762. Brian Nsubuga is the 4^th official while Ali Waiswa is the designated match commissioner.

The Rwanda delegation is expected on Friday morning and will train at Namboole stadium at 1600hrs the same day. They will be accommodated at Mt. Zion Hotel in the City Centre. Gates will be opened at 1100hrs on Saturday and the kick off time confirmed at 1600hrs.

Tickets are already on sale at Shell: Capital and Kibuye, Total: Nakivubo, City Centre, Bwaise and Kireka, Gapco: Ben Kiwanuka, Kobil: Kasubi and Kawempe, Hardware World Ntinda and City Shoppers Super Market in Mukono.

Other selling points include the Airtel outlets at Bugoloobi, Wampeewo, Wandegeya, Kampala Rd and Shoprite in Lugogo. Fans are once again warned against purchasing tickets outside the gazetted selling points.

Having taken all due diligence and contacting all the relevant Football Authorities, FUFA hereby endorses to have the U23 National Team (The Kobs) play an International friendly match against Thailand on 16^th November 2013 as per the earlier arrangement.

The team will hence forth proceed to travel under the arrangement agreed upon and with all terms as specified thereto. We regret any inconveniences that might have been caused, however this was done to ensure total compliance with the Regulations Governing International matches.

This communications supersedes earlier communications done and all concerned parties herein notified that the Uganda U23 national team shall travel to play the match on 16^th November 2013 in Thailand.

The Ugandan delegation to be led by Mr. Hamid Juma leaves this Wednesday evening. FUFA had earlier called off the match before getting authorisation from CAF.

Hope all goes well for the entire period our delegation will stay in Thailand.

Charges:

Pavilion- UGX. 20,000

Open seats- UGX. 10,000

FUFA wishes to inform the public that the tickets for the Uganda – Rwanda match have already gone on market this Tuesday.

Fans are free to walk into any of our 16 designated points and purchase the ticket(s) early enough before the congested peak hours.

The selling points are Shell: Capital, Kibuye, Total: Nakivubo, City Centre, Bwaise, Kireka, Gapco: Ben Kiwanuka, Kobil: Kasubi, Kawempe, Hardware World-Ntinda and City Shoppers Super Market in Mukono.

Others are the Airtel outlets at Bugoloobi, Wampeewo, Wandegeya, Kampala Rd and Shoprite-Lugogo.

Our fans are warned against purchasing a ticket outside the designated points or buying one at a price above or below the stated value as this may expose them to fake products.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has released a list of 18 referees who will travel to Nairobi to handle this year’s Challenge Cup matches.

Two Ugandan referees, Denis Batte and assistant referee Mark Sonko are among the delegation.The duo has just returned from Cairo where they were attending a one week ‘Elite B’ course organised by CAF.

The list released by the CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye has nine (9) referees and nine (9) assistants. All these referees will however be subjected to fitness and medical tests on arrival in Nairobi before the tournament officially kicks off, November 27.

The Referees are:

1. Anthony Okwayo-Kenya
2. Denis Batte-Uganda
3. Wish Yabarow- Somalia
4. Israel Mujuni- Tanzania
5. Louis Hakizimana- Rwanda
6. Thiery Nkurunziza- Burundi
7. Waziri Sheha- Zanzibar
8. Gebremichael Luleseged- Eritrea
9. Kheirala Murtaz – Sudan

Assistant Referees

1. Gilbert Cheruiyot- Kenya
2. Tonny Kidiya- Kenya
3. Mark sonko- Uganda
4. Fedinard Chacha- Tanzania
5. Suleiman Bashir- Somalia
6. Fraser Zakara-South Sudan
7. Simba Honore-Rwanda
8. Hamid Idam- Sudan
9. Kinfe Yimla-Ethiopia

FIFA Development officer Ashford Mamelodi has hailed the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) saying that its transparency and commitment in the executions of its duties was one of the reasons why the international football body continues to consider Uganda for a number of developmental programs.

“FUFA has laid a strong foundation and we are impressed with its performance for a number of years…more developmental programs will continue coming here” said Mamelodi. He was addressing the journalists at FUFA headquarters in Mengo on Monday morning.

A five man FIFA delegation is currently in Kampala to assess the performance of the federation in a number of areas. Other members of the delegation are Faye Damil, Thondoo Gorviden, Patrick Onyango and Susan Ainne.

“We are going to look at your ability to operate correctly, does the federation have a vision, are the right structures in place…” said Mamelodi when asked by the press on the purpose of their visit.

Addressing the same audience, Faye Damil said after this performance program FIFA will continue monitoring the federation performance for about 2-4 years. “We are going to help recommend strategies for you to be put in place and after a while you will look back and appreciate the importance of this program” said Faye.

Receiving the guest in his office Monday morning, the FA President Eng. Moses Magogo commended FIFA for the kind giving hand towards Uganda and promised to keep a keen eye on the implementation process of all the acquired knowledge.