FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Author: Ahmed Marsha

  • Wagaluka, Bagoole, Kiiza in CECAFA action today

    Two Uganda Cranes players Dan Wagaluka and Johnson Bagoole will this afternoon be part of the APR starting squad against Atletico Olympic football club from Burundi in the sixth fixture of the ongoing Cecafa-Kagame club Championship here in Dar es salaam.

    Another Cranes player Habib Kavuma who is recovering from an injury sustained during a league match in Kigali starts on the bench. APR Head Coach Ernest Brand from The Netherlands says, Kavuma was steadily improving and that he would be granted a chance as a substitute if need arises.

    Kavuma did not feature against El-Salam Wau in a match the South Sudanese side was accorded a humiliating 7-0 welcome to Cecafa tournaments. Wau are making a first appearance in this tournament nearly one year after they were affiliated to CAF and CECAFA. Wagaluka and Bagoole played for 90 minutes in the last game and were both instrumental in the team with Wagaluka setting up two goals and Bagoole taking firm control of the defence.

    A draw or a win for APR in this Group ‘C’ match will automatically earn them an early slot in the quarter finals slated for Monday and Tuesday next week. Atletico Olympic is however a tricky side that plays good passes with a sharp striking line that Bagoole will have to consciously contain to let his side maintain a clean sheet from the two games.

    Dan Wagaluka will be instrumental in the Cranes team this afternoon

    In the second game, Hamis Kiiza is also expected to start for Young Africans against El-Salam Wau at 4:00pm. As a striker Kiiza will obviously have to score in this game if his presence on the squad will be of any recognition from the fans who were silenced by a 2-0 loss to Atletico over the weekend.

  • CECAFA: URA humbles Simba with 2-0 win

    Simba 0 URA 2

    AS Vita 7 Ports 0

    Azam 1 Mafunzo 1

    Hamis Kiiza in action against Atletico Olympic FC

    URA’s Feni Ali took advantage of one chance in the 11th minute and headed home a crucial first half goal against Simba SC before netting a second one in the added minutes of the second half to force the Tanzanian champions into a 2-0 loss.

    The two teams were playing their first game in group ‘A’ of the Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship going on here in Dar es salaam City. Simba who played in last year’s finals against Young Africans started off the game with very brilliant runs and well coordinated passes but all their efforts yielded no results throughout the 90 minutes.

    The Uganda Hippos player jumped high just outside the box to head in the first goal that still left the Simba fans roaring hoping to equalize and perhaps win the game later. The roaring of the Lions however, only remained good news for the tax boys as they took control of the second half with good ball possession.

    Cranes defender and Club Captain Simeon Masaba took a well calculated run on the right flank and crossed the ball past the defenders to find a well positioned Feni Ali who headed into an empty net. Simba goalkeeper Juma Kaseja had run to the extreme side of the opposite goal post.

    This was the second loss for the home team after defending champions Young Africans lost on a similar margin to Atletico Olympics FC, a surprise team from Burundi. Like Simba, Young Africans also conceded the second goal in the injury time.

    Simba played with Cranes midfielder Musa Mude but the biggest news was Derrick Walulya, formerly with the day’s opponents who left many local fans here amazed with his performance. The Serbian Coach Milovan Cirlovic said he was surprised with Walulya’s performance. “We played a better side and Walulya had a good game”, he confessed.

    Alex Isabirye on his side looked relieved of the pressure he seemingly carried since arriving in Dar es salaam. “We played well and deserved this win. Our first target was to cool down the game that had started at a high tempo and we succeeded” said the former Cranes player.

    The 2-0 result did not however move the Tanzanian fans who still have chances to qualify from the group stages but was only a good news that the two country’s league giants had both lost the opening matches and on the same goal difference.  URA returns to action on Wednesday against AS Vita Club who routed Djibouti’s Ports FC 7-0 at Chamanzi stadium.

     

  • Angola gets new Coach

    Angola Football Federation (FAF) have named Uruguayan Gustavo Ferrin as their new head coach of the Palancas Negras.

    The 53-year old agreed a two-year contract with the Angola Football leadership to steer the affairs of the senior national team. Inside sources allege that FAF launched the campaign for the new coach after Uganda forced them to a 1-all draw in the world Cup qualifiers match early this year. Emmanuel Okwi scored Uganda’s goal in the dying minutes of the game.

