Category: Uganda Cranes

Saturday: Tanzania Vs Sudan (1:30pm), Uganda Vs Rwanda (3:30pm)

The Uganda Cranes will obviously be the major topic in Tanzania this Friday as natives gather to celebrate 50 years of independence. The long awaited celebrations got tainted yesterday when the home team lost 3-1 to a more focused Ugandan side in the last semi final of this year’s Cecafa Tusker challenge cup. Rwanda had earlier dumped Sudan 2-1 in the first semi.

Both semi-finals were classics, Rwanda outpointing Sudan and Uganda, in the end, draining the energy out of Tanzania Mainland to win 3-1 in extra time. Therefore, on Saturday, Uganda will meet Rwanda in the Finals. It will be Rwanda’s fifth Final, their sole title so far having come in the inaugural one at home in 1999 when their “B” side [they had entered two] thrashed Kenya 3-1. Uganda looks for a 12^th title since 1973. Mrisho Ngassa exploited his supreme pace to give Tanzania Mainland the lead after 18 minutes; chasing a long ball into no-man’s land to punish a stranded goalie Abby Dhaira.

Dhaira wanted to play his acrobatic skills by chest-controlling the ball that went   down  through his armpit as he dramatically stretched the hands. Mrisho ran fast behind him to push the ball into the net. Half time ended 1-0 but in the 56 minute, Cranes Captain Andrew Mwesigwa rose up above a bemused defender Shaban Nditi and powerfully headed in a beautiful equalizer from a corner taken by Mike Serumaga.

The 90 minutes ended 1-1 before Uganda, who had been let off the hook on three occasions, ran away with victory, confirmed by a great goal from substitute Emmanuel Okwi and a penalty by Cranes defender Isaac Isinde. Both sides started the game with intent, Ngassa testing the Cranes ‘keeper Dhaira and Hamisi Kiiza giving Juma Kaseja in the Tanzania goal some work when he met Sula Matovu’s cross from the left in opening exchanges. The Matovu-Kiiza combination seem to have worked well in these last two games.

But Tanzania started to take care of proceedings. First Juma Jabu escaped Mwesigwa’s marking with the goalkeeper to beat but shot over. The alarm bells continued ringing for the Uganda defence and the door had to yield to Tanzanian’s early pressure. The 90 minutes couldn’t however produce a winner, just like last year, and extra time had to be called on by the Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema.

Shaban Nditi will rue contributing the miss of the tournament when he inexplicably headed off the line with Dhaira at sea before again firing wide a minute later. Okwi should have punished the Tanzanians on the other end but Kaseja, for the umpteenth time thwarted him. But when Simeon Masaba crossed from the right, Okwi jumped highest in the 102nd minute to head past Kaseja for a 2-1. Isaac Isinde sealed the win with a well taken penalty in the 110^th minute.

In the first semi final, only the veteran ‘captain marvel’ Olivier Karekezi could have forced the decider of this cliff-hanger. His spectacular goal 12 minutes from time knocked the breath out of Sudan. Karekezi controlled the ball, forced himself free from tight double-marking in the six-yard box to beat Sudan goalie Elmoiz Mahgoub from the narrowest of angles at the left near post. Rwanda had taken a first half lead through Jean-Claude Iranzi before Ramadhan Agab equalized in the second half.

 

QUARTER FINALS:

Monday: Burundi Vs Sudan (2pm), Rwanda Vs Zanzibar (4pm)

Tuesday: Uganda Vs Zimbabwe (2pm), Tanzania Vs Malawi (4pm)

Kenya was eliminated from the 2011 Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup, following a dismal performance and a 1-0 defeat by Sudan at the National Stadium here in Dar es salaam city on Saturday afternoon.

Sudan, on the blink of being sent home before the match, played tactfully and the jaded Kenyans had no answer. Later in the afternoon, Harambee Stars would only squeak into the quarter-finals if Tanzania Mainland beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the last Group ‘A’ match. The results however ended 2-1 in favour of Zimbabwe, a guest team in this tournament which finished second behind table leaders Rwanda. This automatically made the tournament organizers book the flight for the Kenyans  back to Nairobi tomorrow morning.

If Tanzania had won 2-0, with Kenya and Zimbabwe on three points each, Harambee Stars with a -1 goal difference would have edged Zimbabwe [-2] as the second of the qualified third placed teams. Zanzibar, third in Group ‘B’ were best losing team with four points while earning their place in the quarter finals. However, Zimbabwe trashed this computation early in the match when Daniel Ngoma scored in the first minute to give Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead.

