Uganda International Bruno Sserunkuuma scored a third goal for Nairobi City Stars Football Club this Wednesday to beat Tanzania champions, Simba SC 3-1 in a friendly match played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Sserunkuuma’s goal came after teammate Duncan Owiti and Boniface Onyango in the 50th and 68th minute respectively. Sserunkuuma netted in the 81st minute. The game was part of the celebrations to mark the annual Simba day.
Nairobi City Stars shocked the home team by recovering from an eighth minute goal to register an emphatic win. Sserunkuuma is one of the three known Ugandan players featuring in the Kenya Premier League clubs. Nairobi City Stars are placed 13th in the Kenyan League.
Meanwhile India has threatened to drag Kenya to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for allegedly pulling out of the Nehru Cup competition.
Kenya decided to pull out of the tournament in order to prepare for an international friendly against Jamaica on August 25.
But The All India Football Federation (AIFF) are displeased by Kenya’s move to backtrack on their word.
On the other hand however, FKF has maintained that they never confirmed participation but only received an invitation from India.
Cecafa President Eng. Leodgar Tenga (C) chats with FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa (R) and Kenya FA Leader Samuel Nyamweya. Tenga will have an adminstrative role of calming down Nyamweya to respect the sponsor’s decision
Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye has reacted to criticism leveled against the regional body by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Sam Nyamweya accusing the leadership of plotting to change the venue for this year’s Senior Challenge Cup.
Musonye says Cecafa had to abide by the sponsors’ wish to move this year’s tournament to Kampala in Uganda. Cecafa-Tusker senior challenge cup kicks off late November and ends mid December of every year. Tanzania has hosted this lucrative tournament twice since the Tanzanian franchise of East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) started sponsoring the tourney in 2010. The sponsor’s contract expires after this year’s tournament.
Nyamweya accused Cecafa of diverting from the earlier position of having the tournament held in Nairobi. Musonye however laughed off the accusations saying that it was important to take the tournament where sponsors were willing to give out cash instead of relying on ‘empty promises’.
“The sponsors preferred this year’s Challenge Cup to be taken to Kampala and that is what we will abide with. Nyamweya can say whatever he wants but the decision is final and we will not bend low to start throwing words through the press.” Musonye hit back.
Uganda Cranes are the defending champions of Cecafa-Tusker Senior Challenge Cup and will now have an advantage to defend the title they last hosted in 2008.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa in consultation with some of his executive members. On left is Vice President in charge of Administration, Eng. Moses Magogo.
FUFA has organized several sessions between the Executive members and the delegates to brainstorm on the proposed changes within the constitution a head of the General Assembly scheduled for August 25.
The sessions will be conducted this weekend at various centres. Delegates from FUFA zones 8, 12 and 13 will convene at the federation headquarters this Saturday at 9:00am prompt. Vice President in charge of Technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde travels to Masaka on the same day to meet the zone 7 delegates.
Elsewhere, Samuel Mpiima will be in Masindi on Saturday to meet the zone 5 delegates before proceeding to Arua on Sunday. Rogers Byamukanma travels to zone 6 with a meeting scheduled for Mbarara and he winds up the trip with a session in Fortportal (zone 11) the following day.
The Vice President Administration Eng. Moses Magogo will meet the zone 9 and the interest groups delegates at FUFA House on Saturday afternoon (3pm). On Sunday, Magogo drives to Mbale where he will face delegates from zone 2 before connecting to Jinja for another meeting with zone 10 delegates at 3pm.
Commenting about the development, Magogo said the arrangement to meet in smaller units was to enable every delegate get an opportunity to speak out his views.
Tamale Sports Stadium with a capacity of 21,017 spectators will be the venue for the Hippos return leg in Ghana on August 11.
The Continental Football body, CAF has appointed a set of four referees from Benin to be in charge of the return leg of the Africa U20 Championship between Ghana and the Uganda Hippos.
In a related development, the Ghanaian Football Federation has also confirmed that the game will be played on Saturday 11th August 2012. The hosts have however pushed the match out of Accra city to Tamale Sports stadium.