    Romeu Filemon was acting Coach and was in charge of two matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Uganda. Romeu Filemon took over from Lito Vidigal who parted ways with FAF following a dismal performance by the Palancas Negras at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

    Angola will be travelling to Kampala early next year for the return leg with a new tactician. The Uruguayan has been granted a short contract to test his performance in the remaining matches of the qualifying rounds of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

     

    Gustavo will take over the team for the first time in an international friendly against Mozambique on August 15. He has previously worked in his native Uruguay and Peru, handling youth teams.

     

     

  • Cranes, South Sudan draw in Juba

    Julius Ogwang (in red) scored one of the Cranes goals away in Juba on Tuesday

    Uganda Cranes forced a 2-all draw in juba on Tuesday in an international friendly match played to commemorate the country’s first independence anniversary.

    Kenyan referee Thomas Onyango was in charge of the game watched by a moderate audience. Jubal Mwangawilo and Brasan Mamati were his assistants. Ceaser Okhuti and Julius Ogwang scored for Uganda in the 7th and 39th minute respectively.

    Uganda played without any of its professional players and the senior home based boys. Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson who was in Juba said the intention was mainly to give the home based young players an exposure. Leo Adra headed the technical bench.

    The team returns this Wednesday morning.

  • Cranes set to attack South Sudan today

    Okhuti Ceaser will be key in the squad that plays South Sudan in Juba this Tuesday evening.

    The Cranes National team comprising mainly young home based players will take on South Sudan today evening in the country’s first independence Cup at Juba stadium. Kickoff is 6:00pm local time.

    The match will be handled by a set of referees from Kenya. The Cranes officially hosted at South Sudan Hotel, landed into Juba Monday morning.

    Assistant Coach Abdallah Mubiru said they were set to play the 4-2-3-1 system with Guma Denis, Gigi Abubaker, Ogwang Julius, Kizito Luwaga and Ceaser Okhuti in the midfield. Steven Bengo will play upfront as a lone striker.

    Victoria University’s new recruit, Ali Kimera stands in goal with Wadada Nicholas, Ochaya Joseph, Mukisa Yusuf and Ssali Edward commanding the defence. The 25-man delegation here in Juba was led by Nkono Amin Bbosa.

    It comprises 18 players: Ali Kimera, Iguma Denis, Bengo Steven, Ssali Edward, Okhuti Ceaser, Ochaya Joseph, Abege George, Ogwang Julius, Luwaga Kizito, Bagala Denis, Wadada Nicholas, Wadri William, Namwanja Simon, Turilaba Alex, Omunuk Robert, Gigi Abubaker, Mukisa Yusuf and Magoola Jama Omar.

    The officials are Edgar Watson, Adra Leo, Nkata Paul, Mubiru Abdallah, Kiggundu Steven and Katumba Yahaya.

  • Kisala takes Makumbi’s Bidco FC job

    Reason to smile: Kefa Kisala is the new Bidco FC coach

    Kefa  Kisala 38, has been named new head coach for Bidco FC replacing Richard Makumbi who was relieved of his duties two months ago.

    The former Masaka LC tactician was revealed to a big number of fans and the players yesterday at Walukuba Tobacco Play Ground in Jinja

    “I am a result oriented person who always wants to register success” said a soft spoken Kisala in his acceptance speech to the fans.

    “This is a club any coach would like to work with. Together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead…I call upon my players to prioritize football then other issues come in last. It’s the only way we can achieve success with this club.” added the youthful tactician.

    The Club Chairman, Silver Alias said Kisala had an outstanding reputation with a vast technical knowledge of the game. He also hailed him for being creative and well-organised. Silver said teams coached by Kisala usually play attractive and attacking game.

    “Kefa shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now to see the club maintaining our image.” The chairman added.

    Kefa alongside him was given two members of the coaching staff, his assistant Arthur Kyesimire and Bright Dhaira, as goal keeping coash.

    And Alias hinted that Bidco fc would now look to add to their playing staff in the close season.

    “It is important we now look to develop the potential within the squads, while strengthening the first team in this transfer market in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the club,” he said.

    Bidco finished 13th in the Uganda Super League table last season.