Then Said Maulid scored in his own goal to give the Zimbabweans a 2-0. Uganda will now have to play Zimbabwe in the third quarter final on Tuesday at 2:00pm before Tanzania plays Malawi in the last quarter final game. At the point when Zimbabwe led 2-0, Kenya still held on to hopes if Zimbabwe went on to thrash Tanzania by a 4-0 margin. But it was the hosts who fought to pull back a goal through Mwinyi Kazimoto who converted an 85th minute penalty, shutting out the Harambee Stars.

There was however some talks of disciplinary problems in the Kenyan camp that ended with Jamal Mohammed and Paul Were being left out of selection. Some fans blamed this early exit on poor team selection. But also, since coming to the tournament, the Kenyans seemed unmotivated, murmurs indicating that Football Kenya Federation [FKF] had not paid player wages since they assembled in Nairobi preparing for the Challenge Cup.

The FKF chief executive officer, Lordvick Aduda, was in Dar es Salaam during the early stages in the tournament before leaving for Nairobi, promising that he would return with money for the players. He could not be seen until his team was eliminated.

Meanwhile Tanzania Mainland were also outplayed by Zimbabwe who won 2-1 in the second match of the afternoon, but the home team, defending champions at the 12-team tournament, managed to qualify for the quarter finals as the second of two best runners-up sides from the three pools. Zanzibar, who awaited the results of the final day to know their fate, were in the quarters as the best runners-up team. Sunday is a resting day and action resumes on Monday when Burundi plays Sudan in the first quarter final before Rwanda takes on Zanzibar.

 

 

 

Results: Somalia 0 Vs Zanzibar 3, Burundi 1 Vs Uganda 0 (4:00pm)

Today: Rwanda Vs Djibouti (2:00pm), Ethiopia Vs Malawi (4:00pm)

Burundi electrified Dar es Salaam National Stadium on Thursday, upsetting pre-match favourites Uganda with a 1-0 win. The results thrust Burundi to finish top of the group ‘B’ table in the ongoing Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup here in Dar es Salaam, a position many felt earlier was Uganda’s destiny.

Zanzibar also won their last group stage match, beating Somalia 3-0, in the same group, but will have to wait and see whether they will be one of the two best third place teams that will qualify for the quarter finals. Burundi players were brilliant and entertaining right from the word go. As the game wore on, a bemused Uganda appeared unable to cope with a pace they never expected.

But Coach Bobby Williamson praised his boys saying they did their best only that they lost the game. “I congratulate my boys for making it into the quarter finals of this very competitive tournament” the Scottish tactician told a fully packed post match press conference.

A fiercely attack-minded Burundi raided the Uganda goal with booming shots from all angles; most of them long range to the great discomfort of the Cranes goalie Robert Odongkara.

The St. George FC goalkeeper had been tested from all angles when, with sun in the eyes, he was beaten by a high ball from Cedric Amissi in the 40th minute. The ‘blinded keeper’ could do nothing about the ball that his stretched arms could not reach as it went in via the upright on the top far corner.  “I was affected by the sun rays but will offer my best if given another chance” said Odongokara after the game. Cranes’ tournament first choice goalkeeper Abby Dhaira still struggles to recover from malaria.

The Burundians never let the Ugandans settle, pushing them to the limit with short clever passes that threw the Cranes’ midfield into shambles. Uganda would have taken a lead in the 23 minute when Emmanuel Okwi dribbled through the ‘forest’ of Burundi defender and left with the goalkeeper to beat but never used this opportunity maximally. Uganda will now have to play the runners up from Group ‘A’ likely to be mainland Tanzania or Zimbabwe depending on the results from their remaining group stage matches. Burundi plays second best team from group ‘C’

Meanwhile Zanzibar’s qualification into the quarter final stages hinges their hopes on either Tanzania or Zimbabwe failing to win their last Group ‘A’ match on Saturday to finish on three points and be eliminated. Rwanda are expected to beat Djibouti this Friday to top Group ‘A’ on nine points, while Ethiopia and Malawi meet in a crucial Group ‘C’ engagement, whose qualifying and eliminated team[s] will only be known on the last day of play when Kenya meet Sudan.

