Category: Latest News

The federation has appointed Ahmed Hussein as the new spokesperson. Hussein brings in a wealth of experience in the Media and PR to FUFA.  Hussein was officially introduced to the media today at FUFA house during the  weekly press conference.

About 36 participants have enrolled for referees beginners’ course at FUFA House in Mengo. The course is organized by Kampala Region Football Association.  The federation continues with its efforts to get more young people take up refereeing in Uganda.
Former FIFA assistant referee Ali Tomusange, Kamulegeya Ali and Idrisa Kiwanuka are the facilitators of the course which started on Monday 13th Jan and ends on Saturday 19th January, 2014.  All the twenty Kampala regional league clubs were asked to send two delegates each. The course runs from 9am-5pm.

Meanwhile, FUFA is in the process of recruiting Referees fitness monitors from each region. The regional referees will be responsible for monitoring and conducting physical fitness tests for their referee and send reports to FUFA. Each region shall submit 3 names out of which one will be selected.

FUFA has issued International transfer certificates (ITCs) to the following players this month so far. The transfer period helps clubs to sign on players to strengthen their clubs.
The players are Godfrey Walusimbi from SC Villa to Gor Mahia (Kenya), Hamza Olema from Katale FC to Atlabara FC (South Sudan) and James Mukubya from SC Villa to (Rwanda).

Coaches’ meet:
The Uganda Football Coaches Association will this Saturday organize a one day coaching course at FUFA house.
The course is designed to prepare the coaches on how to handle matters of football, the public and capacity building.
FUFA is calling upon all qualified coaches to register through the stipulated local coaching structure through the district, regional and national levels

Zimbabwe vs Uganda

Kick-off: 6pm (UG Time)

Date: 16th Jan, 2014

It is a dream for any coach to head into a match with no injury worries. Such is the news from South Africa where the National soccer team of local based players-Uganda Cranes is taking part in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

After today’s training session in the morning at Langa stadium, the team doctor Ronald Kisolo reported no injuries in the team.

With a tricky Group B fixture coming up tomorrow for Cranes against Zimbabwe, head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic coach is set to make use of his full squad.  Both teams are accommodated at Garden Court Hotel in Cape Town.

Micho has instructed his players to stick to the food which they are comfortable with. Uganda will be seeking yet another win in the 2014 championship having picked up a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso in their opening fixture on Sunday night.  Uganda Cranes will seal a place in the quarter finals if they get maximum points against Zimbabwe.

The match kicks off 6pm (Uganda Time) at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

The federation has learnt of baseless rumours circulating about the resignation of Mr. Rogers Mulindwa. It was Mulindwa’s choice to resign from his position which the federation accepted and he has honorably handed over the office.

It is also important to note that FIFA has never instructed FUFA to sack Mulindwa and neither has the FUFA President Mr. Moses Magogo given any interview or exchanged information with anybody in South Africa on this matter.

The President has instead concentrated on the CHAN tournament to motivate the Cranes’ players and to meet CAF officials on matters of football development.

Kenya’s Harambee stars beat Sudan 2-0 to lift this year’s GO-TV CECAFA Challenge Cup at Nyayo stadium. Former Kenyan Prime minister Raila Odinga who officially presided over the opening ceremony was still the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

Team Captain Allan Wanga scored both goals to send the Kenyan fans into prolonged jubilations.  Earlier in the day former African champions Chipolopolo of Zambia beat Tanzania on spot kicks to book the third place and walk away with US 10,000 in cash prize courtesy of GO-TV.

Go-TV also rewarded the winners with USD 30,000 and the first runners-up with USD. 20,000.

Below was the FUFA President’s speech during the FUFA weekly Press Conference on Wednesday 11th December 2013 at FUFA House

Main Issues: State of Affairs

I am here to address the Media on 3 main issues that I deemed fit to come out and clarify. These are FIFA Performance, National Teams and Finances

FIFA Performance;
This is a FIFA Programme that may be requested by Member Associations for the evaluation and long term planning of football activities in a country. As soon as I became President, I required that FIFA expedites the earlier request made for this programme. FIFA has since sent a panel of experts who together with the FUFA Executive Committee evaluated the FUFA business processes and drew up a long term plan with short medium and long term objectives. The plan includes the following areas;
1) Technical development agenda,
2) Administration and Management,
3) Governance,
4) League and clubs development
5) Marketing and communications

The FUFA Excom will sit next week to draw up detailed plans of executions and many of our next activities will depend on this plan. The details will be communicated after next week.

National Teams:
The long term objective of FUFA is to create the senior men and women national teams that can win continental and world competitions. This is not an objective to be achieved in a few years. It can only be achieved through a long term and thorough football technical development plan. Football development requires patience and is painful. If we choose the path of development we must be prepared to endure bad results, we cannot have both results and development.
We withdrew the Women U-20 football team from 2014 Canada World Cup qualifiers not because we could not raise the 200 million UGX for the game against Ghana but it did not make technical and business sense to spend 200 million UGX for 180 games with 22 girls involved. After spending over 120 million UGX for the South Sudan game with barely 2 weeks in office, the return leg fetched 600,000 UGX in gate collections. We believe this money can be spent better.

Until we make the women football more commercially appealing to the fans and consequently the corporate world, we rather utilise the resources we have on activities that will provide more minutes and more girls more chances to play the game as it takes root. The line-up of activities in the same period of time did not also favour the cash flow issues. It is not even the first time this particular scenario is happening in the recent times. We need a long term solutions

CECAFA and CHAN are development competitions and not an end in itself. Our objective for CECAFA and CHAN is to add miles to the legs of many players and widen the pool. It is not winning the respective competitions. We took 16 locally based players, 1 not attached and 3 foreign based players. All these 20 players have potential for the 2015 AFCON qualifiers starting in September 2015. We have so far achieved our objective for CECAFA with after a closer look at Aucho and Dan Serunkuma provided more options for the coach than before. Baba Kizito, Okwi, Diego Hamis and Walusimbi played in the 2011 U-23 All Africa games and none of them has 10 caps in the AFCON/WC Qualifiers.

