FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Category: Uganda Cranes

  • FUFA’s letter of appreciation to USPA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    WE GO, WE GO, UGANDA CRANES WE GO!

  • FUFA rewads Cranes with UGX 70m for dumping Congo

    Ugandan FA has rewarded the victorious Cranes team with a cash bonus of 70 million shillings (About US $ 30.000) for dumping Congo Brazzaville from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday.

    The Federation President Lawrence Mulindwa handed over the money to the team captain Andy Mwesigwa from Sojovaro Hotel in Mengo on Sunday afternoon.  The players together with the technical staff were later hosted to a congratulatory luncheon organised by the federation.

    Mulindwa lashed out at critics who accuse him of spending a lot of money on players’ bonuses saying that ‘the boys have to be rewarded for their sweat’. Days to the Cranes; game against Senegal, FUFA cashed the players with 30m as motivation before adding them 40 more millions after the 1-all draw. A total of Shs.140m has so far been spent on bonuses alone. (The figures exclude daily allowances and other costs).

    Each of the 18 players who featured against Congo received Shs.2.500.000. Mulindwa pledged more financial rewards towards the players whenever they produce results. He hailed the fans for showing up in big numbers at Namboole and praised his technical bench headed by Bobby Williamson for guiding the team to a convincing 4-0 victory over Congo.

    The function was attended by Kimuli Anthony and Livingstone Kyambadde the Vice Presidents in charge of Finance and Technical matters respectively. The Federation CEO Edgar Watson was also present at the function.

  • Flying Cranes dump visiting Congo

    The Uganda Cranes entered the pitch on Saturday afternoon with a task to score two unanswered goals against Congo in order to storm the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifiers but proved more determined when they doubled the score to end the game 4-0!

    Team Captain Andy Mwesigwa headed the opener in the first half before Godfrey Walusimbi converted a penalty in the early minutes of the second half. Geoffrey Massa went down in history when he took a heavy shot from the right flank that left the goal net torn. Emmanuel Okwi wound up the mission with a fourth goal that saw the Congolese technical bench filled in tears.

    Cranes had lost 3-1 in Brazzaville in February.  Uganda will now wait to play two home and away matches against one of the 16 Nations that played in the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

  • Mutumba off, Speaks out

    Martin Mutumba (Left) in a training with teamates

    Cranes midfielder and AIK FC utility player Martin Kayongo Mutumba returned home this Wednesday morning for treatment following an injury he sustained during the Senegal game five days ago.

    Mutumba left aboard British Airways to London where he was due to connect to Stockholm City. Before leaving camp, Mutumba got encouraging words from his Coach Bobby Williamson. “He is a good coach and he has encouraged me to continue with light trainings as I undergo treatment. He will continue monitoring my performance”, said Mutumba before he left Entebbe.

    Commenting on the recent negative local press coverage about him, Mutumba down played it and instead promised to prove his critics wrong in the near future. “I wouldn’t be playing in AIK if I wasn’t a good player. I played well in Angola but Namboole wasn’t my day. I chose to play for Uganda and I shall be here again to prove my worth” he emphasized.

    Mutumba further added, “The same press will praise me when I do well. I don’t mind about what they write because the challenge is mine to prove my ability”.

    “To all my fans I only say that patience pays. They shouldn’t lose heart but I pray for Uganda to advance to the next level so that I have a chance to feature for the Cranes in September”, said Mutumba who sounded confident of earning his team better results in future.

  • Mutumba ruled out of Congo game

    Cranes midfielder Martin Kayongo Mutumba will return to Stockholm, Sweden for treatment following an injury he picked during the Uganda- Senegal game played last Saturday in Namboole.

    Mutumba suffered a muscle strain that has now ruled him out of the Saturday crash against Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match.

    Coach Bobby Williamson however believes that Mutumba will still be a useful player when he recovers.  FUFA is already working on his ticket and he is expected to travel by the British Airlines Wednesday morning.

