Football

Charles Lobitaña’s composure amid FEU chase in UAAP Final

Published

7 months ago

February 28, 2026

Football is a game of fine margins, and for University of the Philippines defender Charles Lobitaña, the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament final was nothing short of a roller coaster.

The road to UP’s second title in three seasons was far from easy for Lobitaña.

In the waning seconds of the first half, a poor clearance from him allowed Far Eastern University midfielder Karl Absalon to strike in the 45+2nd minute, giving the Tamaraws a 1–0 lead and leaving the Fighting Maroons trailing at halftime.

Determined to make up for his early mistake, Lobitaña spent much of the match searching for a way to help his team.

His moment arrived in the 90+9th minute when UP was awarded a penalty after Tacardon drew a foul from FEU’s Francis Sambaan.

With the weight of the championship on his shoulders, Lobitaña calmly stepped up and converted the equalizer past Tamaraws goalkeeper Mon Diansuy, swinging momentum back to the Fighting Maroons.

“Yung nasa isip ko nung napasok ko yung goal — pag napasok ko yun, then tuloy-tuloy na at champion kami,” Lobitaña reflected on that game-changing moment.

UAAP88-FOOTBALL-FINALS-MENS_-FEU-vs-UP_-LOBITANA-Charles-00391 Charles Lobitaña’s composure amid FEU chase in UAAP Final Football News UAAP UP - philippine sports news

His instinct proved correct. In extra time, Ramil Bation III scored the winning goal in the 104th minute, sealing a 2–1 victory and reclaiming the crown UP last held in Season 86.

After over 120 minutes of intense play, the Fighting Maroons captain stood in front of everyone not just as a two-time UAAP champion, but as the competition’s Best Defender as well as Co-Most Valuable Player alongside fellow UP senior Tacardon.

For Lobitaña, individual accolades were secondary to the team’s triumph.

“Ewan ko kung ano ma-fe-feel ko, pero yung mga awards, ano lang yan eh, bonus na lang sa amin yan,” he admitted. “Ang goal talaga namin is mag-champion at ma-reclaim yung crown namin. Nagawa namin and lahat kami, we’re so happy.”

Hailing from Bukidnon, Lobitaña’s victory was a celebration of his roots and the support system that carried him through the grueling Season 88 campaign. As he held the MVP and championship trophies, his thoughts went immediately to those who cheered him on from afar.

“Siguro sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa UP community, sa mga family ko, sa friends ko sa Bukidnon, sa lahat ng teams ko — para sa kanila ’to lahat,” he said.

While many veterans might see a championship and MVP award as the perfect time to bow out, Lobitaña signaled that his journey with the Fighting Maroons is far from over. With one year of eligibility remaining, the defender is already focusing on defending the title in Season 89.

“Mag-isang taon pa ako kaya gagamitin ko to,” Lobitaña concluded, confirming he will return for a final tour.

The post Charles Lobitaña’s composure amid FEU chase in UAAP Final appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Football

Alex Yiga sets sights high after joining URA FC

Published

17 hours ago

September 24, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Newly signed URA FC winger Alex Yiga says he is fully committed to giving his all to help the Tax Collectors achieve their target after wrapping up his move from KCCA FC.

The versatile forward sealed a two-year contract on deadline day, becoming the latest addition to Head Coach Jimmy Kintu Mwera’s side ahead of the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season.

Speaking to the club’s media following his unveiling, the former Uganda Cubs international expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to join the four-time league champions.

“I am very happy to join URA FC and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this great club. I am ready to work hard, learn and continue improving as a player,” Yiga stated.

With competition for places expected to be fierce in URA’s renewed attacking unit, the young attacker emphasised his intent to support the team’s ambitions on the pitch.

“I know the club has important targets this season, and I want to play my part in helping the team achieve them. I will give my best in training and whenever I get the opportunity to represent URA FC,” he added.

Yiga’s arrival offers Coach Kintu significant tactical flexibility in the final third, with the attacker comfortable operating on either flank or through the centre.

The post Alex Yiga sets sights high after joining URA FC appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

FKF appeals to Kenyan judiciary to unlock football stalemate

Published

1 day ago

September 23, 2026

Kenny Malone

FKF president addressing the press in Nairobi on Monday, September 21, 2026. Photo courtesy: FKF

The new Premier League season was scheduled to kick off on September 19, but a late court order halted the commencement of the competition amid a promotion and relegation dispute.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership has appealed to the Kenyan Judiciary to help resolve the legal stalemate that has stalled the start of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season.

In an address to the nation on Monday, September 21, 2026, FKF president Hussein Mohammed appealed to Chief Justice Martha Koome to intervene and ensure that court processes are not abused to the detriment of Kenyan football.