Line up for Uganda: 18. Robert Odongkara, (Gk); 17, Simeon Massa, 15, Godfrey Walusimbi, 5. Isaac Isinde, 4. Henry Kalungi, 2. Musa Mudde, 12. Dan Wagaluka (13. Moses Oloya, 60’), 20. Patrick Ochan (6. Tony Mawejje, 60’), 7. Emmanuel Okwi, 8. Mike Serumaga,10. Michael Mutyaba (11. Sula Matovu, 68’). Reserves not used – 19. Ali Kimera, 9. Robert Sentongo,16. Hamis Kiiza, 3. Habib Kavuma. Coach – Robert Williamson [Scotland]

Burundi – 1. Vladmir Niyonkuru: 14. Floribert Ndayisaba (captain), 15. Gilbert Kaze, 6. Karim Nizigiyimana, 5. Hassan Hakizimana, 16. Pierre Kwizera, 8. Faty Papy, 7. Didier Kavumbagu, 18. Kevin Ndayisenga (9. Laudy Mavugo, 49’), 3. Fuady Ndayisenga (12. Gael Duhayindavyi, 89’), 10. Cedric Amissi. Reserves not used – 2. Saidi Nduwimana, 13. Styve Nzigamasabo, 4. Frederic Nsabiyumana, 19. Saidi Suleiman, 17. Emery Nibumana

Scorer – 10. Cedric Amissi (39’, Coach – Adel Amrouche [Algeria]

Referee – Bamlak Tessema [Ethiopia], Assistant ref – Brassan Mamati [Kenya], Asst ref – John Kanyenye [Tanzania], Reserve ref – Gervais Munyanziza [Rwanda], Match commissioner – Zam Ali [Zanzibar]

RESULTS & FIXTURES:

Friday, November 25:

1. 2.00pm: Burundi 4-1 Somalia, 2. 4.00pm: Uganda 2-1 Zanzibar,

Saturday, Nov 26: 3. 4.00pm: Tanzania 0-1 Rwanda,

Sunday, Nov 27:

4. 2.00pm: Zimbabwe 2-0 Djibouti, 5. 4.00pm: Zanzibar 0-0 Burundi,

Monday, Nov 28:

6. 2.00pm: Sudan 1-1 Ethiopia, 7. 4.00pm: Kenya 0-2 Malawi, 8. 4.00pm: Somalia 0-4 Uganda,

Tuesday, Nov 29:

9. 2.00pm: Rwanda 2-0 Zimbabwe, 10. 4.00pm: Djibouti 0-3 Tanzania,

Wednesday, No 30:

11. 2.00pm: Ethiopia 0-2 Kenya, 12. 4.00pm: Malawi 0-0 Sudan,

Thursday, December 1:

13. 2.00pm: Somalia 0-3 Zanzibar, 14. 4.00pm: Burundi 1-0 Uganda,

Fri, Dec 2:

15. 2.00pm: Rwanda v Djibouti, 16. 4.00pm: Ethiopia v Malawi,

Sat, Dec 3:

17. 2.00pm: Kenya v Sudan, 18. 4.00pm: Tanzania v Zimbabwe,

(Issued this Friday December 2 by Rogers Mulindwa)

 

Friday: Rwanda Vs Djibouti (2:00pm)

Ethiopia Vs Malawi (4:00pm)

Uganda Cranes returns to action this afternoon against Burundi in the ongoing Cecafa Tusker senior Challenge Cup here in Dar es Salaam without Captain Andy Mwesigwa.

First choice goalkeeper Abby Dhaira will also have to watch the game from the terraces following a malaria attack. St. George goalkeeper Robert Odongokara makes it to the final squad the first time since the tournament started over a week ago.Proline’s defender Henry Kalungi will also have to start to fill the vacuum of Andy Mwesigwa who is serving his suspension. Simeon Masaba captains today’s squad.

The Cranes game that comes two hours from now will be a decider of who finishes on top of group C. Earlier on, pointless Somalia will have taken on Zanzibar who have so far afforded only one point from two games. A draw or a win for Uganda would automatically put the Cranes into a comfortable group ‘C’ lead. When they dare losing the game, then they will finish second behind their opponents.

Tonny Mawejje who has just recovered from malaria returns as a substitute. Others on the bench are Hamis Kiiza, Sula Matovu, Habib Kavuma, Robert Sentongo, Moses Oloya and Ali Kimera.