We had the option of including Odongkara and Isinde who have a total of 6 caps in the AFCON/WC Qualifiers but are deemed experienced in Uganda. We had 8 starters at CECAFA who have never featured in CECEFA before. Won 3 games drew 1 out of the 4 games, scored 7 goals conceded only 2 in a tournament where only Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda took Development teams

Uganda has no divine right to win 5 out of 6 previous CECAFA Competitions. Football Development includes both identification and nurturing. Why do we need to continue identifying when we are not developing those identified? How developed are players who have less than 10 caps? How long did it take Ibrahim Sekagya and David Obua to perfect their trade? How were they performing when they had similar caps like these lads? Do you forget a few years ago the nation came down with absence on one player which is no longer the case now?
We are on right path and we shall not be detracted as we prepare for the 2015 AFCON qualifiers and 2018 World Cup Qualifiers but my direction is long term technical development for competitions where I may not necessarily be the President of FUFA

Finance:
In my manifesto, I was very clear that I will open more streams of revenue and prudently spend to effectively utilise the little available resources. We have since passed a Finance Manual with standards of payments for the various allowances and entitlements. The standard figures in this manual are the exact payments made previously and no reduction has been anywhere. I also emphasized in my manifesto that despite my direction being development, we shall maintain or even better the Uganda Cranes Remunerations.

Uganda Cranes players were paid their dues for CECAFA as the case has been in the past. It was not 25,000 UGX per day as earlier reported by the same persons who breed trouble where there is none. It is however fashionable these days to lie in reputable newspapers and the editorial continue to upload stories proven as lies. It is a calculated agenda to create anarchy where there is none. The dark forces and their agents against football that had gone on vacation are back to haunt and halt the fast reforms and development efforts. Our weapon has always been truth again propaganda and lies. We shall once again prove them wrong.
FUFA is the only Federation in the Region and Africa at large that pays players allowances. Elsewhere it is government. Comparison is made with other countries where the players sign the Ministry of Finance Vouchers? As FUFA we paid what has always been paid to the players for CECAFA probably the unfortunate incident is that we did not win the prize money which they normally share a percentage at the end of the tournament

Generally FUFA is in a very stable financial state. We have been able to undertake all our obligations. We are up-to-date with Staff payments. We continue to meet our obligations for the Head coach on time. This is however done at the expense of development programmes and we continue to appeal to government to just check on the neighbourhood what the practise is. Why is it only Uganda that the Football Association pays the technical team and taxes on all times salaries inclusive but we continue to ridicule the persons making that possible on top of being the top football nation in the region? How ironical?
We have run down the outstanding amounts to 75% in the last 3 months in our policy of 3:1. Pay 3 UGX to existing creditors and acquire on credit works goods and services for 1 UGX
As we speak about the players allowances, we have CHAN coming in a few days which is fully financed by FUFA. We have to undertake Pre Competition Medical, Training Camps in Uganda and South Africa, Salaries and Allowances, Equipment, Air tickets and this will not cost less than 300 million UGX. Whereas the Airtel deal brings to FUFA 950 million UGX, the Uganda Cranes Annual budget is over 2.5 billion UGX. We are proud to be sponsored by Airtel, the biggest sports sponsorship that this country has seen. We shall continue to prudently utilise the resources available. Those attempting to ridicule the sponsorship have the same hidden motives and are living in denial.

There is also the cheap talk going on that I must explain. No individual irrespective of how much money he holds can finance football. It is actually criminal in the football developed world to spend personal monies into football. SC Villa and Express are suffering exactly the same problem where the expectation is attracting a rich man to spend personal money into football. The economic times are changing and it will only get harder. Football is supposed to generate its own income to run its activities. The government finances the national teams, the Football Association undertakes development expenses while the clubs make a commercial appeal to fans to finance their activities.

I have heard stories of Magogo not having the money to finance FUFA activities. When did I say I have it? I have the ability to finance my personal activities and I have always and will continue to live a very comfortable personal life on top of financing a football club with over 30 persons paid monthly from my private earnings

I offered my brains to generate football money and spend it prudently, to appeal to government to undertake its contribution and the talks are very promising and re-organise club football to make a commercial appeal to fans which will generate resources for the club football
Those advocating for rich men to run football from their personal pockets remember it is not sustainable and the end is always the same. You ought to wake up to the reality that football needs huge sums that no individual can provide. Those who have attempted for the passion of the game have been paid by ridiculed by the same dark forces. Have you ever wondered why those who leave never come back?
It is our game, it is our country

FUFA PRESIDENT
Eng. Moses Magogo

Hosts Harambee Stars played their best game since the kickoff of the tournament edging Kilimanjaro Stars 1-0 in the delayed second semifinal match of this year’s GO-TV CECAFA Challenge Cup played under flood lights at Nyayo stadium Tuesday evening.

At Mombasa Municipal stadium, a second venue for another semifinal, Sudan maintained their classic performance by dumping former African champions Chipolopolo of Zambia on a 2-1 win. Sudan and Kenya will now face off in the finals on Thursday but earlier in the day, losers Tanzania and Zambia will battle for the third place.

Kenya had a rare near-perfect day this evening and it was a double act of beauty that gave them an early goal. They then played tactfully throughout the 90 minutes to completely deny Tanzania any breakthrough.

Just after four minutes, Anthony “Teddy” Akumu who had a brilliant performance as a defensive midfielder fired from 40 metres out, a thundering shot his Gor Mahia teammate in the Tanzania goal, Ivo Mapunda could only block but Clifton Miheso was again near to net a re-bound ball.

And it would have been 2-0, just a short while later.  Edwin Lavatsa, tearing down the right flank had a perfect square ball into the six-yard box and after it went past Allan Wanga who lost his footing, Miheso needed to just keep the ball down and score on the same spot.