    Mutumba who played his first game for the Cranes on Saturday turns out for AIK FC a Swedish premier League club as one of its star players.

    Meanwhile Captain Andy Mwesigwa who also sustained an injury is struggling to recover but remains doubtful for the weekend game. His final status will be confirmed later in the week.

     

     

  • We faced a good side-Bobby

    After the 1-1 draw between Uganda Cranes and Senegal, Coach Bobby Williamso and Senegal’s Marie Loto spoke to the CAF Online news journalist and below were their responses:

    Cafonline.com:  What is your take on the match?

    Bobby: This was as we expected a very tactical game, these Senegalese players are top class. They are a very good football side also. But we don’t like losing at home so we kept going on and finally rewarded.

    Cafonline.com:  Your team looked jaded and passes were going astray in the first half what was happening?

    Bobby: I think we must give respect to  the opposition, look at their defenders and compare to our strikers. They are big, strong and athletic and played their part and they worked hard to stop us getting into our stride. But I am very proud of the players and hope the fans also do the same.

    Cafonline.com:  The team’s fortunes seem to have changed when you made substitutes?

    Bobby: As I have said in the past we have depth and those who came in would have been good enough to start. I always want to get fresh legs on the pitch and this time round I did that.  They troubled the opposition and Massa (Geofrey) earned a penalty.

     

     We were the better team- Senegal coach – Marie Loto

    Cafonline.com:  What have you to say about the match which your team nearly lost

     Loto: Everybody in the stadium saw Senegal was the better side and we should have won. We came here to win and we were winning until the penalty. But a point for us away is not bad we still have another match in Dakar.

    Cafonline.com:  You speak as though you know what the outcome will be in Dakar?

    Loto: No, No only God  knows what will happen in Dakar. Our job is to play football and thats what we came out to do here. We had better players and better team as well. That is why am confident we shall do well in Dakar.

    Cafonline.com:  Don’t you think you wasted a lot of chances which would have put the team in a strong position?

     

    Loto: Yes it is always good to take your chances and put some distance between you and the opposition but give opposition (Uganda Cranes) credit for coming back in the game. But there is still a lot of work to be done still.

     

     

     

  • FUFA, Namboole reach consesus

    Consesus reached and Namboole stadium will now host the Saturday World Cup Match against Senegal

    The Federation of Uganda Football Associations and the management of Mandela National Stadium have this evening reached a consensus to host the Cranes World Cup fixture against Senegal on Saturday.

    The two parties reached an agreement in a meeting held at Namboole this evening. FUFA will now have to part with 45m UGX to hire the facility from the stadium management. Namboole had earlier asked for 84m UGX but later revised upwards to 97m UGX before the evening meeting between the two parties.

    The public is hereby assured that the match will now go on and that the tickets will now be on market starting Thursday morning.

    FUFA would like to appreciate the spirit exhibited by the Namboole stadium management in the meeting today and all individuals that have been of importance in our negotiations.

    The joint efforts have seen football emerging winners of these negotiations and not individuals, FUFA or Nambool

  • Determined Cranes returns Tuesday

    Denis Onyango and the rest of the players return to Kampala on Tuesday evening

    Determined Uganda Cranes team returns to Kampala on Tuesday evening and will resume training the following morning.

    The players that forced Angola to a 1-all draw are expected to touch Entebbe International Airport at 07:05 pm.

    Meanwhile the thirteen players who remained in Kampala resume training this morning at Namboole stadium under the captaincy of Geoffrey Massa.

    Assistant Coach Leo Adra will be in control of the team as he awaits the arrival of his senior, Bobby Williamson to take charge on Wednesday morning. There will be no time to rest for both the officials and the players but be driven direct to camp on arrival at the airport.

    The players in camp include Geoffrey Massa, Brian Umony, Isaac Isinde, Mudde Musa, Sula Matovu, Ochaya Joseph, Abel Dhaira, Edward Ssali, Joseph Owino, Yasin Mugabi, Ali Kimera, Robert Ssentongo and Ceaser Okhuti.