Uganda line up: Robert Odongokara (18), Simeon Masaba (17), Godfrey Walusimbi (15), Musa Mudde (2), Isaac Isinde (5), Henry Kalungi (4), Dan Wagaluka (12), Patrick Ochan (20), Emmanuel Okwi (7), Mike Sserumaga (8) and Mike Mutyaba(10).

Burundi: Niyonkuru Vladimir (GK), Ndayisaba Floribert (14, C ), Kaze Gilbert (15), Ndayisenga Kevin (18),  Nizigiyimana Karim (6), Kwizera Pierre (16), Papy Faty (8), Kavumbagu Didier (7), Ndayisenga Fwady(3), Amissi Cedric (10), Hakizimana Hassan (5).

(Compiled by Rogers Mulindwa in Dar es Salaam)

 

Somalia 0 Uganda 4

Ethiopia 1 Sudan 1

Kenya 0 Malawi 2

Cranes Captain Andrew Mwesigwa says he regrets the action he took against the Somali player in the Monday afternoon clash that costs him a place on the next squad against Burundi on Thursday.

Mwesigwa however clarifies that he did not have the intentions to hurt any player but was only aiming at clearing away the ball. Mwesigwa was given marching orders during the game Uganda won by 4-0 with Emmanuel Okwi scoring a hat trick after Dan Wagaluka scored an opener. “I apologize to all my fans and the technical bench for this red card. I have no choice, the referee’s decision is final” said a visibly concerned player leader.

Both Mwesigwa and the Somali Captain Yasin Ali Igal got the red cards. “I shall miss playing against Burundi but will offer all my prayers to win and top the group” said a committed Cranes captain. Uganda with six points went on top of group ‘B’.

Elsewhere, Kenya lost 0-2 to Malawi in their opening Group ‘C’ match and the Harambee Stars performance was less than encouraging from a team obliged to correct a poor recent past before tough internationals ahead. John Banda punished some poor defending in the box by Kenya to open the scoring in the 23rd minute and even though Harambee Stars conceded the second goal through a penalty- Malawi skipper Joseph Kamwendo converted it in the 61st minute. Kenya lost 3-2 to Malawi in the group stages of the same tournament last year.

They now play Ethiopia on Wednesday in a match they have to win or stare at another embarrassing elimination

In the first game at Dar es Salaam International stadium, Ethiopia came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sudan. Sudan is the only country in the region that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year.

RESULTS & FIXTURES:

Friday, November 25:

1. 2.00pm: Burundi 4-1 Somalia, Gp ‘B’

2. 4.00pm: Uganda 2-1 Zanzibar, Gp ‘B’

Saturday, Nov 26:

3. 4.00pm: Tanzania 0-1 Rwanda, Gp ‘A’

Sunday, Nov 27:

4. 2.00pm: Zimbabwe 2-0 Djibouti, Gp ‘A’

5. 4.00pm: Zanzibar 0-0 Burundi, Gp ‘B’

Monday, Nov 28:

6. 2.00pm: Sudan 1-1 Ethiopia, Gp ‘C’

7. 4.00pm: Kenya 0-2 Malawi, Gp ‘C’

8. 4.00pm: Somalia 0-4 Uganda, Gp ‘B’ [Azam FC Stadium, Chamazi]

Tuesday, Nov 29:

9. 2.00pm: Rwanda v Zimbabwe, Gp ‘A’

10. 4.00pm: Djibouti v Tanzania, Gp ‘A’

Wednesday, No 30:

11. 2.00pm: Ethiopia v Kenya, Gp ‘C’

12. 4.00pm: Malawi v Sudan, Gp ‘C’

Thursday, December 1:

13. 2.00pm: Somalia v Zanzibar, Gp ‘B’

14. 4.00pm: Burundi v Uganda, Gp ‘B’

Fri, Dec 2:

15. 2.00pm: Rwanda v Djibouti, Gp ‘A’

16. 4.00pm: Ethiopia v Kenya, Gp ‘C’

Sat, Dec 3:

17. 2.00pm: Kenya v Sudan, Gp ‘C’

18. 4.00pm: Tanzania v Zimbabwe, Gp ‘A’

Sunday: Zimbabwe Vs Djibouti, Zanzibar Vs Burundi

Monday: Sudan Vs Ethiopia (2:00pm), Somali Vs Uganda (4:00pm),

Kenya Vs Malawi (4:00pm)

The Uganda Cranes may have to play their next game in the ongoing Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup here in Dar es Salaam without the services of their creative mid fielder Tonny Mawejje who is down with malaria.