Good move for Amrouche

If the score had been 2-0 that early it probably would have made the semi-final a no-contest.

But instead it was a long thrilling match in which Harambee Stars showed that out spoken Adel Amrouche, with team only for a while, had a promising coaching blue print. Kenya that last won this championship in 2002 are getting close to their 6th title.

His team’s approach brought out just how good the playmaking midfielder Francis Kahata is. And a little more; that he needs serious strength and conditioning to discourage tougher men from bullying him when he takes the mickey out of them with his glorious skills.

Also, each of Amrouche’s men on the night seemed so fired up and able in their roles that it was always going to be a very good night for Harambee Stars.

The defence played as they had been rated — excellent; with the veterans James Situma and Joackins Atudo really appreciating and being comfortable with young blood David Owino and upstart Aboud Omar.

Peter Opiyo had absolutely no trouble as the lynchpin in the middle of the park, orchestrating moves for Kahata and an excellent Lavatsa on the right wing.

The Gor Mahia flier seemed to have the easiest of instructions; pick up every ball and race, top pace, every time as far he could before making the cross. The Kilimanjaro Stars’ defence had a harrowing time throughout the match trying to keep up with Lavatsa.

Bad day for Samata, Ulimwengu

The possibility of levelling remained, the time-tested Kili Stars throwing in everything. But TP Mazembe Stars Mbwana Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu, and speedster Mrisho Ngassa made an attacking trio fed well by Amri Kiemba playing just behind them. They, however, could not intimidate Harambee Stars. The two players had a bad day compared to their past two matches.

Earlier Harambee Stars had threatened for a third time, Kahata doing like Akumu had done for the first goal, but Wanga just fell an inch short of reaching the rebound from another Mapunda fumble before the Gor Mahia ‘keeper re-gathered the ball.

After the break, Kili Stars had their best chance of the match when Opiyo lost Kenya’s possession and Ulimwengu sent a booming shot that beat ‘keeper Duncan Ochieng’ but the crossbar came to the rescue.

But then when Kahata was fouled in the 66th minute to earn Kenya a free kick Lavatsa curved it well and Mapunda just managed to tip it over the bar.

On the night, Harambee Stars were so cohesive that Amrouche looked like he would leave the XI to see out the match. However, with five minutes left, he brought out the tiring lead striker Wanga, bringing in Noah Wafula to trouble the Kilimanjaro defence and prevent an-all-out attack by the Tanzanians in the dying minutes.

Match moved from Machakos

But in the 88^th minute Samatta broke into the Kenya box and showed a rare lack of confidence, incredibly missing a clear chance.

The bringing on of Mungai Kiongera in the last minute of added three minutes was also meant to stall time, waiting for Thiery Mkurunziza whistle that was greeted with jubilation by a small band of supporters mainly ferried from Machakos.

Earlier and just before 1pm, the semi-final was nearly starting at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, a one hour-drive out of Nairobi when rain made that impossible. A packed stadium was dejected as they saw the teams and the “live” television crew packing up to re-locate to Nyayo National Stadium.

Machakos people are innovative and determined. Their Governor, Alfred Mutua, offered to “bus” for free — anybody who had paid to enter Kenyatta Stadium — to Nairobi.

TANZANIA Line up: 1. Ivo Philip MAPUNDA: 5. Kevin YONDA (captain), 4. Erasto Edward NYONI, 13. Michael Pius EDWARD, 15. Said Hussein MORAD, 16. Frank Raymond DAMAYO, 14. Saleh DILUNGA (12. Rashid Mussa SHAH), 10. Mbwana Ally SAMATTA, 17. Alfan Mrisho NGASSA, 11. Thomas ULIMWENGU, 9. Ramadhan Amri KIEMBA (3. Athman “Chuji” IDD)

Reserves not used – 18. Bonaventure MUNISH, Gk; 6. Himid Mao MKAMI, 8. Athman CHANONGO, 7. Yahya R SINGANO, 20. Ismail Adan GAMBO

Coach: Kim POULSEN (Denmark)

KENYA Line up: 18. Duncan OCHIENG’ (Sofapaka), 2. James SITUMA (Sofapaka), 14. Joackins ATUDO (Azam, Tanzania), 15. David OWINO (Gor Mahia), 3. Aboud OMAR (Tusker),4. Anthony “Teddy” AKUMU  (Gor Mahia), 7. Peter OPIYO (Tusker), 10. Francis KAHATA (Thika United), 13. Clifton MIHESO (Thika United), 11. Allan WANGA, captain (AFC Leopards), 20. Edwin LAVATSA (Gor Mahia)

Reserves: 1. Frederick ONYANGO, Gk (Gor Mahia), 19. Musa MOHAMMED (Gor Mahia), 17. Mungai KIONGERA (Gor Mahia), 8. James Mulinge NDETTO (Ulinzi Stars), 6. Noah WAFULA (AFC Leopards), 5. David KING’ATUA (Thika United)

 

Jomo Kenyata stadium in Machakos has turned soggy following heavy rains rendering the ground relatively difficult to host today’s  CECAFA Semi final match between hosts Kenya and Tanzania that had earlier been scheduled to kick off at 1:00pm.

The area which is currently experiencing a wet season had rain in the morning and repeated again an hour to kick off. Efforts were under way to spongy out the water by a group of local women but the second downfall left everybody speechless. Both teams had already arrived in Machakos and the two Coaches  rejected the  ground earlier before it rained again.

CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye is right now held up in a crisis management meeting with the local organising committee and the CECAFA technical committee to have a final decision taken.

Chances are however high that the highly anticipated semi final could be shifted back to Nairobi to be played later in the day. Lets wait and see.

Semifinalists Harambee Stars of Kenya will be playing their first ever game at Jomo Kenyatta stadium in Machakos this Tuesday afternoon against Kirimanjaro stars but without their lead striker Jacob Kelli.

