The Uganda national beach Soccer team-Sand Cranes left for Tanzania with heads up.
They are eager to return home with positive results.
The team was officially flagged off by the FUFA Executive Committee member and also chairman FUTSAL and Beach Soccer Committee, Samuel Mpiima at FUFA House in Kampala.
Mr. Samuel Mpiima greets each of the Sand Cranes players who traveled with the team moments after he flagged off the team
Mpiima wished the contingent a safe journey to and from.
‘I wish you a good journey to and from Dar es salaam. Let us prove that we are the strongest team in the region. Beach Soccer is growing and Uganda Sand Cranes will be able to compete in many more international tournaments and the CAF qualifiers. We thank the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo for giving us another opportunity to play across the boarders. We take international friendly matches seriously’ Mpiima stated.
Beach Soccer Delegate Anthony Tumwesigye waves good bye as he gets to the team bus. Behind him is defender Geofrey Akabwai
Beach Soccer Delegate to the FUFA Assembly- Anthony Tumwesigye is the Leader of Delegation.
Th Sand Cranes under the administration of the current FUFA President have already played against team like Zanzibar, Ghana and Kenya. It will be the first time that the Sand Cranes are facing Tanzania.
However National team representation in beach soccer started under the reign of Eng. Moses Magogo as the head of football in Uganda.
Uganda also has three beach soccer referees Ivan Kintu Bayige, Shafic Mugerwa and Senteza Muhammad. Kintu Bayige who was voted the best referee at the FUFA Awards last Friday at Munyonyo, will be heading to officiate at the Africa Beach Soccer Championship in Nigeria mid this month.
The Uganda Sand Cranes players
The Squad
Goalkeepers
Kibirige Meddie (Nkumba Select)
Kalule Micheal (St. Lawrence)
Defenders
Davis Kasujja (MUBS)
Katwe Allan (YMCA)
Akabway Geoffrey (KIU)
Midfielders
Ochero Sulaiman (St Lawrence)
Kalyowa Emmanuel (St Lawrence)
Naturinda Ambrose (YMCA)
Strikers
Kakwaya Swaibu (Dalumba)
Somoka Roch (Nkumba Select)
Coach:Salim Muwonge
Assistant Coach: Bashir Mutyaba
Team Doctor: Jona Kukiriza
FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Shafiq Mugerwa and Muhammed Ssenteza
CAF Beach Soccer Instructor: Ali Mwebe
UBSA Chairman: Deo Mutabazi
Leader of Delegation: Anthony Tumwesigye
MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Sand Cranes players recieve the national flag from FUFA Executive Committee member and chairman of the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, Samuel Mpiima
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Centre of Excellence in Cameroon hosted a refresher coaching course from 25th-28th November. The CAF Centre of Excellence is situated in Mbankomo in the outskirts of Yaoundé , capital of Cameroon.
Trainees attended the refresher course organized by CAF with instructors from different countries of the continent. Uganda was represented by FUFA Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson who is a member of the CAF Technical Study group while Asumani Lubowa is the FUFA Technical Director.
FUFA CEO Edgar Watson (L) and Asumani Lubowa (R) in Cameroon
MAIN PHOTO: Watson and Lubowa with other participants
Uganda Cranes succesfully completed phase one of their AFCON preparations on Tuesday.
The national side managed a 2 all draw in a practice match played at Nakivubo War II Memorial Stadium.
Yunus Sentamu opened the scoring for theUganda Cranes in the first half of the game and later second half substitute Muzamiru Mutyaba doubled the lead before Pius Wanji converting a penalty for Vipers first goal and Bashir Mutanda eqaulising late for Vipers.
This has been Uganda Cranes third practice match since Wednesday 23rd November 2016 when the team tactician Sredejovic ‘Micho’ Milutin unveiled the detailed preparation programme before AFCON 2017.
Action between Vipers and Uganda Cranes at Nakivubo Stadium
The first game was against Saints which ended 3-1 in favour of the Uganda Cranes and 1-1 against Bright Stars.
After the Vipers match, the coach said that the technical team has achieved its intention in the first phase of analyzing players.
“We have analysed the players in these days of the training especially basing on the three practices matches against the Saints, Bright Stars and Vipers” noted Micho.
A list of 41 players is to be released on Wednesday late evening to undergo CAF medical check up and start another phase AFCON preparations.
Uganda Cranes 1st half team:
Ismail Watenga (GK), Nicholas Wadada,Shafic Batanbuze, Rashid Toha, Richard Kasagga, Hassan Wasswa, Paul Mucureezi, Tonny Mawejje, Sadam Juma, Yunus Sentamu and Geoffrey Serunkuma.