Striker Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza is also just recovering from similar illness and still looks unfit to be included on the starting lineup tomorrow. The leader of the Ugandan delegation in Tanzania Livingstone Kyambadde confirmed to www.fufa.co.ug this Sunday morning that the IBV FC (Serbia) player did not even train with the rest of the team this morning.

Kyambadde was at JB Belmont, a four star Hotel to attend the pre-match meeting with Cecafa officials. He was in company of Kiiza who also missed the training and still struggles to recover his fitness. “The doctor is doing his part but chances are high that we may miss both players in our next game” said Kyambadde who is also the FUFA Vice president in charge of technical matters.

Uganda plays Somalia in their next game this Monday from an artificial turf at Chamazi in Temehe district. The stadium owned by Azam FC is located about 20Kms out of Dar es Salaam city. The team will have to leave their residence around 1:00pm under police escorts in order to beat the high traffic jam along the route. Kick off time is 4:00pm.

Uganda beat Zanzibar 2-1 in their opening game on Friday.

Tanzanian Prime minister H.E Mizengo Pinda was the chief guest at the official opening of this year’s challenge cup yesterday. Meanwhile the Zimbabwe National team has not yet arrived in Dar es Salaam and was by press time still reported to be in Nairobi. Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye said the group had had difficulties in flight connections but were expected this afternoon. Zimbabwe plays Djibouti this Sunday at 2:00pm.

 

Group B results: Burundi 4 Vs  Somalia 1, Uganda 2 Vs  Zanzibar 1

Today (Group A) Tanzania Vs Rwanda

Zanzibar head coach Mohamed Hemed Morocco confessed that it was unfortunate for his team to kick off the Cecafa Challenge Cup tournament against Uganda, a team he described as being widely experienced.

On the other side, the Cranes Head coach Bobby Williamson was all praises for his side to have registered the maximum points against their ‘stubborn’ opponents. “We dominated the game and we deserved the win.

I congratulate my players” said the Scottish tactician shortly after the last whistle. Uganda won the game 2-1 to go second on the table after Burundi walloped lowly ranked Somalia 4-1 in the first group match.

Uganda took the lead in the 41st minute when Dan Wagaluka beautifully connected a cross to beatthe Zanzibar goalkeeper Ali Mwadini. The first half ended i-0 with Uganda dominating the game.  Ali Badru Ali levelled just two minutes after half time to throw the Tanzanian fans into jubilations but Mike Serumaga finished off Zanzibar’s defence splitting attack, making it 2-1 in the 77th minute. He took a hard shot into the right corner of the net that left Mwadin Ali Mwadin mentally disturbed. Sserumaga had in the 71^st minute had his hard shot hit the right goal post to deny him an early goal.

Uganda’s Captain Andy Mwesigwa walked off with a yellow card for tackling Abdulghan Gulam in the 74^th minute. Rwandese Referee Garvis Munyenziza officiated the Ugandan game with Idam Mohammed (Sudan) and Brazan Mamati (Kenya) as his assistants.

Oloya Moses came in for goal scorer and APR player Dan Wagaluka in the 83 minute but his impact was little seen on the pitch. Defending champions Tanzania Mainland have arduous task at the beginning of their campaign this Saturday to retain the title when they play Rwanda in the only fixture today.

Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema will be in charge of the game that is expected to attract a mammoth crowd. Hassan Egueh From Djibouti and Uganda’s Mark Sonko are lined up as assistants.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, a passionate fan of football at any level, was  surprise attendant on the opening day, arriving to watch the entire Uganda-v Zanzibar encounter.

The Kenyan PM was welcomed into the stadium by Cecafa President, Leodegar Tenga and the organisation’s General Secretary, Nicholas Musonye. On Thursday, the Cecafa Congress took place here in Dar es Salaam and Tenga was elected to lead the 11-member Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations, for another four-year term. Musonye was endorsed to continue in the un-elective Chief Executive Officer position for the same period. FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa attended the congress.