Kelli who features for KCB Football Club in the Kenyan Premier League picked up an injury during their quarter final match against Rwanda in Mombasa Municipal stadium last Saturday. “No, I can’t play and I may be out of the game for some good weeks. But my team has all my prayers”, said a visibly concerned young player on Monday evening.

Kelli was caught up at Park Hill Hotel with the team doctor as the rest of the teammates had departed earlier in the day for Machakos where they spent the night. Midfielder Noah Wafula is also doubtful as he was reported to have malaria.

Tanzania looks more focused

Harambee Stars will have to be at their best to beat Kilimanjaro Stars who look more focused and prepared for this year’s championship. Kick off has been put at 1:00 pm.

Tanzania Mainland just have too much quality; and class leaders, too. No one is more battle hardened than the TP Mazembe striking pair of Mbwana Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu.

They have been a mainstay in their Democratic Republic of Congo, Lubumbashi-based club, recent two-time Africa Champions League winners and perennial campaigners in Africa.

Kilimanjaro Stars did not have to call up these two but it just goes to show how serious Tanzania are to regain the Challenge Cup they last won at home in 2011. Another striker, the speedster Mrisho Ngassa, has also been at his best tormenting defence lines.

Then they have confidence of players such as their captain Kevin Yondani  marshalling the backs and masters in the middle of the park Athman “Chuji” Iddi, Salum “Sure Boy” Abubakar, Amri Kiemba and Ramadhan “Messi” Singano.

Indeed, Kim Poulsen brought the biggest possible guns from Tanzania football. It has been evident in all their matches and most during their quarter final tie in Mombasa where they eliminated defending champions Uganda.

Unlike in the past when Uganda, under Bobby Williamson, brought even their overseas players to contest and win the Challenge Cup, this time around the Cranes were out of depth, with their team comprising domestic league players eligible for the African Nations Championship [CHAN] next year.

Uganda would have been struggling even more had they not had two foreign-based players, striker Danny Sserunkuma of Kenyan club Gor Mahia and Khalid Aucho of Tusker.

Its long without meeting

Harambee Stars are at their possible strongest but they are clearly short on play-makers who can take the game by the scruff of its neck when the going gets tough.

Kenya can depend on old war horses at the back led by James Situma and Joackins Atudo to protect another veteran Duncan Ochieng’ in goal from the marauding Tanzania forwards. However, it is in the pursuit of goals that the Kenyans lack many choices.

Allan Wanga, therefore, the skipper and most experienced man in attack, must be more productive than he normally is when on duty for the national team especially when his usual partner Jacon Kelli is out of the game.

Because of a strange strike of the draw, Harambee Stars and Kilimanjaro Stars have rarely met in the Challenge Cup and their last memorable clash was in the Final of 2002 when a Kenya team of rookies upset the Tanzanian Stars on a 3-2 win in Mwanza.

In Mombasa, another thriller should entertain Coast fans when the quality Zambians, recent African champions, take on a classic Sudanese team that looks pretty good at 4:00pm.

Hard Luck for Uganda Cranes

The Uganda Cranes bowed out of this year’s GO-TV CECAFA Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon on a 3-2 spot kick loss following a 2-all draw in the normal time but left the coastal town of Mombasa with a reason to smile.

It was such a painful early exit for the defending champions but technically the country returned home with a hope for a bright future. The biggest achievement of the Cranes’ Serbian born coach Sredejovic ‘Milutin’ Micho in this tournament was the discovery of new potential talents that will be of great use to Uganda in the subsequent competitions.

Tusker’s Khalid Awucho

Khalid Aucho playing for Tusker FC in the Kenyan Premier League was the biggest catch as he featured for the national team. Aucho is a solid confident midfielder on the pitch and his role in this team was obviously timely and instrumental. Despite being his first time, the player featured in all the four games played and played to the last whistle.

Aucho was not only a composed midfielder but an attack-minded player and he made several contributions in most build-ups that resulted into some of the Cranes goals. He scored a crucial goal against Sudan that took Uganda on top of group ‘C’ table. The two teams had tied at four points with same number of goals scored and conceded.

Hopefully, Aucho will be given a chance to continue proving himself in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

Classic Benjamin Ochan

Victoria University goal keeper Benjamin Ochan had an impressive performance and his presence on this squad helped him acquire more confidence and experience at the international scene.

He conceded no goal throughout the group stages as Uganda edged Rwanda 1-0 in their opening fixture, Eritrea 3-0 and Sudan 1-0. On the fateful day, Ochan also saved Samata Mbwana’s penalty before Uganda lost to Tanzania on spot kicks.

If given more exposure, there is no doubt that Ochan will make it into the National ‘A’ team.

Confident Joseph Mpuga

Joseph Mpuga was making his first appearance on the Cranes squad and travelled to Nairobi as a substitute behind Savio Kabugo. His luck however came when Kabugo had a malaria attack just minutes before their engagement against Sudan. Micho immediately handed him a chance which he utilized perfectly.

Mpuga commanded the defense with confidence stopping the Sudanese dangerous strikers like Salah Ibrahim and Mohammed Tahir. Salah scored against Rwanda, Eritrea and Ethiopia but had no way through the Ugandan solid defense.

In the quarter final match against Tanzania, Mpuga was a starter and netted Uganda’s equalizer to level it at 2-2.His height and brilliance on ball is his big strength that can earn him more calls if keeps focused.

Welcome back Uganda Cranes but let’s keep focused towards CHAN competitions due in South Africa in January next year.

In what is widely seen as a great relief to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) the hosts of this year’s CECAFA Challenge Cup, the Kenyan government has pledged to settle all the outstanding accommodation and air ticket bills related to this tournament.

“This is to inform you that we have received the request from FKF to assist in settling these bills. We undertake to do the same immediately we identify funds within our books” reads part of the letter from the Kenyan Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts. The letter dated December 6^th is signed by the Principal Secretary Mr. Patrick Omutia.