    Story filed by Joseph Mutaka, Sports journalist with Baba fm (87.7) 0701768667, Email: tangosport.uganda@gmail.com

     

  • FUFA speaks out on Afcon draws

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa was in Johannesburg for the Afcon draws and he returns to Kampala today.

    FUFA wishes to officially inform all the stakeholders that the draws for the last round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Finals were on July 5 conducted at Tanz Caf’e – Emperors Palace in Johannesburg in presence of our FA President Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa.

    During the evening exercise, Uganda was paired with Zambia, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions.  To us the exercise was very fair and we welcome our opponents in the ‘battle field’ for this slot to South Africa next year.

    FUFA has respect for Zambia as our continental defending champions but we shall not let them walk on a ‘red carpet’ in this campaign.  We shall treat them as equals since we are familiar to each other. The past results do not make them exceptional.

    Our immediate task as FUFA is to start off the mental and psychological preparations of our players. We shall also ensure that we fly to Kampala all the players as they will be selected by the technical bench.

    We call upon all the stakeholders – the religious leaders, the government, sponsors, the media, the fans and the entire Ugandan population to throw their undivided support towards this campaign. FUFA alone cannot win the race without other partners.

    Finally, it will be great, for Uganda to celebrate 50 years of independence with a qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations. We invite the fans to show up in bigger number when we host Zambia on Saturday October 13 at Namboole stadium.

     

  • Cranes to play South Sudan in Uhuru Cup

    Amin Bbossa will lead Uganda’s delegation to South Sudan

    Uganda Cranes will on Monday July 9th travel to South Sudan to play an international friendly match against the hosts in the country’s first independence cup.

    The match scheduled for Tuesday July 10th will be handled by a set of Kenyan referees. FUFA zone 10 chairperson Amin Bbosa Nkono heads the Ugandan delegation to Juba. The team has already started training at Lugogo.

    The invitation is an opportunity to give the young home based players a chance to test their career. FUFA will also use this game to strengthen the football relationship between the two nations. FUFA CEO Edgar Watson will therefore be part of the travelling 25-man delegation.

     

     

     

     

  • Afcon draws: Bobby says ‘its a mission possible’

    Cranes Manager Bobby Williamson is optimistic that Uganda can advance to the finals if there is team work.

    Zambia is a proven team at this level with a coach who is a champion too. I personally have respect for their FA President, the coach and their players. What they achieved in winning last year’s continental trophy was magnificent and everyone should recognize and respect them for being a footballing Nation.

    For the Cranes however, this is a challenge we will relish. To qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations has always not been easy for us and it’s a long time coming. In my opinion this is a great opportunity. In no way am I being disrespectful to Zambia.

    But for us to qualify this year, we need to beat the best team on this continent. Uganda is capable of ending the long wait and this will require a collective effort so that we pull in one direction. FUFA, the government, the press and the entire population of Uganda should stand united towards this goal.

    Those with differences should put them aside for the sake of our team’s performance. It’s important that we are playing our first leg away in Lusaka. I believe this is to our advantage no matter what happens from the first leg. What we need to keep in perspective is that this ‘race’ won’t be won or lost in Lusaka but instead in Kampala. It can be us this time, believe me!

  • Uganda 9 places up in FIFA rankings

    The Cranes good performance against Angola, Senegal and Congo has paid off

    The Cranes’ recent performance against Congo Brazzaville and Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifiers respectively has earned Uganda a better position in the World FIFA rankings.

    Uganda is now ranked 85th (409 points) in the whole world of footballing nations. To click this position, Uganda climbed 9 places up from the 93rd position of last month. The performance was partly based on the Cranes recent 4-0 humiliating defeat against Congo and the 1-all draw against Senegal among others.

    Just below Uganda is Angola with 407 points followed by Burkina Faso in the 87th position. Uganda remains the giants in the Cecafa region with Sudan coming next in the 105th position and Ethiopia in the 119th place. Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania are ranked 125th, 126th and 127th respectively followed by Burundi who are 136th.

    Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti are the worst performers in the region with less than 50 points. Djibouti in the 196th position has only 24 points, Somalia 43 points and Eritrea 45 points only.