(By Rogers Mulindwa, In Dar es salaam)

TEAMS: UGANDA – 1. Abby Dhaira: 14. Andrew Mwesigwa, 17. Simeon Masaba, 15. Geoffrey Walusimbi, 5. Isaac Isinde, 6. Tony Mawejje, 12. Dan Wagaluka (13. Moses Oloya, 83’), 8. Mike Serumaga, 20. Patrick Ochan, 7. Emmanuel Okwi (9. Robert Sentongo, 79’), 10. Mike Mutyaba (11. Sula Matovu, 72’)

Reserves not used – 18. Robert Odongkara, 16. Kiiza Hamis, 2. Musa Mudde, 4. Henry Kalungi

Scorers – 12. Dan Wagaluka (41’), 8. Mike Serumaga (77’)

ZANZIBAR – 18. Ali Mwadini: 13. Nadir “Canavaro” Haroub (Captain), 20. Juma Othuman Mmanga, 3. Othuman Omar Tamim, 15. Aggrey Morris, 10. Abdul Halim Homoud, 7. Seleiman Kassim, 14. Abdulghani Gulam, 16. Ali Badru Ali (12. Makame Hamadi, 62’), 6. Waziri Salum (19. Mcha Khamis, 47’), 17. Ali Mkanga

Reserves not used – 1. Abbas Nassor, 4. Ismail Khamis, 2. Mohammed Abdulhalim, 9. Jaku Juma Jaku, 5. Ali Hamza Omar.

Scorer – 16. Ali Badru Ali (46’)

Coach – Mohamed Hemed Morocco

Referee – Davies Omweno (Kenya)

RESULTS & FIXTURES:

Friday, November 25:

1. 2.00pm: Burundi 4-1 Somalia, Gp ‘B’

2. 4.00pm: Uganda 2-1 Zanzibar, Gp ‘B’

Saturday, Nov 26:

3. 4.00pm: Tanzania v Rwanda, Gp ‘A’

Sunday, Nov 27:

4. 2.00pm: Zimbabwe v Djibouti, Gp ‘A’

5. 4.00pm: Zanzibar v Burundi, Gp ‘B’

Monday, Nov 28:

6. 2.00pm: Sudan v Ethiopia, Gp ‘C’

7. 4.00pm: Kenya v Malawi, Gp ‘C’

8. 4.00pm: Somalia v Uganda, Gp ‘B’ [Azam FC Stadium, Chamazi]

Tuesday, Nov 29:

9. 2.00pm: Rwanda v Zimbabwe, Gp ‘A’

10. 4.00pm: Djibouti v Tanzania, Gp ‘A’

Wednesday, No 30:

11. 2.00pm: Ethiopia v Kenya, Gp ‘C’

12. 4.00pm: Malawi v Sudan, Gp ‘C’

Thursday, December 1:

13. 2.00pm: Somalia v Zanzibar, Gp ‘B’

14. 4.00pm: Burundi v Uganda, Gp ‘B’

Fri, Dec 2:

15. 2.00pm: Rwanda v Djibouti, Gp ‘A’

16. 4.00pm: Ethiopia v Kenya, Gp ‘C’

Sat, Dec 3:

17. 2.00pm: Kenya v Sudan, Gp ‘C’

18. 4.00pm: Tanzania v Zimbabwe, Gp ‘A’

Sun, Dec 4: R E S T D A Y

QUARTER FINALS

Mon Dec 5:

19. C2 v B2

20. A1 v Best Loser 1

Tue, Dec 6:

21. C1 v Best Loser 2

22. B1 v A2

Wed, Dec 7: R E S T D A Y

SEMI FINALS

Thur, Dec 8:

23. Winner 19 v Winner 20

24. Winner 21 v Winner 22

Fri, Dec 9: R E S T D A Y

Sat, Dec 10:

BRONZE MEDAL: Loser 23 v Loser 24

FINAL: Winner 23 v Winner 24

The Cranes National team touched Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania this Wednesday afternoon just minutes after Amavubi of Rwanda had also landed here. Ugandan born goalkeeper trainer Ibrahim Mugisha was part of the Rwandese delegation.

Ethiopian based Cranes players Robert Odongokara, Isaac Isinde, Sula Matovu and Mike Sserumaga had arrived about two hours earlier aboard Ethiopian airlines. Uganda was booked at Valentino Hotel in Kariako area.

Coach Bobby Williamson will have to take his boys through intensified exercises to catch up with the hot temperatures here that range between 27-30 degrees. Uganda plays tricky Zanzibar in their first game on Friday. Hosts Tanzania take on Rwanda in the official opening fixture on Saturday.