FKF contracted Liberty Group to facilitate the logistical needs of the tournament but the relationship between the two bodies had started going sour over none payment. Some teams had already fallen victims of the circumstances by denying them entry into hotels until the payment of the outstanding bills.

But with the new trend, the Kenyan government has strongly warned that all the participating teams should not be inconvenienced again for such non-payment. The letter, a copy of which has been hand delivered to CECAFA by the FKF President Mr. Sam Nyamweya is addressed to the Managing Director of Liberty Group.

“It’s a big achievement and I commend the government for its kind hand”, said a visibly excited Nyamweya as he handed over the letter.

The Kenyan government will pay KShs. 41,386,026 in total. Of this, KShs. 8,643,026 goes towards air tickets and the balance will cover accommodation costs in six hotels of West Breeze (1,836,000), Strand (3,672,000), Mvuli (2,808,000), Hill Park (14,145,600), Sandton (2,937,400) and Milele (7,344,000).

Travel schedules to Mombasa

This year’ CECAFA Challenge Cup quarter finalists will be travelling to the East Africa’s biggest Coastal town Mombasa where the knock out stage matches will be hel. Uganda Cranes and Amavubi of Rwanda will be on the same flight to this Friday at 4:00pm.

Kirimanjaro stars of Tanzania mainland will be the first guests to arrive at the coastal city at 1:45pm while hosts Harambee stars leave Kenyatta International Airport at 5:30pm. CECAFA officials are expected there early Saturday morning.

According to the tournament CEO, Gerald Chege all flights are booked on Kenya Airways and the travel arrangements for teams playing on Sunday will be released later in the day.

Its Uganda vs Tanzania first

Defending Champions Uganda Cranes will be taking on Kirimanjaro Stars in the first quarter finals on Saturday before hosts Kenya’s Harambee Stars meet Amavubi of Rwanda later in the day.

Rwanda, the worst group stage performer among the eight quarter finalists qualified as the best loser 2 after edging lowly ranked Eritrea 1-0 at Machakos yesterday.

Khalid Aucho featuring for Kenya’s Tusker FC netted for the Uganda Cranes against Sudan in the early minutes of the second half to separate the two nations that had collected similar results from their first two matches.

Uganda is the only country that qualifies into the quarter finals with a clean sheet. They have scored 5 goals and conceded none throughout the group stages.

Easy route for guests Zambia  

Former African champions Chipolopolo of Zambia are paired against Burundi in a quarter final fixture that many fans regard as being ‘an easy route’ into the semifinals. Both Zambia and Burundi were placed in Group ‘B’ with the guests topping the table and Burundi qualifying as the Best Losers.

Burundi won only one match against Somalia on a 2-0 score but lost 1-0 to both Zambia and Tanzania.

Kisumu doubtful for semis

The CECAFA Challenge Cup organizing committee chairman Arab Said Abidiqaan said his committee was considering looking for an alternative venue for the semifinals following reports from Kisumu that the stadium may not be ready by Tuesday next week.

After the quarter finals, Abdiqaan said his committee woud convene to decide the way forward. Sources however point at having the semifinals played either in Mombasa, Machakos or back at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi City.

Technicians from FIFA were contracted to lay the artificial turf in Kisumu, an exercise they embarked on only a week to the kick off date.

Finals are scheduled for Thursday 12^th December at Nyayo stadium.

Results: S. Sudan (0) Vs. Ethiopia (2), Kenya (2) Vs. Zanzibar (0)

Today: Tanzania Vs Burundi (2:00pm), Somalia Vs Zambia (4:00pm)

 

Uganda will have to beat Sudan on any margin to top group ‘C’ and avoid playing hosts Kenya in this year’s CECAFA senior challenge Cup or else risk the task. The venue for Uganda’s last group stage match however remains undecided till today afternoon.

Kenya is Uganda’s main football rivalry in the region and if the two nations meet in the quarterfinals scheduled for Mombasa, it will be real fireworks!

Both Ugandan tactician Sredojevic ‘Micho’ Milutin and his Belgian counterpart Adel Amrouche are not bothered with the knockout stage pairings but the fans here do not wish the two countries to meet this early.  “It will be too bad for us [Kenya] to meet Uganda. I pray it doesn’t happen till finals”, said Zubery Olobo, a Kenyan resident of Nakuru County.

Uganda and Sudan are joint top leaders of Group ‘C’ with six points each from the two matches played. The two teams have also scored and conceded the same number of goals. They both edged Rwanda 1-0 and beat Eritrea 3-0. Their last group stage fixture will only be a fight for the top place but both nations have already made it into the quarter finals.

 

South Sudan back home

South Sudan, the newest members of CECAFA wound up their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Ethiopia at Nakuru stadium. They however left happy after scoring two goals against Zanzibar and Kenya. They conceded seven following a 2-1 loss to Zanzibar, 3-1 to Kenya and 2-0 to Ethiopia. Their Congolese Coach Bandua Ismael said he was leaving Kenya happy despite bowing out at preliminary stage. “Scoring against longtime members of CECAFA and losing on slim margins gives us hope for a bright future…we return home happy”, Bandua said.

 

Tossed coin for Ethiopia-Kenya tie

CECAFA Central organizing committee is left with no option but to toss a coin to separate Kenya and Ethiopia after the two nations emerged joint table leaders of Group ‘B’ with seven points and a 4-goal difference. The coin will be tossed on Friday to determine who takes the first and second position.

CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye said the tournament rules provided for this and that there was no better option than this. The winners in this group play the best loser 1 and the runners-up meet the leaders of Group ‘C’.

 

Winless Rwanda in action

Rwanda returns to action today (Wednesday) against Eritrea in a fight that must see Rwanda win this game or else become the first giant member country to be shown exit this year.

The Amavubi lost their first two games to Uganda and Sudan on a 1-0 margin. Any result short of a win will automatically throw the Rwandese out of contention for the slots of the two best losers.