  • Cranes Coach Bobby Hails his players

    Cranes Head Coach Bobby Williamson has hailed his side for the result from Angola
    Cranes player Martin Mutumba in action i Angola

    Cranes Head Coach Bobby Williamson has hailed his side for being ‘determined on duty’, an effort that earned Uganda a vital point in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers group opening fixture against Angola away in Luanda on Sunday.

    “The boys were focused and showed determination on duty. The point did not come by chance but as a result of hard work and team spirit” said a Scot tactician. Simba Sports Club player (Tanzania) Emmanuel Okwi netted an equalizer in the dying minutes of the second half to throw the game into a 1-all draw.

    Bobby however added, “It is not yet time to celebrate but keep working harder and correcting our mistakes”. Uganda hosts Senegal in the next encounter on Saturday in Mandela National Stadium-Namboole.

    This was the 5th time Uganda and Angola were meeting since 2008 with Uganda losing no game at home (3-1, 3-0) and registering a second draw (0-0, 1-1) away in Luanda. Angola has only beaten Uganda once on September 4 last year when they won 2-0 at home.

    Emmanuel Okwi becomes the first Cranes player to score a goal against Angola National side away in Luanda in the last 17 years. Uganda’s last goal had been scored by Robert Kizito in 1996. The Sunday result is a big boost for Uganda a head of their two back to back home games against Senegal (World Cup) and Congo (Afcon Qualifiers) on June 9th and 16th respectively.

  • Classic Cranes forces Angola into a draw

    Emmanuel Okwi scored Uganda's crucial away goal in Luanda on Sunday

    Emmanuel Okwi scored a crucial second half equalizer for the Uganda Cranes against hosts Angola in Luanda Sunday evening to earn Uganda a vital point in their first World Cup Qualifiers match. The game ended 1-1.

    Okwi also becomes the first Cranes player to score a goal against Angola National team away in Luanda within the past 17 years. Uganda’s last away goal in Angola had been scored by Robert Kizito in 1996.

    Like Uganda, Ethiopia was the other Cecafa Region Member country that picked a crucial point away from home. Ethiopia played South Africa to a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg City. Tanzania lost 2-0 in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Neighbours Kenya were held to a goalless draw by visiting Malawi while Sudan edged 2012 Afcon Champions Zambia 2-0 in Khartoum.

    Full Results on the Continent:

     Angola 1 Uganda 1

    Nigeria 1 Namibia 0

    Benin 1 Mali 0

    South Africa 1 Ethiopia 1

    Zimbabwe 0 Guinea 1

    Burkina Faso 0 Congo 0

    Senegal 3 Liberia 1

    Sudan 2 Zambia 0

    Tunisia 3 Equatorial Guinea 1

    Cote D’Ivoire 2 Tanzania 0

    Kenya 0 Malawi 0

    Ghana 7 Lesotho 0

    Gambia 1 Morocco 1

    Egypt 2 Mozambique 0

    Cameroon 1 DR Congo 0

    Central African Republic 2 Botswana 0

  • Determined Cranes lands safely in Luanda

    Fabian Kizito

    The Cranes team touched Angola at 10:15am (about 12:15 local time) with all the players and officials aboard the Kenya Airways reportedly in good health.

    Leader of delegation Sam Mpima was at the airport to receive them. The team was later driven to Mana-Lu Hotel where they were officially booked.

    This is the third time the Cranes team is playing Angola in Luanda since 2008. Four of the players who include Captain Andrew Mwesigwa, Mike Sserumaga, Dan Wagaluka and Masaba Simeon have played against the hosts in all matches.

    The same players plus Johnson Bagoole were however part of the team that forced a crucial goalless draw in Luanda on 23rd June 2008 during the World Cup Qualifiers match. Martin Kayongo Mutumba and Fabian Derrick Kizito stepped their first feet on the Angolan soil ready to write history.