(Posted by Rogers Mulindwa-Head of communications, FUFA)

Cranes first choice goal keeper Denis Onyango has been ruled out of this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge due in Dar es Salaam city this coming weekend.

Onyango’s passport could not be returned on time after it was submitted to the South African government for a work permit. Onyango recently joined Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa.  Abby Dhaira now travels as the team’s first goal keeper. The federation technical committee has also opted for the St. George (Ethiopia) custodian Robert Odongokara to join the squad.

An invitation has this morning been sent to the Ethiopian federation seeking the release of Odongokara for the Cranes duty. Vice President in charge of Technical matters, Livingstone Kyambadde heads the Ugandan delegation. Sula Matovu, Isaac Isinde, Serumaga Mike and Odongokara are set to connect to Dar es salaam straight from Ethiopia.

The travelling team includes Abby Dhaira, Ali Kimera, Andy Mwesigwa, Masaba Simeon, Kavuma Habib, Walusimbi Godfrey, Okwi Emmanuel and Wagaluka Dan. Others include Omony Brian, Ochan Patrick, Sentongo Robert, Olopya Moses Mawejje Tonny and Mutyaba Mike.

Ugandan FA President Lawrence Mulindwa has called upon his executive committee members to dedicate more time towards football development programs and always step forward to defend the federation whenever its image gets tarnished by detractors.

He was speaking at the closing of the two day retreat  attended by all the 21 Executive members at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel, Garuga Sunday afternoon. Mulindwa said he had a lot of considerations in selecting his new executive and warned against betrayal in service delivery.

He echoed the importance of this retreat and said the acquired knowledge must be used in improving the federation services across the nation. “It’s now time to work and the cancer of more talk and less work must come to an end”, the FA President advised his team.

In his presentation, newly appointed Vice President in charge of the Uganda Super League (USL) Mujib Kasule said he was impressed with the proceedings during the retreat. “When still out of FUFA , we would be told that during such FUFA meetings members make no meaningful deliberations but what I have seen here gives me more strength to work harder myself”  Kasule confessed to his colleagues. He further made stunning revelation when he made a flash back into the past football administration. “In 2004, the Cranes team left for Ethiopian with only U$ 75 (about UG Shs. 120.000 of that time) that was given to Mr. Kalibbala who led the delegation” he confessed, adding, ‘the situation has since changed so much’.  Kasule was part of the squad in Addis Ababa for the Cecafa senior challenge cup. “With such treatment, we did not even qualify out of group stages” Kasule said.

The vice presidents were tasked to avail the summaries of their presentations to the secretariat after which a joint ‘Katomi Resort Document’ would be produced to form the basis of the committee operations for the next two years. This joint working document will be out next week.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) has released the fixtures for this year’s senior challenge cup parading the Uganda Cranes against long time rivals Zanzibar in the Group B opening match on November 25.

The Cranes game to be played at 4pm in the National stadium of Dar es salaam will follow an earlier fixture between Burundi and Somalia at 2pm on the same ground. The official opening ceremony is slated for Saturday November 26 where hosts Tanzania take on Rwanda in an anticipated thriller at 4pm.

While releasing the fixtures at Cecafa head offices in Nairobi this Wednesday afternoon, Musonye urged the teams to respect the fixture and avoid late coming. “We shall be very strict with time management, the games are live on super sport and we don’t want to let down our partners” Musonye said. He added that the top two teams from each group and the best two losers from all the three groups will qualify to the quarter finals. Below is the detailed fixture.