Zanzibar (3pts) and Burundi (3pts) are the other two countries eyeing the same slots if Tanzania wins on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Eritrean missing players named

Like on Monday, Eritrea returns to action today without two of their players who went missing last week. Sources have identified the missing players as Isaac Tesfay and Meaweya Omar.

The Eritrea win over Rwanda will only be a spoiler unless it’s by 5-un answered goals to reduce their goal average to -1 and qualify together with Burundi or Zanzibar as best losers depending on the outcomes from the Tanzania-Burundi match

 

 

Results:

Sudan (1) Vs. Rwanda (0)

Eritrea (0) Vs. Uganda (3)

CRANES Cecafa team Captain Emmanuel Okwi struck twice and Hamis Kiiza netted a brilliant penalty as Uganda walloped Eritrea 3-0 to storm the quarter finals of this year’s challenge Cup here at City stadium in Nairobi.

Gor-Mahia striker Daniel Sserunkuma had a hand in all the three goals and was voted the man of the match by the CECAFA Technical committee. Sserunkuuma was in a brilliant form.

Sserunkuma turns out for the city’s popular club, Gor Mahia, for whom he scored important goals on their way to the Kenyan Premier League title in the season ended on November 10.

Earlier at the same artificial turf of the City Stadium, Sudan had an important 1-0 victory over Rwanda which left the Amavubi Stars, champions of 1999, on the brink of elimination. Rwanda will now have to beat Eritrea with more than three unanswered goals to enter the  mathematical qualification into the knock out stage.

Goalless second half

Uganda Cranes were all over the Red Sea Camels in the first half, forwards Danny Sserunkuma and Emmanuel Okwi the Cranes skipper most rampant.

Starting his first game after recovering from malaria, Okwi opened the scoring after just nine minutes, tapping in a low cross from the enterprising Sserunkuma who had beaten his man on the right before passing beyond Eritrea goalkeeper Abdulahi Abdurahman.

Sserunkuma was at it again, racing onto a long ball from inside his half only to be pushed by  Eritrean defender Surafel Tesfamicael in the box. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Hamisi Kiiza duly converted from six yards on 19 minutes for his first goal of the tournament; 2-0 Uganda.

Okwi made it a double for himself in the 38th minute, tapping in yet another inviting low cross from Man-of-the-Match Sserunkuma, who had run the distance after intercepting a ball from the halfway line.

In the second half Sserunkuma was often on the dribble and spraying passes and the manner in which the Cranes could not make all that count was amazing. It will surely be of concern to their Serbian Miluton “Micho” Sredojevic. The second half ended goalless but with Eritrea displaying a better show than in the first half.

Another 1-0 loss for Rwanda

Forward Salah Ibrahim scored a cracker to aid his team beat Rwanda 1- 0 also at the City Stadium.

The goal, netted on the half hour mark had all the writings of a sucker punch as Rwanda failed to capitalise on their dominant possession.

Salah disposed Ishmael Nshutiyamagara in the middle with the last man having no cover. The lanky striker took just one touch before spotting the ‘keeper off his line and fired Sudan ahead with a long range shot that gave Jean Luc Ndayishimiye no chance.

Before that Rwanda had twice survived. In the seventh minute their ‘keeper was alert enough to tip round Hamid Nazar’s acrobatic shot from six yards out. Then the cross bar saved them from a 20^th minute concession when Mohannad Tahir latched on to a long ball in the box but his shot bounced off the bar with the defence grounded.

Meddie Kagere  went close for the Rwandans in the 21^st minute with a header off Ngirinshuti Mwemere’s cross but the Sudanese ‘keeper Abdelrahman Ali punched it clear for a corner.

In the second half, Rwanda resumed the more purposeful of the two sides and had a moment of protest in the 47th minute. A free kick delivered by Emery Bayisenge seemed to have crossed the line before Abdelrahman Ali’s intervention to punch the ball out. Referee Davies Omweno would hear none of their protests.

Sudan survived another scare in the 72nd minute when poor goalkeeping almost gifted Rwanda an easy goal but Abdelrahman recovered to save the situation as his team held on to a second win in as many matches. It sees them proceed to the quarterfinals while Rwanda have a very limited chance of making it to the second round as they have no point from two games.

Today and tomorrow’s fixtures have been moved to Nakuru and action return in Nairobi on Thursday when Uganda takes on Sudan in a match that will be a fight for the top place. Both teams have already qualified for the next stage with equal points and goals.

 

CECAFA SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP 2013

27^THNOVEMBER –12^TH DECEMBER – KENYA

Team Fixture List

GROUP A                                               GROUP B                                                           GROUP C

KENYA                                                     TANZANIA                                                    UGANDA

ETHIOPIA                                                 ZAMBIA                                                         RWANDA

ZANZIBAR                                               BURUNDI                                                       SUDAN

S.SUDAN                                                 SOMALIA                                                         ERITREA

(QUALIFICATION: FIRST TWO IN EACH GROUP AND BEST TWO LOSERS QUALIFY TO QUARTER FINALS)