Kiagou Moumouni is the centre referee to be assisted by Kouton G. Narcisse and Dina Babadjide Bienvenu as 1st and 2nd assistants respectively. Tohouegnon Gustave travels as the reserve referee. The match commissioner is Bolaji Ojo-Oba from Nigeria.
Uganda will face either Morocco or Gambia in the ultimate qualifier if they dispatch off Ghana in the second leg match. The Hippos won the first leg 3-1 in Nakivubo stadium a week ago.
Tamale Sports stadium was completed in 2008 by the Chinese construction company and it was one of the venues for the Africa Cup of Nations matches the same year. It also serves as the home stadium for Real Tamale United Football Club.
The Hippos are now playing their trial game against newly promoted Super Division side, Victoria University at Namboole stadium. They will also take on Maroons in their next trial game.
Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza was key in guiding Yanga SC to its second consecutive Cecafa-Kagame club championship in Tanzania last month
Cranes Head Coach Bobby Williamson has this Wednesday August 1st 2012 released a squad of 25 players who will start training next week in preparation for an International friendly match against Malawi in Blantyre City on August 15.
Bobby who is currently on a short holiday in Scotland issued the list through the Federation Vice President in charge of Technical matters Stone Kyambadde. The list has three U20 players getting elevated to the National team ‘A’ after their brilliant performance against Ghana last weekend. The Uganda Hippos beat visiting Ghana 3-1 in the first leg of the Africa U20 youth championship.
The three players making it to the senior side are Nicholas Wadada (Bunamwaya), Joseph Ochaya (KCC) and Geoffrey Kizito who plays his professional football in Vietnam. Bobby returns early next week before the team convenes on Wednesday August 8.
The full squad has Denis Onyango, Hamza Muwonge, Ali Kimera, Massa Simeon, Guma Denis, Mwesigwa Andy, Kalungi Henry, Isinde Isaac, Owino Joseph, Walusimbi Godfrey, Ochaya Joseph, Oloya Moses, Wagaluka Dan, Mawejje Tonny, Kizito Geoffrey and Wasswa Hassan.
Others are Bengo Steven, Matovu Sula, Massa Geoffrey, Umony Brian, Okwi Emmanuel, Ssentongo Robert, Hamis Kiiza, Sserumaga Mike and Nicholas Wadada.
Musa Mudde in action that caused him an injury on Tuesday afternoon. Down is Jabir Aziz of Azam
Cranes midfielder and new signing for the Tanzania mainland Football Champions Simba Sports Club Musa Mudde has been ruled out of action for at least a month!
Mudde sustained an injury in the 81st minute of their Cecafa-Kagame quarter final match against Azam FC on Tuesday. Azam’s defender Jabir Aziz tackled Mudde from the back, leaving his left leg entangled between his two as he landed down in pain. In the process, his left ankle joint rotated in the opposite side causing a major dislocation.
The Ugandan player was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and he now walks on clutches! Simba team Doctor, Cosmos Kapinga says the player will be out of action for a minimum of four weeks. He was also quick to add that’ “the injury was an intended one from his opponent”.
“Jabir Aziz is very bad player who once played for Simba and he has since caused a lot of injuries to our camp”, said a visibly concerned medic. Kapinga said he had already advised his employers to fly Mudde back to Kampala for a rest as he obtains treatment.
On Wednesday evening, Mudde was driven from hospital to Spice Hotel in the centre of Dar es salaam City where was still accommodated by the time of writing this statement. “I feel a lot of pain, I can’t step my foot on the ground and the Doctors say I shall be out of action for some weeks. Let’s wait and see”, said Mudde who spoke with difficulty.
Simba Vice President Godfrey Kabul said the club would meet all the expenses Mudde incurs while on treatment in Kampala. Mudde joined Simba in July this year after refusing to renew his contract with Sofapaka FC in Kenya. His an unexpected injury comes in at a time when the Cranes head Coach Bobby Williamson is about to name his squad ahead of an international friendly match against The Flames of Malawi on August 15.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa has sent condolences to the Ghanaian football leadership over the loss of the country’s head of state.