    In total, the two nations have met four times in the last four years with Uganda wining twice at home and drawing once away. This puts Uganda in an advantaged position with 7 points and 6 goals from the four matches so far played against the hosts.  On 14th June 2008, the determined Cranes beat Angola 3-1 in Namboole before another humiliating 3-0 defeat on the same ground on 4th September 2010.

    The biggest win Angola has ever registered over Uganda within this period was a 2-0 win on 4th September 2011. Angola trails in this group of two nations with 4 points and only 3 goals from the four matches so far played. Kickoff is 4:00pm (6: pm Ugandan local time) on Sunday.  Who takes the day is all what we wait to see, in our favour!  

    Fabian Kizito is in Angola the first time

  • Facilities ready for Cranes in Angola

    Mpima Samuel is already in Angola to ensure a warm reception to our team

    When the Cranes contingent touches down at Angola International Airport on Friday afternoon they will feel at home with an expected warm welcome from our advanced party already in Luanda.

    Mpima Samuel, the leader of delegation who travelled to Luanda on Monday has confirmed that all was set to receive the team. The team will be accommodated at Mana-Lu Four stars Hotel with all the facilities necessary for the players in place.

    Estadio 22 De Juhno just adjacent the Hotel is the confirmed training ground for the Cranes. Our official on the ground has also taken trouble to discuss the menu details with the Hotel Management to avoid any short comings in feeding.

    Mpima together with the Angola Federation officials will be at the airport hours before the team lands.

    Meanwhile the thirteen remaining players who have not made it to Angola will be maintained in camp until the travelling team returns. Arrangements have been made for them to continue training under the command of the newly appointed assistant Coach Leo Adra in order to keep improving on their fitness levels.

    These include Geoffrey Massa, Brian Umony, Isaac Isinde, Mudde Musa, Sula Matovu, Ochaya, Abel Dhaira, Edward Ssali, Joseph Owino, Yasin Mugabi, Ali Kimera, Robert Ssentongo and Ceaser Okhuti. Bobby said all players were still very useful in this campaign and asked those staying to keep focussed.

  • Cranes Captain Andy Mwesigwa in Camp

    Team Captain Andy Mwesigwa (left) and teamate Martin Kayongo Mutumba in camp

    Cranes team captain Andy Mwesigwa is in the country and currently undergoing training with the rest of the teammates at Mandela National Stadium Namboole this morning.

    Mwesigwa landed in the night and as a ‘Field Commander’ he is focused on giving no chance to the opponents in Luanda on Sunday. Head Coach Bobby Williamson is expected to name his final squad after this training.

    A contingent of 18 players and seven officials will leave Entebbe International Airport Friday morning. Sam Mpima, who headed the federation advance party, is the designated leader of delegation.

    The team will catch up with him in Luanda International Airport, Friday afternoon.

    Meanwhile Tonny Mawejje and Abel Dhaira have also reportedly landed at Entebbe this morning and are expected in camp shortly.

  • Onyango Confident of stopping Angola

    Confident: Denis Onyango

    Cranes first choice custodian Dennis Onyango believes the Cranes must ignore the past failures to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals or the World Cup and focus on the mission at hand.

    “It was painful to us as players and our fans when we failed to qualify last time. We don’t need to continue lamenting but focus on the current campaign, God will answer our players” said a visibly concerned Onyango.

    Onyango has promised to offer his best when granted an opportunity to stand between posts in Luanda on Sunday. There are all signs that Onyango will be Bobby’s first choice in goal and when this happens, the player will fight harder to avoid a humiliation by the Angolans. Last year, the Cranes lost 2-0 to Angola.

    He refuted claims that his irregular appearance for his side in South Africa would affect his performance against the hosts.

    The team flies out of the country Friday morning.

    (Report by Kenneth Muwanga).

     

  • Cranes Captain Andy Mwesigwa jets-in tonight

    Cranes Captain Andy Mwesigwa

    Ordabasy FC player in Kazakhstani Andy Mwesigwa arrives in the country this Tuesday night to assume his administrative responsibility as the ‘field commander’ of the Cranes team.