DATE	NO.	TEAMS	GROUP	VENUE	TIME
Wed. 27thNov. 2013	1	Zanzibar (2) Vs. S. Sudan (1)	A	NYAYO	2.00PM
	2	Kenya (0) Vs. Ethiopia (0)	A	NYAYO	4.30PM
Thur.28thNov. 2013	3	Burundi (2) VS Somalia (0)	B	MACHAKOS	2.00PM
	4	Tanzania (1) VS Zambia (1)	B	MACHAKOS	4.00PM
Fri.29thNov. 2013	5	Sudan (3) Vs. Eritrea (0)	C	MACHAKOS	2.00PM
	6	Uganda (1) Vs. Rwanda (0)	C	MACHAKOS	4.00PM
Sat.30th Nov. 2013	7	Ethiopia (3) Vs. Zanzibar (1)	A	NYAYO	2.00PM
	8	S.Sudan (1) Vs. Kenya (3)	A	NYAYO	4.00PM
Sun. 1st.Dec. 2013	9	Somalia (0) Vs. Tanzania (1)	B	NYAYO	2.00PM
	10	Zambia  (1) Vs. Burundi (0)	B	NYAYO	4.00PM
Mon.2nd Dec. 2013	11	Sudan  Vs. Rwanda	C	CITY STADIUM	2.00PM
	12	Eritrea Vs. Uganda	C	CITY STADIUM	4.00PM
Tue. 3rdDec. 2013	13	S.Sudan  Vs. Ethiopia	A	NAKURU	2.00 PM
	14	Kenya  Vs. Zanzibar	A	NAKURU	4.00PM
Wed. 4thDec. 2013	15	Tanzania Vs.   Burundi	B	NAKURU	2.OOPM
	16	Somalia   Vs. Zambia	B	NAKURU	4.00PM
Thur5thDec. 2013	17	Rwanda Vs.   Eritrea	C	TBD	2.00PM
	18	Uganda VS    Sudan	C	TBD	400PM
Fri.6thDec. 2013		REST DAY
		QUARTER FINALS
Sat  7th Dec 2013	19	C1   VS  B2		MOMBASA
	20	A1    VS Best Q2		MOMBASA
Sun. 8th Dec  2013	21	B1   VS   Best Q1		MOMBASA
	22	A2   VS  C2		MOMBASA
Mon. 9thDec 2013		REST DAY
Tue 10th.Dec 2013		SEMI FINALS
	23	Winner 19  VS Winner 20		KISUMU
	24	Winner 21  VS  Winner 22		KISUMU
Wed .11 th Dec.2013		REST DAY
Thurs.12th Dec .2013	25 26	Loser 23 VS Loser 24 FINALS WIN 23  VS WIN 24		NYAYO	2.00PM 4.00PM

 

NB:  REVISED FIXTURES AS PER SUNDAY 01/12/2013

Results: Somalia (0) Vs Tanzania (1), Zambia (1) Vs Burundi (1)

Today: Sudan Vs Rwanda (2:00pm), Eritrea Vs Uganda (4:00pm)

THE Uganda Cranes will now have to play their second group stage match against Eritrea from the City stadium in Nairobi and not Machakos as earlier planned. This will be the second group stage game for the defending champions in Nairobi.

The CECAFA Technical committee dispatched off this Sunday afternoon to assess the situation at Jomo Kenyatta stadium, Machakos County returned with confirmed reports to have the matched moved to another stadium due to excessive rains.

CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye called an abrupt press conference to announce the changes. “The ground in Machakos is soggy and we cannot automatically have the matches there tomorrow” said Musonye adding that the delegation arrived and left when it was even still raining.

“We apologize to our team officials for these abrupt changes but we were left with no option….we have no control over rain. The two Monday matches will now be played at the City ground in Nairobi”, Musonye told the press conference comprising both local and international journalists.

Uganda will play their match against Eritrea at 4:00pm but the venue for their last group stage match is to be decided later according to the revised fixtures. The Tuesday and Wednesday matches have also been shifted to Nakuru in order to give both Nyayo and Jomo Kenyatta stadium a breather.

Meanwhile Tanzania mainland edged stubborn Somalia 1-0 in a match that had the Somalis playing their best game in the recent past of this event. Former Africa champions Chipolopolo were also put to task to show cause for victory by the Burundians until their late score to end the game 1-0 in their favour.

Two Eritrea players vanish

The CECAFA senior challenge cup central organizing committee sitting at Nyayo Stadium has this Sunday morning been briefed of the mysterious disappearance of two Eritrean players from their camp here in Nairobi.

Federation Kenya Football (FKF) National Executive Committee member Elly Mukolwe made the revelations before the committee chaired by Abdiqaan Said (Somalia) and attended by the CECFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye.

The two players whose detailed identities are yet to be named reportedly went missing after their evening training session on Saturday.

This is the fifth year in a row such incidents happen with the same players. A dozen Eritrean players disappeared from their residential hotel in Kampala last year. The current matter has been handed over to the relevant security agencies.

4 matches moved to Nakuru

Four matches that had earlier been scheduled for Nyayo stadium between Wednesday Dec.4^th and Thursday Dec. 5^th have been moved to Afraha stadium in Nakuru.

Musonye said the teams that will have advanced to the knock out stage from Nakuru will be airlifted directly to Mombasa, a designated venue for the quarter finals. The semifinalists will thereafter be flown to Kisumu and back to Nairobi where the finals will be hosted.

Coach Amourache returns

The Kenya head coach Adel Amrouche reappeared on the Harambee Stars bench after missing the first match.

It is now known he has many grievances with the Football Kenya Federation [FKF],  including non-payment of his salary for months, and a row with a federation official who he claims interferes with the selection of his squads.

There were changes in the Harambee Stars line-up from their last match with Ethiopia. David Gateri, Edwin Lavatsa and injured Musa Mohammed started on the bench and in came Wafula, Keli and veteran James Situma as starters. There was also a debut appearance for David King’atua on the 90th minute [for Wafula].

On the day, captain Francis Kahata and Allan Wanga missed several clear-cut chances. Wanga thrice had only the Southern Sudan ‘keeper, Juma Jinaro, to beat but just could not get his shot out before he was substituted in the 52nd minute.

Kenya thumped South Sudan 3-1 on Saturday to earn themselves a first win after Ethiopia had drubbed Zanzibar on the same margin in the high scoring group ‘A’ fixtures of the Cecafa Challenge Cup tournament here at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

The Harambee Stars’ Belgian head Coach Adel Amrouche who had earlier gone on strike due to lack of pay returned and was in charge of the game. He was however lip tight when asked to comment on his absence as his side played Ethiopia in an official opening match. “Let’s talk about the current and forget the past….I am set for the game today”, is all what Amrouche said just hours before kickoff.