The Ghanaian U20 National team that was scheduled to arrive in Uganda this Wednesday is now expected in the country on Friday morning.
By the time of issuing this press release, our counterparts in Accra had not yet made a formal communication in connection to the same. FUFA however made an attempt to reach the FA and the information available indicates that the team will arrive at Entebbe International Airport at 01:15 am aboard Ethiopia Airlines, Friday morning.
The details searched from the Ethiopian Airlines further confirm that the team bookings are already made in Accra. FUFA President Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa has sent a condolence message to the Ghanaian FA leadership over the loss of their Head of state, President Evans Atta Mills who died Tuesday afternoon.
“My office and the entire Ugandan football fraternity have learnt with shock the sudden death of your head of State, Mr. John Evans Atta Mills. As a football family in Uganda we join you in mourning a political leader who loved and served the game of football as well” reads Mulindwa’s statement to Accra.
“As an advocate for recreation, an active sportsman and sports fan, the deceased leaves behind a good record in his support towards the Ghanaian National Football team, the Hockey Association, the National Sport Council of Ghana, and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club among other areas”. The FA leader further mourned.
In a separate interview with www.fufa.co.ug, Mulindwa added that plans would be presented to the match commissioner during the technical meeting to have the game played with mourning arm bands on Saturday. Uganda hosts Ghana in the CAF U20 Championship this Saturday at Nakivubo War Memorial stadium at 4:00pm. The referees from Ethiopia are expected in Kampala Thursday evening.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has organized an international friendly match for the Uganda Cranes against The Flames of Malawi.
The match fixed on the gazetted International FIFA day of August 15 will be played in Blantyre City. The game is intended to prepare the Cranes for their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash against Zambia due in Lusaka early September.
FUFA Chief Executive officer, Edgar Watson said this Wednesday morning that the Head coach Bobby Williamson and the technical committee were soon sitting to name the squad before the federation makes official communications to their respective clubs.
Atletico Vs Vita Club (2:00pm), Azam Vs Simba (4:00pm)
Yanga players including Hamis Kiiza (3rd from left) celebrating their victory against Mafunzo on Monday.
Defending Champions Yanga SC from Tanzania mainland played a 1-all draw game against Mafunzo of Zanzibar in the second quarter final of the Cecafa-Kagame club championship but later qualified for the semi finals after a 5-3 spot kick result.
Yanga trailed 1-0 in the first half before new signing Said Bahanuz scored an equalizer in the early minutes of the second half to level with AS Vita’s striker Taddy Eddiema at five goals each. Mafunzo’s goal was scored by Ali Othman Mmanga in the 34th minute.
In the first quarter final, Uganda’s representatives URA FC were edged 2-1, a result that denied them a slot in the semi finals. The Rwandese army side took an early lead in the 9th minute when Iranzi Jean Claude had a perfect finishing on a cross from team Captain Olivier Karekezi. Suleiman Ndikumana stretched the first half lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute.
URA’s head coach Alex Isabirye said his boys seemingly accorded a respect to the opponents and ‘woke up’ late to fight for the win. Their efforts however yielded results in the 57th minute when Robert Ssentongo pulled back one goal but his would be equalizer hit the post in the 3rd minute of the added time.
The Rwandese Dutch tactician, Ernest Brandy was all smiles after the game saying that his chances to play in the finals were now brighter after exiting a team that looked to be the title favourites of the tournament. URA was the only club that collected maximum points from their group stage matches after beating hosts Simba 2-0, AS Vita club 3-1 and Ports 3-1 to top group ‘A’.
This Tuesday, visiting Vita Club takes on the tricky Atletico from Burundi at 2:00pm before homeboys Simba SC play Azam in a derby of the last quarter finals. Simba and Azam last met about a week ago when they clashed in the ‘Rafiki’ cup with Simba taking the day on sport kicks after fighting to a 1-all draw in the normal time.
Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye said that if Simba joins Yanga to have two home teams in the semis, the semi final matches will be played on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. In case of a draw in the normal time, extra time will be added before the sport kicks.
URA’s Robert Ssentongo battle for the ball with fellow Ugandan Johnson Bagoole of APR in the quarter finals the Rwandese army side won 2-1
Uganda’s representatives in this year’s Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship, URA Football club bowed out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to APR of Rwanda in the first quarter finals played on Monday afternoon at Dar es Salaam National stadium.
URA trailed 2-0 in the first half but pulled one back through Robert Ssentongo in the 57th minute. The team played a better game in the second half but it was too late for them to narrow the gap earlier created. Ssentongo nearly equalized for his side in the 77th minute when his left shot hit a goal post. In the 3rd minute of the added time, the same striker made another attempt but his efforts were frustrated by the Rwandese goalkeeper Ndoli Jean Claude when he punched the ball back into play.
Off the field, it however looked like URA had lost the game from the dressing room when the team’s line-up got alternated just minutes to kick off. “The players were diverted from the original focus when we chose to make last minute changes on the day’s line up” one concerned club official commented.
Initially, Owen Kasule who is still recovering from an injury was to start on bench with Osman Wejuli Farouk on the starting line-up. An hour before kickoff, an official list was submitted to Super Sport for preparations of the necessary graphics but as the referees inspected the teams, a change was effected with Kasule being inserted into the starting squad. The player looked unfit yet for this crucial game.
Club chairman, Ssekatawa was in Dar es Salaam to watch his first game but his presence too, did not carry any luck!
The team is expected to leave for home by road on Wednesday morning. Arrangements are however being made by the Ugandan FA to fly the two Hippos players, Samuel Ssenkoomi and Ssekisambu Elisa to Entebbe Tuesday morning to join the rest of the players in camp ahead of the clash against Ghana on Saturday.
It was bad luck for URA but for sure, the team had a good start of the campaign with three consecutive wins against Simba, Vita club and Ports FC. Even with a 2-1 loss to APR, the tax boys went down fighting!
Robert Ssentongo will lead URA’s attacking line against APR
Uganda Revenue Authority this afternoon goes into a football field battle against neighbours APR FC from Rwanda in the first quarter finals of the Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship going on here in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
URA Line-up:Mugabi Yasin, Massa Simeon, Munaaba Allan, Walulya Derrick, Ssenkoomi Sam, Wejuli Osman, Feni Ali, Nsumba Augustine, Agaba Oscar, Ssentongo Robert and Bagala Sula.
Substitutes: Allan Owiny, Ssekisambu Elisa, Mubiru Sam, Kasule Owen, Nkugwa Elkana and said Kyeyune.
The Ugandan bench will however have six substitutes, less one player following the malaria attack on Musa Docca and Lutimba Yayo’s persisting injury. Coach Alex Isabirye had yesterday sounded optimistic of having a full board today but the two players’ health situation worsened last night. The other player is Brian Bwette who is a third goal keeper.
The match will be officiated by a Tanzanian Referee, Israel Mujuni assisted by his fellow countryman Jesse Erasmo and Elias Wamalwa from Kenya. Cranes midfielder Dan Wagaluka and Habib Kavuma will start from the bench on APR side. Johnson Bagoole commands the Rwandese defence.
In the next quarter final, Mafunzo from Zanzibar plays degfending Champions Yanga Africans at 4:00pm.
URA’s Bagala Sula celebrating his goal against AS Vita club from DR Congo on Friday. He will be looking to scoring more goals on Monday.
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) takes on APR of Rwanda in the first quarter finals of the Cecafa-Kagame Cup on Monday afternoon in a game the Ugandan URA coach Alex Isabirye has described as a ‘tricky but possible mission’.
Isabirye has also sounded optimistic that all his players who had earlier picked injuries were steadily improving ahead of this knockout encounter. “We respect APR, they have good experienced white coaches and therefore this game is going to be very tricky but it remains a possible mission if the team keeps focused and plays as a unit”, said a soft spoken young tactician. Isabirye is regarded a God’s man in this tournament as he carries the rosary in his hands most of the time including when he is on the technical bench.