DATE	M.NO.	TEAMS	GROUP	VENUE	TIME
Friday 25th Nov 2011	1 2	Burundi Vs Somalia Uganda Vs Zanzibar	BB	DarDar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Saturday 26th Nov 2011	3	Tanzania Vs Rwanda	A	Dar	4.00PM
Sunday  27th Nov 2011	45	Namibia Vs Djibouti Zanzibar Vs Burundi	A B	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Monday 28th Nov 2011	6 7 8	Sudan Vs Ethiopia Kenya Vs Malawi Somalia Vs Uganda	C C B	Dar Dar Azam	2.00PM 4.00PM 4.00PM
Tuesday 29th Nov 2011	9 10	Rwanda Vs Namibia Djibouti Vs Tanzania	A A	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Wednesday 30th Nov 2011	1112	Ethiopia Vs Kenya Malawi Vs Sudan	C C	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Thursday 1st Dec 2011	13 14	Somalia Vs Zanzibar Burundi Vs Uganda	B B	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Friday 2nd Dec 2011	15 16	Rwanda Vs Djibouti Ethiopia Vs Malawi	A C	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Saturday 3rd Dec 2011	1718	Kenya Vs Sudan Tanzania Vs Namibia	C A	Dar Dar	2.00PM 4.00PM
Sunday 4th Dec 2011		REST DAY
		Quarter Finals
Monday 5th Dec 2011	19 20	B1 Vs C2 A1 Vs Best loser 1		Dar Dar	TBD
Tuesday 6th Dec 2011	21 22	C1 Vs Best loser 2 A2 Vs B2		Dar Dar	TBD
Wedesday 7th Dec 2011		REST  DAY
		Semi Finals
Thursday 8th Dec 2011	23 24	Winner 19 Vs winner 20 Winner 21 Vs Winner 22		Dar Dar	TBD
Friday 9th Dec 2011		REST DAY
		Final  And Third Place
Saturday 10th Dec 2011	25 26	Loser 23 Vs Loser 24 Winner 23 Vs Winner 24		Dar Dar	TBD

 

(By Rogers Mulindwa Mulindwa-Cecaf Media Officer)

The Uganda Cranes had a perfect start by shocking LG Cup hosts Morocco with a 1-0 victory in the four Nations official opening match played under floodlights last night.

St. George FC player Mike Sserumaga struck in the 47 minute after both teams had played to a goalless first half. Hosts Morocco went into the game as favourites but left shocked after the 90 minutes. Earlier on, West African giants, Cameroon had humbled Sudan 3-1 in a one-sided game.

Morocco who had all their professional players on board including Youssouf Hadji, Marouane Chamakh and Ousamma Assaidin among others  created more chances at Uganda’s goal mouths but all their efforts got frustrated by an experienced goalkeeper Denis onyango.

Onyango came in for Abby Dhaira who had been landed a starter’s chance but limped off in the 3^rd minute after he was involved in a collusion with his defenders and two Moroccan strikers. Debutant Henry Kalungi had a perfect game until late in the second half when he was substituted after pulling a muscle in the thigh.

Coach Bobby Williamson commended his players after the crucial match and attributed the win to good team work. “The team played as a unit and I am impressed with the results”, said the Scottish tactician. He also added, “We had all the respect for the home team and they did their best but our side was very focused”. Uganda will now play Sudan on Sunday before Morocco takes on Cameroon. The Cranes starting line up had Abby Dhaira (Onyanga Denis,3′), Masaba Simeon, Walusimbi Geoffrey, Isaac Isinde, Kalungi Henry, Wasswa Hassan, Kayizzi vincent, Ochan Patrick, Serumaga Mike, Umony Brian and Kavuma Habib.

 

 

The Scottish tactician was heard telling colleagues in Morocco Thursday evening that South African based Cranes custodian Denis Onyango had already proved his worth in the past campaigns. Onyango conceeded only two goals throughout the last Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The goals came from Angola in Luanda City where Uganda lost 2-0.

Bobby said he would therefore prefer giving Dhaira a chance to prove himself but this he added, ‘would be finally decided later’.

During his training session on Thursday, Bobby concentrated on trying Proline FC’s Kalungi Henry in Captain Ibrahim Ssekagya’s back position with Isaac Isinde standing in the position of the  assistant captain Andy Mwesigwa. Ssekagya and Mwesigwa did not travel with the team.

Masaba Simeon and Walusimbi Godfrey could start in their usual positions while Hassan Wasswa is destined to play in deep six position. Going by the same training, Brian Umony, Habib Kavuma, and Mike Sserumaga would also start among others.

Meanwhile Bobby has assured the LG cup organizers that his team was not in Morocco as tourists but for serious business. “We attach a lot of respect to this tournament and we thank the organizers for considering inviting Uganda” said Bobby. He was speaking during the press conference organized this Thursday. Sudan plays Cameroon in the first game before the official opening match between Morocco and Uganda around 11:30pm (Ugandan Local time). Cameroonian International star player, Samuel E’tto will lead his side against Sudan.

The crowning ceremony is set for Sunday and the winner walks away with U$ 60.000, the runners up U$ 30.000 while the third and fourth team take home U4 20.000 and U$ 10.000 respectively. Keep watching this space for more details before kick off in Marrakesh City.