    Meanwhile Spain maintains the lead followed by Germany, Uruguay, England, Portugal, Italy, Argentina, Netherlands, Croatia, Denmark, Brazil, Greece, Russia and France. Bhutan, Montserrat, San Marino and Turks and Caicos Islands are the world’s worst ranked countries with zero points each.

     

  • Ugandan player to miss honeymoon over Cecafa duty

    Alishe (seated extreme left) in a training at the Technical Centre in Njeru. The committed player will miss his honeymoon because of the Cecafa-Kagame tournament in Dar es salaam.

    URA FC’s central midfielder Alishe Asuman Kihogo will on Saturday July 14 exchange wedding vows with his ‘sweet heart’ Halima Rafiki.

    The youthful couple will however have to miss their honeymoon together as the newly wedded husband flies to Dar es salaam City for the Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship just hours after the wedding reception. Mr. and Mrs. Alishe will host their guests for the reception at Mbarara University Inn starting 1:00pm that Saturday.

    URA FC are the official representatives of Uganda in this two weeks tournament partly sponsored by Rwanda President, Gen. Paul Kagame.

    The URA contingent comprising 24 people leaves Entebbe for Tanzania on July 11 and they are placed in group ‘A’ alongside visiting Congolese Champions Vita Club, Ports from Djibouti and hosts Simba SC.

    Speaking to www.fufa.co.ug in Mengo on Tuesday afternoon, Alishe said arrangements had already been made by his club to travel on Sunday July 15 in order to catch up with the club’s first fixture against Simba on Monday.

    The tournament kicks off July 14 with defending champions Yanga SC taking on Atletico FC of Burundi at 4:00pm. Earlier in the day, APR will have played Wau Salaam from South Sudan at 2:00pm.

  • URA drawn against Simba in Cecafa tourney

    Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been invited to take part in the CECAFA-Kagame Club Cup Championship that kicks off in Dar es salaam City on July 14th to 28th this year.

    A total of 11 clubs will contest the two week championship that will be shown live by Supersport in over 48 African countries. In the fixture released by the Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye, Uganda’s representatives URA FC is placed in group ‘C’ alongside Tanzania’s Simba SC, Ports FC from Djibouti and guests Vita FC from DR Congo.

    The other clubs taking part in the championship include defending champions Yanga SC, Azam from Tanzania, Kenya’s Tusker FC, APR from Rwanda, Atletico (Burundi), Mafunzo (Zanzibar) and Wau Salam from South Sudan. According to the well attended draws in Dar es Salaam, defending champions Yanga FC will open the championship against Burundi’s Atletico on Saturday 14th July.

    Speaking shortly after the draws, Musonye said, the long term objective of CECAFAwas to make Kagame Club Cup one of the biggest club football competitions in Africa. “With enough sponsorship next year, we may increase the number to 16 following growing interest from clubs across the continent” he added.

    The CECAFA patron His Excellency President Paul Kagame has already committed USD 60,000 prize money which will be shared among the top three finishers. Vita Club is one of the oldest and popular clubs in DRC expected to colour up the tournament. The Congolese club was among four others that had requested to take part in the event.

    In response to the vision of President Kagame, CECAFA wishes to use the power of football to promote Peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region and in the Horn of Africa.

     

  • Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship kicks off July 14

    Cecafa Secretary General, Mr. Nicholas Musonye

    The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) will stage the 2012 Kagame Club Cup Competition in Tanzania from July 14th-28th.

    Preparations for the championship began in earnest in Dar re salaam on Thursday when CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye met several stakeholders and partners to lay the ground in what is expected to be a thrilling competition.
    On Friday, CECAFA Chairman Leodegar Tenga chaired a joint meeting attended by members of the Council and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) at the Federation Headquarters. The two parties signed a memorandum to stage the event next month.

    Addressing the Press Conference in Dar es salaam, both Tenga and Musonye  thanked the Sponsors of the event and also CECAFA Patron President Paul Kagame for their efforts to improve club football in the region. President Kagame has been the sponsor of this event since 1999.

    The Rwandese President has already committed USD 60,000 (About 150.000.000 UGX) prize money for this year,s competition. Musonye urged other sponsors and partners to come on board and make the 2012 competition a success. Super sport has already partnered with CECAFA to show the matches Live. The matches will be staged at the Dar es salaam National Stadium which hosted both the Club Cup and Challenge Cup last year.