URA is the only team this year that collected maximum points from all their group stage matches. They launched their campaign against Tanzania mainland champions Simba SC with a shocking 2-0 win before upsetting visiting DR Congo masters, AS Vita with a 3-1 result. They also beat Ports of Djibouti on the same margin to earn themselves 9 points and topped group ‘A’.
The CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye told a press conference at Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) headquarters Sunday morning that there will be no extra time for quarter finalists in case of a draw in the normal time. “We shall go into extra time only for the semi finals and the finals” Musonye explained.
He further revealed that Yusufu Makame Juma of Mafunzo FC was the only suspended player after accumulating two yellow cards. He will miss the next game against Simba. URA’s Derrick Walulya returns to action after serving his punishmen
Today: Tusker Vs Azam (2pm), Simba Vs Vita Club (4pm)
URA’s Elkana Nkugwa in action against three opponents during their last group stage fixture against Ports FC on Friday.URA’s Elkana Nkugwa in action against Djibouti’s Ports FC during their last group stage match on Friday. URA won 3-1
URA would up their group stage matches of the Cecafa-Kagame club championship on Friday afternoon with a 3-1 unconvincing win over Djibouti’s Ports FC.
The Ugandan club is now lined up to play APR, an army side from Rwanda in the quarter finals on Monday. APR finished third in group ‘C’ after a 2-0 loss to homeboys, Young Africans Sports club.
URA’s performance against Ports was however wanting and a doubled effort will be required if they are to overcome their quarter final opponents to storm the semis.
Coach Alex Isabirye sounded optimistic after the game that some of his injured players would be fit for next week’s assignment against APR. It’s not however decided yet whether URA plays at 2pm or 4pm.
The organizing committee will communicate an official position to all quarter finalists in a general meeting on Sunday.
Robert Ssentongo is expected to increase his goal tally this afternoon against Ports FC
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Football club returns to action this Friday afternoon in a group ‘A’ match that has no bearings on their qualification into the knockout stages.
URA qualified for next week’s quarter finals when they collected maximum points from their first two games. They launched their first campaign against hosts Simba SC with a 2-0 victory before upsetting the then tournament favourites AS Vita with a 3-1 win. They now play Ports FC from Djibouti who have not won a single match after losing 7-0 to AS Vita and 3-0 to Simba SC.
The 2010/2011 Ugandan League champions will however play without four of their key starters. Derrick Walulya is on suspension after accumulating two yellow cards while Owen Kasule and Oscar Agaba are also ruled out due to injuries. Yayo Lutimba who missed the team’s engagement against AS Vita is also still nursing the old injury.
On the other hand, Allan Munaaba if maintained on today’s squad must play this game consciously after picking up a yellow card against Simba. If a second card in swung before him, then he misses the quarterfinal game.
The current trend points at URA playing Young Africans SC another home team in the quarter finals if the hosts fail to win today’s last group stage match against APR. If they beat the Rwandese army side, then URA will automatically play APR in the quarters on Tuesday at 4pm. These calculations are based on a fact that URA beats Ports today.
URA beat AS Vita club from DR Congo 3-1 on Wednesday during the CECAFA-Kagame club championship going on in Dar es salaam.
URA and Vita Club played to a goalless first half in their second match of group ‘A’ fixture as the tax boys critically kept studying their opponents who later lost the game 3-1 in the second half.
Vita, a guest club from the Democratic Republic of Congo led URA in the 60th minute through Mutumbo Kazadi before Uganda’s official representatives in this Cecafa-Kagame Club championship responded six minutes later through Bagala Sula.
New signing from Express FC, Elias Ssekisambu who played the first competitive game for his new club stretched the margin to 2-1 in the 79th minute. Uganda Super League top scorer Robert Ssentongo wound up the day with a brilliant score just one minute to the end of the 90 minutes.