    The Team Captain will touch Entebbe International Airport at 1:05am just five hours before IBV FC players Tony Mawejje and goal keeper Abel Dhaira land at the same airport aboard Qatar Airlines.

    The Iceland based players have already been booked on Qatar Airlines and will be at Entebbe International Airport around 6:42am tomorrow morning.

    Captain Andy Mwesigwa has proved a good Commander after winning three Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup titles and one Regional Cecafa Club Championship as a captain. His arrival will be a big boast to the team that looks to be well positioned to earn Uganda some results.

    Head Coach Bobby Williamson will now have full board training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday before flying out his final selected squad to Luanda on Friday morning.

    Meanwhile, injured midfielder Musa Mudde is showing good recovery and was able to train with teammates in Mandela National Stadium Namboole today.

    In other developments, goalkeeper Denis Onyango and striker Moses Oloya have joined camp this afternoon.

  • USA based Henry Kalungi in Cranes Camp

    Henry Kalungi and Simeon Masaba in the training

    United States of America (USA) based professional player Henry Kalungi has arrived in the country to beef up the Cranes preparations a head of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualifiers match against Angola.

    Kalungi landed last night and trained with the rest of the team this morning. The Cranes defender looked impressive on his first day.

    Meanwhile South African Based goalkeeper Denis Onyango and Vietnam’s Moses Oloya reportedly touched Entebbe international Airport in the morning and are expected in camp this afternoon.

    The duo may be part of the team to train in Namboole in the afternoon.

     

     

  • Mutumba, Fabian net for Cranes

    Fabian Derrick Kizito and Martin Kayongo Mutumba struck in either half as Cranes’ Head Coach Bobby Williamson closely looked on and supervised a trial match against the National U20 side on Monday afternoon.

    The game was partly organised to help Bobby try out different attacking options ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers game against Angola slated for June 3 in Luanda City.

    Mutumba and Kizito produced a good combination with quality individual positioning that saw each of them netting once. The Cranes third goal was scored by URA’s Robert Ssentongo while Alex Turilaba scored the Hippos consolation goal.

    The second pair had Emma Okwi and Robert Ssentongo coming in and Caesar Okhuti replacing Dan Wagaluka.

    It does not look an easy choice for Bobby to decide the starter between Okwi and Kizito as both players have exhibited quality performance. Okwi has however played more competitive games scoring twice for Simba SC in CAF Champions League matches. Mutumba looked composed and simply knew what to do and where to be at the right time.

    (Story filed by Kenneth Muwanga)

  • Will UG Cranes ‘benefit’ from TZ TShs 170m deal?

    Uganda Cranes are 12 time Cecafa Champions since 1973.

    TANZANIA Football Federation (TFF) will receive Sh170 million (About UG SHS 350m) a year, for five years, from Tanzania Breweries Limited in form of sponsorhip.

    The Tanzania Football Federation has termed the windfall “miraculous” and that it would boost the morale of their football teams in competitive international football.

    When the deal between the TFF and Tanzania Breweries was signed in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, TFF said the money would be spent on “securing friendly games for the Taifa Stars against the best sides within and outside Africa. Sources within Tanzania are pointing at Uganda Cranes as one of the possible international friendly matches being lined up.

    When contacted, TFF President Eng. Leodgar Tenga nearly got close to confirming the allegation but again denied having a list produced yet.  “We are good neighbours and automatically there is something good to learn from Ugandan football. We have no list of countries to play yet but our technical team is working on that” said Tenga who also doubles as the Cecafa regional president.

     

    Leodgar Tenga

    Sources further revealed that this money would also go towards hiring a coach of world-class standard, who will scout for Tanzanian talent wherever it will be.The money would further go towards improving the lot of the international players with improved wages, accommodation, better transport and kit.

    Tanzania have only ever been to the Africa Cup of Nations once — in Nigeria in 1980.