“I hereby plead with the Judiciary and the President, the Chief Justice Martha Koome, to understand the unique situation we operate in and disallow abuse of processes that ultimately harm all Kenyans,” Hussein pleaded.

The new FKF Premier League season was scheduled to kick off on September 19, but a late court order halted the commencement of the competition amid a promotion and relegation dispute involving FKF, Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United.

The dispute centres on whether Mombasa United should be admitted as the 18th team in the league or play off against Kariobangi Sharks for a place in the top flight.

Kenya’s Sports Act 2013 established the Sports Disputes Tribunal, or SDT, to hear and determine sports-related disputes. However, jurisdictional overlaps have seen some stakeholders turn to the High Court to challenge or seek stays of decisions made by the Tribunal.

Hussein says the resulting legal uncertainty has significant consequences for the football ecosystem.

“While access to justice is a fundamental right, repetitive, calculated, and contradictory legal interventions on the eve of competitions cause immense financial and emotional harm. They disrupt club planning, athlete livelihoods, losses for vendors, broadcasters, and commercial partners. Football dispute resolution must balance legal rights with the stability required to run a functional national league,” he said.

However, FKF has itself faced criticism over its use of the High Court on previous occasions to challenge or seek stays of decisions that have gone against the federation.

Hussein is now calling for football disputes to be resolved through the sport’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms, as provided for under FIFA, CAF and FKF statutes.

“For this reason, FIFA, CAF, and FKF statutes do not allow football-related disputes to be prosecuted in ordinary courts. We must immediately revert to internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the football administrative structures if we are to protect the growth, integrity and development of the game.”

The FKF Premier League remains suspended as the federation engages the affected parties and explores a legal resolution to the dispute.

Marabou News Agency

The post FKF appeals to Kenyan judiciary to unlock football stalemate appeared first on Sports Network Africa.

Football

Tanzania edge Burundi to qualify for U-20 AFCON

Published

2 days ago

September 23, 2026

Elliot Michael

2026 CECAFA U-20 championship (AFCON U-20 Qualifiers)

Semifinal 2: Tanzania 2-0 Burundi
Semifinal 1: Uganda 2-3 Sudan

Tanzania took the second CECAFA Zone slot to the AFCON U-20 finals, joining Sudan at next year’s fiesta in Accra, Ghana.

This was after a 2-0 victory over Burundi in the semifinal of the CECAFA U-20 Championship at the Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam, on Tuesday evening.

Juma Abushiri and Faraji Kayanda scored the goals that inspired Mario Rivera Campesino’s charges.

Tanzania players sing the national anthem | Credit: David Isabirye

Abushiri, a player at Young Africans Sports Club, scored directly from a corner kick past Burundi goalkeeper Omari Niyonkuru on the opening quarter-hour mark.

Simba’s Bashiri Salum Kibaila set up Dodoma Jiji’s Kayanda for the second goal in the 33rd minute to establish a 2-0 lead.

From then on, Tanzania played a cautious game and maintained the lead to progress to the final for Thursday’s final against Sudan.

The final will be preceded by the bronze medal match between Uganda and Burundi.

Uganda lost 3-2 to Sudan in the other semifinal.

Tanzania U20 XI Vs Burundi | Credit: David Isabirye

Team Lineups:

Tanzania XI: Shabano Bakari (G.K.), Ismail Ally, Abubakar Othman, Shomvi Rajabu (Captain), Faraji Kayanda, Bashiri Salum Kibaila, Farid Mzalendo, Ahmad Ahmad, Abdulnassir Abdallah, Juma Abushiri, Evastus Lukanima

Subs: Telvin Mfuse (G.K), Roony Gerry, Abdallah Mnumba, Arafat Masoud, Kelvin Revokatus, Jofrey Malecha, Machela Machela, Juma Sagwe, Omar Mdachi

Head coach: Mario Riveria Campesino (Spain)

Burundi U20 XI vs Tanzania | Credit: David Isabirye

Burundi XI: Omari Niyonkuru (G.K.), Radjabu Nzeyimana, Cadeau Ndayishimye, Sympathique Majidi, Abedi Irakoze, Amini Nshimirimana (Captain), Ali-Ali Sadiki, Dieudonne Ndikumana, Abdallah Ndikumana, Roy Amissi, Ally Magambo

Subs: Papy Victoire Mude (G.K.), Djibane Kwizera, Lionel Bigirimana, Abdoul Rahim Ndizeye, Yussuf Nshimirimana, Aubin Ntwari, Jacques Irankunda, Theogene Minani, Hamissi Nahimana

Head coach: Jean De Dieu Rukundo (Burundi)