2nd half team:
Benjamin Ochan (GK), Denis Okot ,Joseph Ochaya , Timothy Awanyi, Richard Kasagga, Denis Iguma , ,Tonny Mawejje,Muzamiru Mutyaba, Yunus Sentamu, Edrisa Lubega and Derrick Nsibambi
The FUFA Education department in conjunction with TangoSport Uganda Limited has organized yet another course, Football Administration and Management (FAMACO).
The course is slated for December 9-11 at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru.
Each of the participants is expected to register with Ugx.150,000 for this residential course.
According to the Tangosport Uganda Limited Communications Manager Hambali Majojo, registration is currently on-going;
Registration is being made on Airtel money 0702 846238 or on the Tangosport account number: 4310300267
FUFA has this year alone held a number of educational courses in refereeing, management and coaching, all intended to train experts in the daily running of the game in the country to ensure professionalism.
In association football, the referee is the person responsible for enforcing the FIFA Laws of the Game during the course of a match. Uganda has 22 FIFA Referees and over 100 National referees while others are at regional level.
This Friday 2nd December, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Airtel FUFA Awards will have a new referee of the year. Last year the award was won by Mark Ssonko.
This year the list has a new kid on the block Ivan Kintu Bayige who will also represent Uganda at the 2nd edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2016 in Nigeria running from 13th-18th December.
Three FIFA referees have been nominated for the 2016 Airtel FUFA Awards. these are;
Brian Nsubuga Miiro -FIFA Referee
Mark Sonko- FIFA Assistant Referee
Ivan Kintu Bayige- FIFA Beach Soccer Referee (Main Photo of this story on the website)
Brian Miiro-FIFA RefereeMark Ssonko -FIFA Assistant referee
Voting Mechanics to determine winners in selected categories
Category 1; Airtel-FUFA Male Player of the Year:
The Short list is a summary as per nomination time of opinion of all the coaches of the 16 clubs playing in the Azam Uganda Premier League cast their votes in favour of players who they deemed excellent in 2016.
The player who was listed number 1 earned 3 points, number 2 earned 2 points and that listed number 3 earned 1 point. Five (5) players with the most votes were short listed and were announced at the launch of the FUFA Awards on 14th November 2016 Serena Hotel, Achwa Hall. The grand prize for the Male Player of the year is a an Alteza car.
Nominees for Airtel Male Player of the year 2016;
Denis Onyango Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Uganda Cranes
Denis Onyango has been the mainstay between the posts for his club Mamelodi Sundowns in the South Africa Premier League and Uganda Cranes in 2016.
He made the shortlist after his excellent show during the 2017 AFCON qualification that helped Uganda Cranes return to the table of men on the African continent. He also won the ABSA Premiership title with his club and became the first Ugandan to win the CAF Champions League.
Faruku Miya – Standard Liege (Belgium), Uganda Cranes
He is the reigning Airtel FUFA Male player of the year. Miya captained Uganda Cranes at the CHAN Finals in Rwanda where netted one goal before leaving Vipers SC for Standard Liege in Belgium.
Many football fans will always remember Faruku Miya for scoring a memorable goal against Comoros at Nambole stadium when Uganda Cranes secured a 1-0 win to qualify for the AFCON finals for the first time in 38 years. Since breaking into the Cranes team, the 20 year old has been enjoying starting berths under head coach Milutin Sredojevic.
Joseph Ochaya KCCA FC, Uganda Cranes
One of Uganda’s most exciting left fullbacks to watch in action both at club and national team level.
Ochaya is already a winner of the most prized asset-a Subaru Forester-staked by the organisers of the Azam Uganda Premier League awards.
Can lady luck fall on him again?
His stats for 2016 will surely give both Onyango and Miya moments of scare for this top award. He scored 7 league goals last season, 3 in the Uganda cup and 4 in the current Azam Uganda Premier League season.
Muhammad Shaban- Onduparaka FC, Uganda Cranes
The lanky striker guided his club to automatic qualification to the Azam Uganda Premier League with 13 goals. He also finished top scorer of the Uganda cup with 7 goals when his club fell to Vipers on the Final at Nakivubo stadium. He has scored 6 goals already this season in the league. 2016 will always be a historic year or Shaban as he made his international debut for Cranes against Zambia at Namboole stadium and was an unused substitute when Cranes beat Congo Brazzaville 1-0.