Speaking after the game, Coach Alex Isabirye hailed his players for the commitment they had on pitch. “We played an experienced team but the boys looked more determined and committed on the pitch” said the youthful tactician. “Our biggest challenge is maintaining this performance especially after beating two of the tournament’s big teams. I pray that God continues according us his guidance”, he added.
Today, El-Salam Wau honours their last engagement against Atletico in what is expected to be a one-sided match at 2:00pm. Kenya’s representatives, Tusker FC will also be playing their first game since arrival in Dar es salaam last Saturday. They play Mafunzo from Zanzibar.
Uganda Revenue Authority will this afternoon have a chance to test the qualities of one of Africa’s oldest clubs, Association Sportive Vita Club (AS Vita Club) from DR Congo in their second Cecafa-Kagame group stage match to be played at 2:00pm.
The tax boys may however play without Yayo Lutimba who sustained an injury during a training session yesterday. Earlier on coach Alex Isabirye had pointed out a likely decision of starting Augustine Nsumba ahead of Said Kyeyune, a decision he could change due to Yayo’s absence.
AS Vita, founded in 1935 have played in the continental cups many times and were winners of the continental Club Cup Championship in 1973. They have won the domestic Linafoot tournament a dozen times and have five titles of the Kinshasa Provincial League in store.
Records indicate that the same club has played 8 times in the Africa Club Championship winning the title once, semi finalists in 1978, finalists in 1998 and dropping out in the second round in 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1989. Of the six times AS Vita have played in the Caf Cup winners Cup, they have emerged quarter finalists four times in 1979,1982,1983 and 2002 while in 1976 they were knocked out at semi finals.
URA team captain and Cranes defender Simeon Masaba is however not moved by their opponent’s CV. “We have never played them but we shall offer our best on the pitch. We are going for a win” he said. Guests Vita opened the title campaign against Ports FC with a 7-0 victory as URA out smarted hosts Simba SC edging them 2-0.
Uganda International, Hamis Kiiza answered the fans’ outcry Tuesday afternoon when he scored a hat trick and set up two other goals in his pivotal performance against new entrants El-Salam Wau FC from South Sudan. The match ended 7-1 to push Salam out of title contention.
The head Coach for the Young Africans Tom Saintfiet however said he was not excited with the team’s performance because he had come for a bigger win of at least ten goals. Kiiza’s teammate, Said Bahanuz opened up the scoring spree in the 12th minute before he added a second one in the 18th minute.
Hamis Kiiza in action against El-Salam Wau from South Sudan. He scored a hat trick.
Kiiza who had earlier missed an obvious chance with a keeper to beat in the 10th minute netted the club’s third goal just a minute after Bahanuz had stretched the lead to two. He also scored in the 30th and 69th minute of the game. Other scorers were Khaliphan Nizar and Stephano Mwasika who scored the fourth goal that the technical committee will still have to review by the help of the Super Sport recordings in order to establish whether it was his or Kiiza’s fourth score.
Speaking to www.fufa.co.ug after the game, Kiiza said, ‘I am happy that I have answered the fans call with four goals in one match’. He added, “This win was crucial because it puts us back into the title race. The results against APR will only have a bearing on positioning and not qualifications into the quarters”.
Coach Tom Saintfiet hailed his opponents saying that they played a good game despite being inexperienced. He however added that there was no reason for his club to celebrate yet because the performance was still wanting. “I like perfection. We made many mistakes which we have to work on before we play APR”, said the Belgian tactician.
Saintfiet was also quick to confess that their next fixture against APR was a more difficult task ahead of them. In a surprise statement, the Belgian coach further said he had from the inception of the tournament planned to finish second in Group ‘C’ in order to avoid playing arch-rival Simba SC or Uganda Revenue Authority in the quarter finals.
“Finishing first or third in group ‘C’ would mean playing Simba or URA who are likely to finish first or second in group ‘A”, he told journalists during a post match press conference.
Earlier on APR and Atletico had settled for a goalless draw in a match that saw Cranes players Dan Wagaluka and Johnson Bagoole featuring for 90 minutes. Habib Kavuma was on the bench.