Zambia hit by injuries

It was a day with many goals to celebrate paving way for Sunday crucial matches between Somalia and Tanzania Mainland (2pm) and Zambia against Burundi at 4pm.

Guest team, Zambia, recent Africa champions from who a lot is expected, reported they had been hit by injuries ahead of what they termed as difficult match against Burundi.

Jimmy Chisenga, Felix Katongo and Kondwani Mtonga all picked up injuries during Chipolopolo’s 1-1 draw against Tanzania on Thursday, a match played at a wet Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Zambia team doctor Joseph Kabungo said that Chisenga was a doubt for Sunday. “We have worrying injuries; Chisenga has a sprain on the left ankle, Katongo has a strain in the left calf while Kondwani has a contusion in the left quadriceps,” the doctor said.

“We have more doubts on Jimmy [Chisenga] than anyone else and hope that he will have a fast recovery. The other guys have better chances of inclusion in the squad.”

Burundi, who beat Somalia 2-0, are leading Group ‘B’ on three points, two more than Chipolopolo and Tanzania, who have a point each. Chipolopolo must beat Burundi to stand a chance of finishing top of the group ahead of their final Group ‘B’ match against Somalia on Wednesday.

Kenya 3-1 South Sudan

Harambee Stars’ Jacob Keli and Noah Wafula had a great day on earning their first full international caps; Wafula supplying the ball that Keli scored for Kenya’s second goal.

Joakins Atudo had scored the first for the hosts through a penalty kick that was cancelled by a free kick converted by South Sudan captain Richard Lado. Defender David Owino scored the third goal to ensure a comfortable win for Kenya.

The result saw Kenya go joint top of Group ‘B’ with Ethiopia on same points, goal difference and head-to-head record.

Both sides have four points while Zanzibar, who beat South Sudan 2-1, on the opening day have three.

Final pool match in Machakos

Kenya plays Zanzibar in the final game in Machakos on Tuesday and assistant coach James Nandwa hopes the result will favour the Stars.

“We are all happy with the result. We have shown tremendous improvement from our first game and we look forward to the next game,” he said.

Desperate for victory

Coming into the match, Harambee Stars were desperate for a win after their barren draw from their first fixture.

It was Keli who had the first chance at goal but his effort was stopped by Jinaro. Then a good play between Wanga and Wafula allowed the latter to send in a perfect cross from the right flank. Wafula’s effort was blocked in the 11th minute and one minute later, the home team got their first corner of the match as they kept up the pressure.

The Stars showed a lot of urgency for goals as Wanga combined with Kahata, allowing the latter to have a shot at goal but this was blocked by the ‘keeper for Kenya’s third corner.

In the 16th minute, Kenya were awarded a penalty after a South Sudanese defender handled in his box and Atudo made no mistake, scoring from the spot.

Delayed with goalie beaten

Four minutes after the goal, Wanga should have added a second but he delayed to pull the trigger after rounding the ‘keeper.

But after this South Sudan gained confidence and looked dangerous as they made a go at the Kenyan defenders forcing them to make blunders.

After the Atundo penalty, the visitors responded through skipper Richard Justin’s stunning free kick that dipped over the wall and dropped just inside Duncan Ochieng’s bottom right corner for 1-1.

But the South Sudan joy was short-lived. Three minutes later, man of the match Keli met the industrious Wafula’s cross at the back post with a thumping header to restore Kenya’s lead.

Good performance

Kenya should have scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half, with Kahata first being denied by Jinaro after a neat lay off from Keli and then Keli himself smacking his header against the crossbar from a Wanga’s delivery.

After the break, Kenya resumed from where they left off. In the 51st minute Kahata put through Wanga but the striker was foiled by Jinaro after he attempted to round the goalie on a one-on-one situation.

Moments later, Keli headed Kahata’s delivery over the top before the former won another penalty in the 69th minute when he was hacked down inside the box by Jinaro.

Again up stepped Atudo but his low effort was turned round the post by Jinaro. At that point, Kenyan strikers seemed to have run short of ideas of nailing the Sudanese team.

Held off his man

But ten minutes from time centre half David Owino popped up at the end of a search ball on the right flank and did extremely well to hold off his man before toe poking the ball underneath Jinaro for Kenya’s third goal.

There was concerns, however, when Keli limped off towards the end of the match with what looked like a ankle injury. Kenya will play Zanzibar in their final group match.

Ethiopia 3-1 Zanzibar

This early kick-off match was a thriller as action swung from end to end.

It did not take long before Ethiopia opened their goal account when industrious captain Asfan Fasikja slotted home from close range in the fourth minute — the tournament’s fastest goal so far.

Seven minutes before the break Salahadin  Bargicho stepped up  to  convert  from  the spot after prowling winger Manaye Fantu was upended in the box by Zanzibar’s defender Saleh Ahmed.

Leading 2-0 at the break, the Walia Antelopes stuck to their game plan of launching their attacks from the wings.

Over the bar

Fantu, playing wide on the right was a constant thorn in the flesh of his Zanzibar markers. At the quarter hour mark, Fasikja and Fantu combined again but Fasikja headed the final ball over the top.

Towards the end of the first half, Zanzibar created a couple of chances which they, however, failed to convert.

The second half was a different tale with Zanzibar taking the game to Ethiopia. They were duly rewarded in the 68th minute when captain Awadh Issa Juma met a right wing cross with a diving header.

There were loud penalty shouts from the islanders three minutes later when Sabri Makame tumbled inside the box but the centre referee ignored their appeals.

Regret the wastefulness

They almost vindicated themselves from the resultant corner but Awadh Issa scooped Makame’s cut back over the crossbar.

They would live to rue their wastefulness in the 80th minute when Asfan picked out Yonatan Kabede whose initial header came off the upright but his second attempt beat Zanzibar goalkeeper Abdallah Rashid for 3-1.