Erisa Sekisambu – Vipers SC, Uganda Cranes
The stylish striker netted seven goals including a beauty in the Uganda cup final against Onduparaka.
He was one of the shining stars at the 2016 CHAN Finals in Rwanda as he netted in the 2-2 draw with Mali.
Ssekisambu who has already scored 4 goals this season, hit the back of the net in the league 16 times last season.
Category 2: FUFA Female player of the year:
The Short list is a summary of opinion of 5 Experts of the Women Football players who cast their votes in favour of players who they deemed excellent in the 2015/2016 FUFA Women Elite League season. The voting Experts include;
Majida Nantanda Head Coach of the Senior Women National Team
Paul Ssali Pioneer of Women Football in Uganda
Agnes Mugena Chairperson FUFA Women Committee
Hadijah Namuyanja FUFA Women Football Officer
Ayub Khalifah FUFA Delegate from Women Football and Coach Kawempe Muslim SS
The player who was listed number 1 earned 4 points, number 2 earned 3 points and that listed number 3 earned 2 point2 ans at number 4 earned 1 point. Four (4) players with the most votes were short listed and were announced at the launch of the FUFA Awards on 14th November 2016 at Serena Hotel. The grand prize for the Female Player of the year is a car.
Ruth Aturo Kawempe Muslim SSS FC, and Crested Cranes
Aturo was the number one choice between the posts for Crested Cranes during the CECAFA Women championship at the FUFA Technical Centre.
She kept two clean sheets during the tournament in 4 matches but was also very instrumental when she kept 8 clean sheets during the FUFA Women Elite League in 16 matches as Kawempe defended the league last season.
In the FUFA Independence cup, Aturo kept clean sheets in all the three games Kawempe played in the tournament that they won. She kept 13 clean sheets in 23 matches.
Hasifah Nassuuna Kawempe Muslim SSS FC, and Crested Cranes
Nasuuna was voted the MVP of the 2015/2016 FUFA Women Elite League (FWEL) for the second year running.
Nassuna created a deadly combination with Sandra Nabweteme for their 41 goals tally in the regular season of the FWEL. She scored 18 in the regular season and one in the play offs (19 in the FWEL 2015/2016 season) and made 16 assists to guide Kawempe to league glory.
Nassuuna also won the National Post Primary Schools Girls football title with Kawempe in Masindi scoring 13 goals in 9 matches. However in the qualifiers of the National Post Primary Schools Girls football she scored 15 goals in 7 matches.
She also scored 8 goals in 6 games in the Buganda Schools girls’ title. She netted 2 goals as Kawempe lifted the FUFA Women Independence cup. She netted 6 goals in 5 games for Crested Cranes during CECAFA Women in Jinja. She was also on target 3 times in the Mama Becca Cup.
Nassuna who has already score two goals in the league this season (FWEL 2016/2017) also netted three times for Kawempe in the UMEA cup in Masaka.
In total, the period captured for the awards in this category, Nassuuna scored 71 goals.
Christine Nambirigge – She Corporate, and Crested Cranes
Popularly known as ‘Tina’ among the football fraternity, Nambirigge is a natural defender but she is sometimes deployed as a striker by her coaches. She plays for She Corporates who finished runners up in the FWEL 2015/2016 season. She netted 4 goals and made 11 assists in the FWEL 2015/2016 season..
Her club She Corporates won the FUFA Women Day Mama Becca Cup 2016 where she scored 3 goals.
In the CECAFA women Championship, Tina who plays Beach soccer with She Corporates, scored two goals.
Sandra Nabweteme –South West Oklahoma State University, Crested Cranes
She is the current holder of the FUFA Female player of the year. She currently plays in the US when she helped her club SWOSU to the playoffs. She picked up two awards for best new comer and scored 22 goals with 9 assists in the Greater American Conference.
She netted 23 goals in the 2015/2016 FUFA Women League and 2 in the 2016 FUFA Women Day Mama Becca Cup. She was captain when Kawempe Muslim Secondary School won their second successive league title.
The key mechanism of voting is to Type FUFA -Space- Code – and send to – 8888.
Male player of the Year 2016-Nominees:
Faruku Miya – 10
Denis Onyango – 20
Joseph Ochaya – 30
Muhammed Shaban – 40
Erisa Ssekisambu – 50
Female player of the year 2016-Nominees:
Sandra Nabweteeme -60
Hasifa Nassuna – 70
Christine Nambirigge – 80
Ruth Aturo – 90
For the category of ‘Fans Ugandan Favourite player of the year’
Type….
