Category: Latest News

The FUFA President Engineer Moses Magogo faced the sports media for the first time since returning from South Africa where Uganda Cranes took part in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).  While addressing the media at Ivys Hotel in Wakaliga on Thursday afternoon, Magogo outlined important items that he believes will take football in the country to another level. In attendance was by Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, his assistants Fred Kajoba, Kefa Kisala and the national team players. Magogo was grateful of the technical team for selecting a competitive team that took on established teams on the continent during CHAN. He also thanked Rogers Byamukama the Leader of Delegation, Mujib Kasule and the other technical personnel at the tournament.

The President’s appreciation also extended to the Ugandan fans living in South Africa and those who travelled for the support they gave to the team. He thanked the Official Cranes Sponsors, Airtel without whom, the preparations and facilitations would have not been as they were.

 

‘The level of performance of the players notwithstanding the opposition has satisfied us, that with better preparations we can match the big boys on the continent. 21 days in camp, the discipline and dedication of the players and coaches was one of the reasons we narrowly missed a place in the quarterfinals’ said Magogo

 

Magogo noted that the build-up games the Cranes played against Egypt (twice), Rwanda and Mauritania were very vital in improving on the players’ confidence ahead of the tournament.

 

He also said that the players returned from South Africa different from what they were before the tournament. He further revealed that the CHAN championship was used as a platform for some of the players to open up opportunities for joining the paid ranks.

 

“I am certain that players like Yunus, Kasagga, Ntegge and others are not the same like before in the eyes of the coaches, the fans and themselves. Like I said before, the CHAN championship was a work in progress’ added a jovial Magogo at a fully packed conference room.

 

He also said that the team was disappointed on how close we got to the quarter finals but noted that they carried very many positives from CHAN and that on another day we could have performed better. He urged the fans to keep faith in the Uganda Cranes because it is our country and it is our game.

 

“We shall continue and strive to improve on the preparations, welfare and facilities of the national teams for the forthcoming competitions” said Magogo

 

The FUFA president also took time to inform the media that there is about Three Hundred and ten Million (UGX 310M) allocated for FUFA Member Associations but would be spent on activities like hiring a full time secretary, opening up secretariats and buying footballs.

 

In his final remarks Magogo, called on all stakeholders to come on board and help in developing football in Uganda. He said that the football politics takes a lot of resources at the expense of football development. He urged all stakeholders to condemn those who promote football politics ahead of football development.

 

‘Let us reserve our energies on helping the footballers earning a good living from football. It is our responsibility to maintain football as the number one sport in the country’ said Magogo.

The press conference was also attended by FUFA top Executive and committee members like 1^st Vice President Justus Mugisha, 2^nd Vice President Darius Mugoye, Hamid Juma and chairman Technical Mujib Kasule.

Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is confident the players who featured in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) have a bright future. Micho’s comments came less than 24 hours after the National team-Uganda Cranes returned home from South Africa after boing out at the group stage during CHAN. While addressing the media at Ivys Hotel in Wakaliga, Micho is convinced that his boys were focussed for the tournament. He said the mental strength of the team was its best as they prepared for the tournament.

‘My boys were prepared for every game in South Africa’ said Micho.  

He told the media that in his 13 years coaching experience, he had never seen a team dedicated like the CAHN squad before.

‘Dedication, commitment, immense unity, time keeping was the order of the day for the boys while in camp’ added The Serbian tactician who also clarified on the substitution of midfielder Hassan Wasswa in the game against Morocco which Cranes lost 3-1.

Micho further said ‘Wasswa got treatment from the team Doctor Ronald Kisolo at half time. The player signalled for his substitution because he was struggling with a calf injury’.

He however said that he was satisfied with the performance of his team in South Africa but it could have been better.  

During the press conference Micho also revealed that the National team would play five friendlies before the 2015 Nations cup qualifiers kick off in September.

He also the technical team will meet and start putting into consideration players who are plying trade around the globe and those in diaspora but have not been monitored in the past.

Uganda Cranes contingent will return home tomorrow from South Africa after their second successive show at the Africa Nations champion (CHAN). The Cranes will land at Entebbe International Airport at 7pm.
Cranes’ progress to the next round of the competition was hampered by a 3-1 loss to Morocco in a decisive Group B game yesterday.  The result left Cranes on four points, not enough to send them into the quarterfinals. Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s boys won one game 2-1 against Burkina Faso, drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe and lost the other to Morocco.

 

Buganda region qualifiers: Bulo Red Stars and Kiggogwa advance

The Buganda Region preliminary rounds of the 2013/2014 Uganda Cup concluded over the weekend with Bulo Red Stars eliminating Entebbe Internationals on FIFA spot kicks following a 1-1 stalemate in normal time. Bulo Red stars won 3-0 on spot kicks to advance. Buganda region will be represented by seven teams in the next round of the tournament played on a knockout basis.  The teams are Seeta Utd, Mpoma Tigers FC, Bombo Utd FC, Kampala University FC, and Synergy FC who got byes in to the round of 64 while Kiggogwa FC and Bulo Red Stars had to play the preliminary games.

 

Kampala region qualifiers: Ex-Internationals still going strong

After knocking out Edgars Youth at Nakivubo on spot kicks, Ext Internationals returned to action over the weekend at Kaala grounds in Mutundwe. Led by a host of former stars on the national team, Ex-Internationals managed to edge Nateete Market 1-0 as they qualified for the round of 64. Eight other teams from Kampala region have made the next round. They are: Hope Soana, Kireka United, Stegota, Life Eternal, St Mary’s, Bweyogerere and FC Barca. Coup De Grande and Kansanga Half London still have a game to face to determine the 9^th team to qualify form Kampala region.

