Football
Charles Lobitaña’s composure amid FEU chase in UAAP Final
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.
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
Vipers braced for most difficult game against Gor Mahia – Lavagne

Monday July 27, 2026
- Pele stadium, Kigali 4pm [EAT]
Denis Lavagne still maintains that Vipers’ main target is the start of the season in Uganda when his side face Kitara in the Fufa Super Cup on August 23 but remain braced for Gor Mahia clash.
The Cecafa Kagame Cup Group A clash at Pele stadium, Kigali pits two sides who won their opening two matches and a win could secure them a place in the semi-final.
Vipers saw off Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine 3-0 while Gor Mahia humiliated hosts APR 5-0 in their first game.
Lavagne expects a difficult game against the Kenyan giants who will be slight favourites in the tie.
“We are not yet 100-percent but we are here to continue with progress,” started Lavagne.
“We have a difficult game tomorrow (Monday) because Gor Mahia is a good team and won the first game so it is good test for our players.
“But I think the players want to show progress and I expect a better game than the first because despite victory, we didn’t play so well especially after the first half yet I want consistent.
“The target for me remains the August 23 Fufa Super Cup game in Uganda but we hope to win tomorrow and progress to the semi-final.”
K’Ogalo were ruthless against APR and Lavagne says this is the most difficult game in the group.
“We have to work hard and improve many things. Gor Mahia is the most difficult in the group but the players are motivated and we shall do all it takes to win.”
With APR likely to overcome Garde Republicaine in the later game, both Gor Mahia and Vipers need victory to enlighten chances of reaching the last four.
The post Vipers braced for most difficult game against Gor Mahia – Lavagne appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Football
Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey

Uganda Cranes midfielder Baba Al-Hassan has joined Turkish entity Madrin 1969 Spor Club on a two-year deal.
Al Hassan, 26, joins the Turkish side from FCSB in Romania where he spent two seasons, scoring twice in 72 appearances.
We wish Baba Alhassan, who we believe will make significant contributions to our goals with his experience, character and quality, a career full of success under our red-navy blue jersey and hope that he will be beneficial to our community
Mardin 1969 Spor statement

Born in Accra, Ghana; the holding midfielder commenced his career at African Talent Football Academy before joining Real Valladolid in 2019.
He played for Real Valladolid B between 2018 and 2019 before crossed to Romania’s Hermannstadt as a free agent in 2020.
Al Hassan is capped five times for Uganda Cranes. He was part of the 25-man final squad that represented Uganda at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

For starters, Mardin Sports Club was founded in 1969 after a merger of Kalespor, Timurspor, Mezopotamyaspor and Genclikspor teams.
The Red and Navy blue colour themed entity hosts their home games at the 5700 seater 21 Kasim Stadium in Mardin.
They won the league title in the 2003/04 season.
The post Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Football
Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria

Uganda Cranes international Kenneth Semakula has completed a move to Al Ittihad Alexandria.
The defender-cum-midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah earlier this year.

The former Sports Club Villa player now begins a new chapter in Egypt.
He comes along to Al Ittihad Alexandria with valuable experience from spells in Uganda, Tunisia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

After a youthful career at Vipers Sports Club, Semakula has since featured for Busoga United, BUL and Sports Club in Uganda.
He then crossed to Club Africain in Tunisia and played for Al-Arabi (Kuwait) and lately Al-Adalah in Saudi Arabia.
Semakula is capped 23 times for the Uganda Cranes since 2021.
The post Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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