Fansug – clubname, name of the player, then send to 8888
For the catergory of Fans’ favourite player in leagues outside Uganda.
Type…..
FANS – Clubname – name of player – then send to – 8888
The 2016 FUFA Awards will head back to the venue that left our guests yearning for more on the night when we crowned the best football stars of 2015.
The FUFA Awards organizing Committee would like to announce that Speke Resort Munyonyo is the venue that will host the 2016 FUFA Awards night on 2nd December 2016.
There are 11 categories for the 2016 FUFA Awards with the best female and male footballers on the night walking away with a Grand prize of a car each.
The FUFA Women Elite Clubs will each pay Ug.shs 100,000, regional league clubs shall pay Ug.shs 70,000 and non league clubs (teams) shall register with Ug.shs 150,000.
The FUFA Women Cup is scheduled to kick off on 21st January 2017 with the final slated for the 27th May 2017.
Uganda Cranes’ head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic has released the detailed programme for the national team ahead of the AFCON 2017 finals in Gabon.
The detailed programme includes residential and non training, training camps and international friendly matches.
Flanked by the assistant coach Moses Basena, Ahmed Hussein (FUFA communications manager) and the deputy FUFA CEO, Humphrey Mandu, Micho boldly underlined utmost committment to the national team.
I have a life contract with Uganda. I am fully committed to my job as the Uganda Cranes head coach.
The programme to prepare the team for the AFCON finals in Gabon is comprehensive as we humbly appeal to the Government to come in with the timely financial support as promised by His Excellency the President of Uganda.
Coach Micho and his assistant Moses Basena during the press conference at Mengo on Wednesday
The coach appealed to the media to support the cause as the training starts with non-residential drills.
Meanwhile, 25 players start training on Wednesday evening at Nelson Mandela National Stadium.
Full Training Programme:
23rd – 25th November 2016 – Non-residential training for 25 players
26th November 2016 – Break for KCCA Vs Tusker International club friendly match
17th – 30th November 2016 – Training sessions
30th November 2016 – Provisional list of Uganda Cranes players for AFCON 2017
15th – 16th December 2016 – Non Residential training sessions
17th – 18th December 2016 – Total rest for the players
19th – 24th December 2016 – Residential training session
25th December 2016 – Christmas day (Rest)
26th December 2016 – Training resumes till 30th December 2016 in Kampala
29th December 2016 – Option for international friendly match
30th December 2016 – Team departure for Tunisia training camp
1st January 2017 – International friendly match against Libya
4th January 2017 – Uganda Cranes will play Tunisia
5th January 2017 – Traveling to Dubai camp (Al Wasl)
5th – 13th January 2017 – Dubai training camp with options of two international friendly matches between 8th and 11th November 2016
13th January 2017 – End of camp
14th January 2017 – Polishing aspect and traveling to Gabon
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) in conjunction with Ecobank have officially launched a special fundraising drive for the national team, Uganda Cranes.
Under the fundraising drive, 50 Uganda Cranes lucky fans will be transported to Gabon for an all-expenses paid for trip to watch the 2017 AFCON Finals. Uganda Cranes will be at the AFCON Finals for the first time in 39 years.
The launch took place at Nile Hall, Serena Hotel Kampala where the Ecobank Managing Director Clement Dodoo, Executive Director Annette Kihuguru were joined by the other staff from the bank.
L-R Ecobank Executive Director Anette Kihuguru, MD Clemente Dodoo, FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, VP Denis Mbidde, Hassan Wasswa (Uganda Cranes) player at the ceremony held in Serena.
The FUFA team was well represented by the President Eng. Moses Magogo, Vice President Dennis Mbidde, Executive Member Rogers Byamukama, FUFA Deputy CEO Humphrey Mandu,
FUFA Marketing Director Esther Musoke, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic plus National team players Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and Nicholas Wadada.
The drive targets to raise Ug.shs 6 Billion to help assist the National team prepare for the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon.
The fundraising campaign has a slogan “MUJJE TULUMBE GABON NALO NA KAJA” where fans have to donate money through the Ecobank branches across the country or via mobile money on 0701-224433.
Independent auditors BDO East Africa have been hired to ensure the drive is transparent and effective.
Uganda Cranes defender Nicholas Wadada leads by example as he contributes money at the collection center. The Ecobank staff, FUFA team and the media made an instant contribution.
“Let me first congratulate the Uganda Cranes for qualifying to the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon. As a bank, we decided to corporate with FUFA because they proved they are very accountable and trustworthy. We believe in Pan Africanism. We shall be very transparent and we urge the public to contribute to this noble cause” Dodoo noted in his brief remarks.