    Several clubs across the continent have shown interest in participating in this year’s event. Among these is Vita Club from Congo. Musonye further revealed that there were several others from COSAFA region that had also showed interest but their fate would be decided after liaising with TFF and the sponsors. He however clarified that this would depend on the resources available.

  • FUFA’s letter of appreciation to USPA

    Cranes Captain Andy Mwesigwa scored the opener against Congo in Namboole. The 4-0 win was key in earning the Cranes the USPA Award for the month of June.

    The Nile Special-USPA Awards for the month of June conducted here in Kampala on Monday saw the Uganda Cranes emerging overall winners with 545 votes.

    The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) was delighted to receive this news that came in just two days to the draws of the final round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in South Africa on Thursday.

    This award will not only boost the team’s performance in our next competitive engagements but it’s also evident that USPA members do follow the Cranes’ activities with keen interest.

    Around this time, the Cranes team needs undivided support if we are to break through the rock of misfortune that has stood in our way for 34 years. Professional journalism will be key in this campaign and your Monday gesture points in this very positive direction.

    Allow me on behalf of FUFA, extend our most sincere appreciations to you Mr. President and to all USPA members for this timely award.

    Finally, I call upon the entire USPA family to remain focused to the same cause.

    WE GO, WE GO, UGANDA CRANES WE GO!

  • FIFA Com-Unity Course postponed

    FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson is in touch with FIFA on Com-Unity course.

    FUFA is hereby informing all stakeholders and more particularly members of the media who had been invited for the above workshop that it has been postponed from the earlier communicated dates of 10th-13th July 2012.

    We regret all the inconveniences caused however the technical program and the presenters will remain in the format planned earlier.

    The CEO, Edgar Watson said the future date will be communicated to all concerned parties on time.

  • USL board of directors invited for FIFA meeting

  • Referee Diana Mukasa for U-17 World Cup

    There is a reason to smile: FIFA assistant referee Diana Mukasa has landed an invitation to FIFA U17 World Cup.

    Ugandan FIFA woman referee Diana Mukasa has landed an invitation to officiate at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    Mukasa is one of the only three referees appointed from the entire African continent. Others from the CAF region are Amegee Aissata 37, from Togo and Aglago Emmanuella 33 from Ghana.

    The list has 14 referees and 28 assistants in total but three of these (one referee and two assistants) are a reserve trio from UEFA.

    An official communication received from FIFA this morning and signed by the Secretary General Jerome Valckle, indicates that the competition matches will run from 22nd September to 13th October. But prior to this, the pre-competition activities will be conducted from September 16 to 21.

    All match officials including Mukasa are expected to arrive in Baku on Sunday 16 September 2012. FIFA has warned that no match official is supposed to be accompanied by any other person during their entire assignment with FIFA.

    FIFA has further directed that all referees and their assistants undergo medical assessments from their respective home countries in accordance with the FIFA Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) Form. If a referee is found to be unfit or injured upon her arrival in Baku, FIFA will send her home at the expense of the concerned member association.

    Mukasa becomes the second Uganda referee after Ali Tomusange to officiate at the World Cup tournaments.

  • FIFA officials coming to Uganda

    This is to inform all football stakeholders and the entire public that a panel of officials delegated by FIFA will be in the country for a meeting with FUFA and the Uganda Super League clubs on Wednesday 27th June 2012 at Golf Course hotel.

    The meetings will generally focus on governance issues of football in Uganda. However, the FIFA-FUFA meeting to be held earlier at 8:30am will also address the FUFA Executive committee proposals for FUFA Constitutional amendments.

    At the same venue, the FIFA panel will henceforth from 11am meet the decision makers of the Uganda Super League clubs with an agenda focused on issues pertaining to top level professional league in compliance with Association Football.

    Invitations for Super League Club top management leaders have been dispatched accordingly.

    There will also be a press conference scheduled for Thursday 28th June 2012 at 9:30am prompt at Golf Course Hotel for media briefing on the situation as per that time. (Please note that the weekly press conference usually held on Wednesdays has therefore been called off this week).

    The FIFA panel coming to Uganda will among other officials include Mr. Primo Corvaro and the FIFA Development Officer Mr. Mamelodi Ashford.