Kamwokya United FC who reached the quarterfinals of the Uganda cup last season, we handed a bye and will start at the round of 64.

Results: Kampala region

Kyambogo 3(1)-4(1) Bweyogerere

Wembley 0-1 St Mary’s

Life Eternal 3 (0) – 2(0) Banda Stars

Mengo 0-2 Stegota

Kireka United 2-0 Kibuli United

Police Young 1-2 Hope Soana

Nateete Market 0-1 Ex-Internationals

FC Barca 3 (0)-2(0) Ntinda United

Coup De Grande 3-0 Nabugabo Updeal

All stars 0-1 Kansanga/Half London

Note: SC Victoria University is the defending champion. The winner represents Uganda in the CAF Confederations cup in 2015.

Morocco vs Uganda Cranes at 8pm (UG Time)

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has made just one change from the team that drew 0-0 against Zimbabwe in the ongoing Africa Nations championship (CHAN) in South Africa. Vincent Kayizzi who paved way for Francis Olaki against Zimbabwe has been given the chance again to patrol the right wing position. Olaki moves back to the bench. Uganda Cranes needs a win or draw to advance from group B for a place in the quarterfinals.

Cranes Starting Lineup against Morocco: Benjamin Ochan (Goal Keeper), Julius Ntambi, Isaac Muleme, Richard Kasagga, Savio Kabugo, Ivan Ntege, Vincent Kayizzi, Hassan Wasswa, Denis Guma (Capt), Brian Majwega and Yunus Sentamu.

Substitutes to be picked from:
ISMA WATENGA (GK), YASSER MUGERWA, SIMON OKWI, ASIKU CRESPO, RONNIE KISEKA, MPANDE JOSEPH, ALLAN KYAMBADDE, OLAKI FRANCIS, KYEYUNE SAIDI, MARTIN MPUGA, KIMERA ALI (GK), Nicholas WADADA

Update by Joseph Mutaka-Uganda Cranes CHAN Squad Media officer in Cape Twon, South Africa

Endurance and commitment have got me this far-says SC Victoria University shot stopper  

Interview conducted by Joseph Mutaka-(Cranes Media Officer in charge of CHAN squad)

How do you rate your talent compared to other Uganda Cranes goal keepers?

We have a lot of talent in Uganda but being between the posts for Uganda Cranes is an honor for me. However it has been a long and tough journey for me.  About my talent, I trust myself but I know the other keepers are good to represent the country. Initially I had no interest at all to goal keep or even play football. I was forced by my games master in school to play the game and that is how I picked up interest in football. But everything is by God’s grace.

 Who inspired you to get this far?

Denis Onyango has always inspired me.  I seek advice from him for guidance on how to be a better goalkeeper. Onyango is a player who always encourages his fellow players to improve. His motivational messages always help very many players.

                                                                  

What do you think is your strength in goal keeping?

I’m good at organizing the team especially the back line. I’m also a good shot stopper.

How about your weaknesses?

Well I don’t have any but I try my best to balance my qualities and skills to perform better during the game. I always struggle between the posts if I put on weight which is as a result of training.

What good things have you achieved in the game of football?

The sport has helped me make friends and travel around the globe.

Do you have any disappointments in your career so far?

Yes. When I was at Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa for professional football, I didn’t play any competitive game other than friendly games.

What are your future targets?

I want to start a soccer academy and be so much involved in it so that I can pass my knowledge to the younger generation.

What is your dream?

I would like to play in any elite league like the English Premier League

Do you have any advice to the people who love football?  

People should know that talent is the most paying thing but endurance and commitment can lead you to greater heights.

Joseph Mutaka talked to Benjamin Ochan at the Cranes Camp in Cape Town, South Africa where Uganda is taking part in the CHAN Championship.

Zimbabwe 0-0 Uganda

Burkina Faso 1-1 Morocco

Uganda Cranes’ gallant performance against Zimbabwe in the crucial game of the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town South Africa kept them at the top of Group B.  The goalless draw in yesterday’s game leaves Uganda with four points from two fixtures.  Cranes goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan was kept busy during the game but managed to pull off good saves to deny the Zimbabweans any chance of hitting the back of the net.  The SC Victoria University shot stopper was named man of the match in a game that saw Richard Kasagga and Julius Ntambi pick up yellow cards. Cranes opponents in the same group Morocco and Burkina Faso drew 1-1 in the other fixture played on Thursday. The result dashed Morocco’s hopes of going joint top with Cranes. Morocco and Zimbabwe have two points each while Burkina Faso has one point. Cranes will qualify for the quarterfinals if they win or draw against Morocco on 20^th January, 2014.  

Soana FC striker Francis Olaki has been named in the Uganda Cranes starting XI for the Group B CHAN game against Zimbabwe later today.  Olaki who came on as a substitute in the Cranes opening game is the only change from the team that beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday. Vincent Kayizi was left out by head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic. Two goal hero Yunus Abbey will lead the attack with Olaki.

Here is the starting line up: Benjamin Ochan (Goal Keeper), J. Ntambi, I. Muleme, R. Kasagga, S. Kabugo, F. Ntege, F. Olaki, H. Wasswa, D. Guma (Capt), B. Majwega, Y. Sentamu.

The match kicks off at 6pm Uganda Time