Micho addresses the media and guests during the Press conference held on Tuesday at Serena Hotel in Kampala
“I was impressed on my first visit to FUFA House with the high levels of professionalism being exhibited in Mengo’ added Dodoo who hails from Ghana.
50 lucky fans will be rewarded with an all expense paid for trip to go and watch Uganda Cranes in Gabon come January 2017.
Ecobank MD Clemente Dodoo making his contribution towards the drive. He was followed by FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo
A Sports editor at the Red Pepper George Katongole won himself a ticket to Gabon after answering correctly a question paused to all in the hall. he answered that Togo is the country where the headquarters of Ecobank are found in Africa.
Fans who contribute Ug.shs 10,000 or more automatically enter the draw that will be held weekly starting next week. Instant prizes will also be won. The account number to deposit on the money is 0069166105476001 under the names- FUFA- Uganda Cranes in all Ecobank branches in Uganda.
Dodoo in his speech praised FUFA for being a trustworthy institution.
“When we were asked to work with FUFA, there is no way we could hold back because they have proven themselves as a trustworthy institution with well audited and displayed books of accounts. We are also glad that the national team qualified for the AFCON 2016 finals in Gabon. Let us come together as a nation and support” Dodoo remarked.
The FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo appreciated Ecobank for the sponsorship and accepting to work with FUFA.
“Today, we have acquired yet another partner, Ecobank. This is true manifestation of the trust different institutions have developed with FUFA” Eng. Magogo stated.
The partnership thus makes Ecobank the official banking institution for FUFA.
Tuesday, 22nd November 2016 has once again been another landmark day in the history of Uganda’s football.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) in conjunction with Eco Bank unveiled a sponsorship package worth Ug.shs 450M specifically for the Uganda Cranes.
The three year sponsorship comes in timely of the Uganda Cranes’ preparation for the 2017 finals in Gabon.
The well attended function at the Nile Hall, Serena Hotel in Kampala was graced by the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo.
Eng. Magogo was joined by the Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredejovic, players (Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and Nicholas Wadada), FUFA Vice President Dennis Mbidde, FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama, Deputy CEO Humphrey Mandu, FUFA Marketing director Esther Musoke, FUFA Communications manager, Ahmed Hussein, ECO Bank managing director, Clement Dodoo, Eco Bank Executive Director Annette Kihuguru, other staff from the bank and the media personnel.
Dodoo in his speech praised FUFA for the being a trustworthy institution.
“When we were asked to work with FUFA, there is no way we could hold back because they have proven themselves as a trustworthy institution with well audited and displayed books of accounts. We are also glad that the national team qualified for the AFCON 2016 finals in Gabon. Let us come together as a nation and support” Dodoo remarked.
The FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo appreciated Eco Bank for the sponsorship and accepting to work with FUFA.
“Today, we have acquired yet another partner, Eco Bank. This is true manifestation of the trust different institutions have developed with FUFA” Eng. Magogo stated.
Micho addresses the media and guests during the Press conference held on Tuesday at Serena Hotel in Kampala
Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic voiced his happiness for the sponsorship to the national team in line with motivating the players ahead of the AFCON 2017 finals and future engagements.
This is a great gesture and the partnership with ECO Bank will drive the players an extra mile. We shall release the full details of the team’s preparations on Wednesday, 23rd November 2016
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, who spoke on the behalf of the players echoed with confidence the potentiality and threat Uganda Cranes will pose at AFCON 2017 finals in Gabon.
We are very ready to fight for the nation. We are not underdogs. There we are ready to show our true character in Gabon
Nicholas Wadada leads by example as he contributes money at the collection center
Meanwhile, a fundraising drive where 50 Uganda Cranes fans will be transported to Gabon for an all-expenses paid for trip has been also launched.
The drive intends to raise Ug.shs 6 Billion to help assist the national team prepare for the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon.
The fundraising campaign has a slogan “CRANES NALO NA KAJA” where fans have to donate money through the various collection centers across the country or via mobile money on 0701-224433.
50 lucky fans will be rewarded with an expense paid for trip to go and watch Uganda Cranes in Gabon come January 2017.
Eco Bank joins the ever swelling long list of FUFA sponsors and partners as Airtel Uganda Limited (the official Uganda Cranes sponsors), Nile Breweries Limited (official beer for the Uganda Cranes), Bidco Uganda Limited (official laundry partner) and National Insurance Corporation (NIC), the FUFA official insurance company.
