Football
Having a bit of ‘arrogance’ helps Fonzy Gonzalez anchor UP’s golden run
When University of the Philippines staged its thrilling 2-1 comeback over Far Eastern University last Monday to claim its second UAAP Men’s Football crown in three seasons, one name stood tall between the posts: Fonzy Gonzalez.
The goalkeeper’s heroics not only sealed the Fighting Maroons’ redemption story but also earned him the season’s Best Goalkeeper award, capping a campaign defined by seven clean sheets and just eight goals conceded.
But Gonzalez’s rise to the top wasn’t instantaneous. Long before the accolades, he was the patient understudy, honing his craft in training and supporting teammates from the sidelines, ready for the moment his number would be called.
“For me, I wasn’t really one of the players who usually got picked to play,” Gonzalez admitted. “So I knew my role was to work as hard as I could in training and support my teammates on the pitch—always knowing I had their back no matter what happened.”
The transformation from backup to elite stopper demanded more than skill; it required a shift in mindset. Gonzalez credits his growth to guidance from the team’s previous starter and goalkeeper coach, who taught him that a great keeper must combine skill with presence and confidence.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“One thing I learned from the starting keeper and our coach was to have a bit of arrogance—magkaroon ng konting yabang. Know that you can handle anything and that every decision you make is the right one,” he explained.
That self-assuredness shone brightest in the championship match. In the dying minutes, with UP leading after Ramil Bation II’s 104th-minute strike, Gonzalez and his defenders held firm against a relentless FEU attack, denying the Tamaraws a chance to force penalties.
“It felt like a flashback—beating FEU again—but the scenario was reversed,” Gonzalez recalled. “We were chasing most of the game and never doubted our comeback. Next thing we knew, we were controlling the match, and it ended our way.”
The Fighting Maroons’ triumph was truly a collective effort. Aside from Gonzalez, Florenz Tacardon and Charles Lobitaña were named co-Most Valuable Players, with Lobitaña also earning Best Defender honors.
For Gonzalez, Season 88 will always stand out—not just as another championship, but as a testament to years of unseen effort finally paying off.
“I cannot be happier. It feels like it was about time for me,” he said. “It’s the result of all the hard work I’ve put in during the off-season and in other tournaments. Every moment of preparation mattered.”
UP’s redemption story was built on resilience, teamwork, and a goalkeeper who refused to let anything slip past him—a true wall at the heart of their championship run.
The post Having a bit of ‘arrogance’ helps Fonzy Gonzalez anchor UP’s golden run appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
- Police vs BUL – Kiira Road Police Arena, Kamwokya 4pm
- Kitara vs Entebbe UPPC – Royal Park Butema 4pm
- NEC vs UPDF – MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo 8pm
- Vipers vs Lugazi – St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende 8pm
NEC will be eager to keep their unbeaten run going in 2026 when they host UPDF in one of the four premier league matches on Tuesday.
The Bugolobi based side have not lost a game since the 2-1 defeat to KCCA in December and have since gone seven matches without a loss in the league and two in the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
They go into the game confident after overcoming the same opponent 2-0 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup last week and are unbeaten against the army side in all meetings.
Badru Kaddu has revealed that midfield engine Joseph Sseremba and striker Richard Basangwa are unavailable due to injuries but still believes those available will do the job.
“The target is to keep the run going and we want to win,” said Kaddu.
NEC are 7th on the log with 24 points while UPDF are flirting with relegation having collected only 12 points.
Samuel Ssekamatte could make his NEC debut against former immediate pay bosses in the absence of Basangwa.
In other matches, BUL visit Police, champions Vipers host Lugazi while Kitara are at home to Entebbe UPPC.
Other match day 18 fixtures
Wednesday March 4, 2026
- URA vs Mbarara City – Hamz stadium, Nakivubo 5pm
- Express vs Maroons – Hamz stadium, Nakivubo 8pm
The post NEC confident of maintaining unbeaten run against UPDF despite injuries appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe once again scored a brace as KCCA beat Buhimba United Saints to move within two points of leaders Vipers SC.
The two goals make it four goals in as many previous matches after he also netted in the win over St. George in Masindi and against BUL in the premier league.
Ahimbisibwe’s form has coincided with the resurgence of KCCA who are back in contention in the league and also in the round of 16 in the Uganda Cup.
When he hasn’t scored, KCCA have struggled for results dropping points in defeats to Police (2-0), NEC (2-1) and Entebbe UPPC (1-0) and a draw against Maroons.
The ex-URA striker has scored nine league goals and leads the charts jointly with Ambros Kigozi and is just seven shy of his tally from last season.
The work Brian Ssenyondo and his backroom staff have clearly done with the forward on the training pitch is paying off, and the confidence instilled in him is just as plain to see after he appeared to have hit low heights when he returned from Africa Cup of Nations without playing any minutes for Uganda Cranes.
For now, he appears to be back to his best and showing why KCCA signed him from URA in the summer.
The post What better symbol of KCCA revival than Ahimbisibwe form appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
SC Villa through the registered Trustees of the Villa Members’ Trust (VMT) have revealed the committee that will be in charge of the upcoming Presidential elections.
It should be noted that SC Villa will go to the polls on 22 March and the electoral roadmap has been released already.
The Electoral Committee will be headed by Brian Kajuba with Brandon Katura and Desire Mukisa serving as members.
In the recent General Meeting convened on Sunday, it was agreed that for anyone to contest as the club President, he/she must be a non-refundable registration fee of USH 100M.
Hajji Omar Mandela who is the current SC Villa President is seeking for a return to the helm, having served the previous term between 2021 – 2025.
It should be noted that his term had elapsed in November last year and several questions have been raised on where he is not operating illegally at the moment.
In his defence, Mandela and the current leadership stated that the Villa elections coincided with the National General Elections and thus the decision to postpone the exercise up to March this year.
The post Villa name Electoral Committee to take charge of Club Presidential Elections appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
-
Cricket News3 weeks agoT20 World Cup 2026: 'We've got to stay positive' – Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott remains hopeful of reaching Super 8 despite back-to-back losses
-
Foreign Pros3 weeks ago
‘Eric Chelle must pay compensation to quit Super Eagles post’
-
Football2 weeks ago
2026 Uganda Cup: The confirmed fixtures, venues & kick off times at round of 32
-
Foreign Pros2 weeks ago
Super Eagles coach presents 19-point proposal to NFF
-
Football2 weeks ago
Divine Mukasa plays full time as Leicester City bows out of FA Cup to Southampton
-
Football6 days ago
Uganda Cup: URA eject BlacksPower on penalties
-
ADMU1 week agoAlingalan fires hat-trick vs Claret as UST reclaims UAAP Boys Football pole
-
Foreign Pros2 weeks ago
Galatasaray leave out Osimhen