Kawempe 3-0 Buikwe She Red Stars (Buikwe failed to turn up in Kawempe)
The 2016/17 FUFA Women Elite League resumed on Saturday with a couple of matches on card. The match in Soroti at Olila SS sports ground left many fans yearning for more women football activities in their region on Saturday.
Gafford Ladies traveled to North East to face Olila FC with their minds set on National team player Ikwaput Fazilah. The Kyebando based side that scored a combined 10 goals (6-0 in Soroti and 4-0 at Kyebando) against Olila Women FC last season were shocked when they faced harder with another star player destroying them instead of Ikwaput.
Olila won 2-0 in Soroti thanks to Sharon Achieng’s brace.
‘It is unbelievable that we have lost this match. We shall bounce back and we need to accept that football is full of such results’ said Gafford Ladies top official Henry Barungi.
Other results
UCU Lady Cardinals won convincingly 5-0 against Western United. Maureen Kinavudori netted a hat-trick while Jackie Nakasi and Esther Kadondi added a goal each.
Last season’s deputy champions She Corporates defeated She MAK 2-0 while the match between Defending champions Kawempe Muslim SS and Buikwe She Red Stars wasn’t played as the latter never showed up in Kawempe.
Wakiso Hills were beaten at home 3-0 by Ajax Queens
The match played on Sunday between Riness and Kampala Queens ended in a goalless draw.
The 2016/17 FUFA Big League resumed and had five matches played on Thursday.
A total of 17 goals were scored in the five games. Masavu defeated Kireka United 2-1 at the Katabi play ground in Entebbe to go top of the Rwenzori group with 20 points.
Kenneth Tumusiime and Charles Odeke scored for Masavu whilst Tonny Kiguli got Kireka United’s consolation.
Maroons won away from home 2-1 against Sporting United. Maroons now close the gap on leaders Ndejje University.
Kira United and Paidha Black Angels played to a one all draw.
Artland Katale edged Doves All Stars 2-0 in Kamuli courtesy of Arajab Waiswa.
On Friday, 18th November 2016, there will also be one match when Entebbe F.C hosts Synergy at Bugonga play ground in Entebbe.
All results played on Thursday, 17th November 2016:
Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic strongly believes the national team has the potential to perform well at the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon come January next year.
Micho was addressing the media on Wednesday during the weekly press conference at Mengo in Kampala;
Uganda Cranes head coach, Micho addresses the media at FUFA House on Wednesday
We are capable of getting results at the AFCON 2017 finals in Gabon. We have the belief.
We have taken care of every single detail from the match against Congo Brazzaville and we need to polish up finishing. I am very critical of the way we converted the chances created.
We played the best game tactically this year against Congo Brazzaville during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Winning the game against Botswana was the turning point in our AFCON 2017 journey. There are a number of plat forms – friendly matches, regional tours, AFCON qualifiers, CECAFA and CHAN 2016 in Rwanda that we used to prepare our players
Since May 2013 when i took over, we have played 72 times, 21 matches of these have been friendly matches. 27 won, 9 drawn and lost, which is 60 percent.
Micho addresses the media on Wednesday at the FUFA Weekly Press conference
Media Support:
Micho has asked the media to back the Uganda Cranes’ preparations leading to the AFCON finals and the World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
Preparations for the national team will soon get underway.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Eng. Moses Magogo has categorically condemned the acts of violence executed towards the FUFA House on Monday by some of the Ex-players.
The Ex-players vandalized the glass door of the main entrance leading to most offices at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala as they attempted to forcefully ambush the Federation Headquarters.
FUF President Eng. Moses Magogo’s full speech at the weekly Press Conference at FUFA House on Wednesday;
I am here to address the media concerning the unfortunate incident that happened on Monday when FUFA house was attacked by some of the Ex-international football players.
FUFA, you must appreciate that it is composed by 33 Member Associations who are not individuals but groups.
Of the 33 members, we have 16 clubs in the Azam Uganda Premier League, 8 FUFA Regions, 7 special interest groups, the FUFA Big league and the FUFA Women Elite League.
Some times that point gets lost when people look at me, Edgar or Hussein as FUFA.
We are managed by a Constitution and the elections are organized every after four years by the Supreme body called the General Assembly where these members send their Delegates and this is the supreme body which takes decisions on behalf of the members.
The Executive Committee implements these decisions through the Secretariat headed by the CEO and that is FUFA.
Football worldwide brings together the people who are active in the game and any game of football to happen you need players to play, referees to officiate, coaches, administrators and sometimes Doctors.
That’s how the game of football happens , without them football can’t happen.
Therefore, to create a product called football, all these people must go to the kitchen to cook and come out.
Football worldwide has been to organised to be a combination of active persons in the game of football.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo at the weekly Press Conference in Mengo on Wednesday
If you look at the 33 members which are open for anyone to join are strictly active in the game of football. If any of these members
become inactive, automatically they lose their membership with FUFA. The association to come to FUFA is about being active
and bring something to the table.
The game has also moved on and the number of things has come up that people must come to terms with. Many people have contributed to the game of football since 1924 as players, referees and officials and have invested personal resources into creating this product.
Therefore if they are talking about the past we must include very body who has contributed to the development of football.
It was an unfortunate incident that happened when some of the former football players took it upon themselves to unlawfully invade the premises of the Federation.
FUFA condemns the incident and we believe it is not required in modern times.
There are a number of people and some of the issues we have heard and I thought this was very important to bring to the attention of the country that the game has moved on to use professionals in terms of executions and the politicians do the decisions and the staff does the implementation.
Having played football only gives you as an added advantage.
Today, we have Mr Samuel Egesa as the FUFA Referees’ Manager but he is a manager because of his other skills that he had acquired in that office and being a referee is an added advantage.
It is also important to bring to the attention of the public that as the Federation we have had a policy to try as much as possible to absorb former players and now we have over 15 former players within the management of the game of football.
We have Edgar Watson, the CEO is a former player and captain of the National team and composition plays a key role in the game of football.
Humphrey Mandu-the Deputy CEO former Posta FC and National U-23 player, Asumani Lubowa the FUFA Technical Director , Jackson Nyiima the FUFA Education Officer, Patrick Ntege – the National Teams’ Officer, Hadija Namuyanja, Coaches Moses Basena, Fred Kajoba, Kefa Kisala, Majidah Nantanda at the National team level
The FUFA Technical Committee has David Lumansi, Livingstone Kyambadde and Paul Ssali all who are former players.
We cannot have a collection of only former players because certain functions are technical and need technocrats with skills and expertise.
At the level of Executive we have a number of former players including the President while some have contributed constantly like Justus Mugisha the 1st FUFA VP who owns Standard High School, Zana which has generated players to the National team like Hassan Wasswa, Vincent Kayizzi, Patrick Ochan, Brian Majwega, Mike Mutyaba have all gone through that School.
The 2nd VP Darius Mugoye and some Executive Committee members have used personal money to support football at the grassroots level.
These people are contributing to the game of football using their own money and the game needs the money. We cannot have the product without such people.
Many other people inject their own money into clubs playing football at various levels.
We need everybody in the game of football and everybody is as important to the product and we should condemn the act that some people feel they are more important that others yet the product can not move on e without the others contribution .
A Mercedes Benz with the best engine cannot move to Jinja without wipers on a rainy day.
This country is managed under laws and therefore we expect everybody who is thinking that he has been disadvantaged and some of the names mentioned in this have not been banned from football Their actions qualifies them to be banned from football.
Everybody is free to join any association and make contribution to the game of football like Coaches, players and Referees’ Associations.
No one can enter FUFA as an individual and I am sure no association closes out anyone.
Therefore I would like these people to join their associations so that they can contribute to the game of football. The game picks up any who has made a contribution.
All of us did not start as Presidents. We started by contributing as players, administrators and finally found our way.
We shall not stop hiring professionals to develop the game of football.
It is very unfortunate that some of the names into these actions on Monday were great players who earned a lot of money when they were playing and never invested properly.
In life, anyone who fails to invest while still working, the day you stop working you will not go back to where you were working to look after you.
When you are making money invest for tomorrow when not making money.
People played for the national team but there were also levels above the national team that they would have become professionals and the biggest players in the world.
We can only use this incidence as educational material because we collected photos and videos that we shall use while teaching players and young ones not to act like the individuals who attacked FUFA House on Monday.
Look at the situation where the all of Africa is celebrating Ugandan football and asking what we have done to reach that level.
The State has started recognizing football and the NRM government has been here since 1986. Why is it right now it’s recognizing football.
We believe as football we have done certain things to call the attention and thus has been the sweat of the coaches, administrators and players across the whole country.
Football is also putting our country on the world map because international news agencies like BBC, Aljazeera, CNN are talking about Uganda after qualifying for AFCON 2017 finals in Gabon and superb performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers.
On Saturday we won our game against Congo Brazzaville and the whole world is still watching and then on Monday some individuals come and break glass door which costs some dollars 1000 dollars or less but the dent that it gives our country internationally is non-quantifiable.
The amount of energy given in by the players and coaches and everybody else is being brought down by in a single barbaric act with no popular deal but simply because some one says ‘I as a person I have not been looked after yet I played football’.
Right now football in Uganda is at its best ever it has been in-terms of organisation, systems, plans, programmes ,women football, Youth football, life come-back to the league and the performance of the National team.
A combination of all these things happening is not by accident but because we have invested time and attention. Therefore when one comes out and says football is in a mess because “I as an individual I haven’t been catered for yet I played football” is not serious.
This is unfortunate and unfair to a group of people who contribute to the game of football through their work and sweat.
I would like to assure the public that as a Federation we know where we are coming from and going and we shall not allow these acts to continue.
We shall pursue these individuals using the laws of this country because vandalism, tresspass, assault and destruction of our image which has cost us a lot of time and money to repair cannot be accepted.
We have ignored this group and people for a long time in the interest of brotherhood because they played football.
However actions that take us backwards, we have ignored but as we speak we shall take on these people legally. Let the law take its course.
We told them that the day they will have an effect on the Federation, we would take them on and definitely this is the moment .We will take on these people according to the laws of the country.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has partnered with Breeze Travel and Safaris Limited to organize travel arrangements for fans willing to attend the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Gabon.
During a press conference held at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala on Wednesday, Alexis B. Jubilee, the managing director of Breeze Travel and Safaris Limited reassured the fans of comfortable traveling on the best affordable rates.
L-R: FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredejovic and Alexis Jubilee, the M.D Breeze Travel and Safaris Limited
We are an experienced Tours and Travel company that has given people a memorable package in and out of Uganda for over 15 years having previously taken fans to Lesotho, Egypt, Seychelles, Netherlands, Dubai, USA, Malaysia, China, Singapore, FIFA World Cup in South Africa (2010), Kenya (Uganda vs. Kenya in 2013), Ghana (Afcon qualifier in 2008) among others
The company therefore promises the best voyage for the fans at affordable rates.
There are different packages available for the fans to give the fans a memorable championship at the fairest packages to travel to Gabon and watch Uganda’s come back in the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Uganda Cranes fans who would wish to watch the matches at the coastal city of Gentile and the traditional Oyem, all over 250KM from the airport.
This package accommodates fans who would like to watch one match, two matches or those who love the watch all the three group matches involving Uganda Cranes.
Our packages include:
Return economy ticket from Entebbe to Libreville , Gabon
Airport Taxes
Airport Transfers return in Port Gentil and Oyem City
Travel Insurance
Ground transport from hotel in Port Gentil and Oyem to the stadium return
Airport transport from Libreville to Oyem city (return)
Airport transport from Libreville to Port Gentil City (return)
Specified accomodation in 4 Star Hotel, Bed and Breakfast only
Boat Cruise from Libreville to Port Gentil (return)
VISA
Match Tickets
The package excludes (Personal expenses, telephone and laundry, beverages, Tips, room service, use of mini bar in the room or any personal expenses and gratitude with porterage)
Travel packages to Gabon from 16th January – 26th January 2017
Option 1 – 2 nights and 3 days ($ 2480)
Travel Date: 16th – 18th January 2017 – Ghana Vs Uganda
Travel Date: 24th – 26th January 2017 – Uganda Vs Mali
Option 2 – 4 nights and 5 days ($ 2880)
Travel Date – 19th – 23rd January 2017 – Egypt Vs Uganda
Option 3 – 7 Nights and 8 Days ($ 4050)
Travel Date – 24th – 26th January 2017 – Uganda Vs Mali
Travel Date – 19th – 23rd January 2017 – Egypt Vs Uganda
Option 4 – 10 Nights and 11 days ($ 4390)
Travel Date – 16th – 26th January 2017 (All the three group stage matches)
The 2016 Airtel FUFA Awards will be officially launched on Monday, 14th November 2016 at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
According to the FUFA communications manager Ahmed Hussein, the awards will be launched at Achwa Hall starting at 10 a.m.
The 2016 Airtel FUFA Awards will be launched on Monday, 14th November 2016 at Achwa Hall – Serena International Hotel in Kampala starting at 10 a.m
The purpose of these awards to recognize the efforts of all those personalities who have worked hard throughout the season.
During last year’s Airtel FUFA Awards, Faruku Miya, then playing at Vipers and Sandra Nabweteeme (then of Kawempe Muslim S.S) were voted the male and female respective best footballers in the country.
