Football

St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende optimistic prior to 2026 CAF African Schools Championship in Zimbabwe

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2026

Event: 2026 CAF African schools championship
Dates: 2nd to 10th April 2026
Venue: Harare, Zimbabwe

Team Uganda will be represented by St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende at the 2026 CAF African Schools championship in Harare city, Zimbabwe (2nd to 10th April).

This event brings together boys and girls under 15 years from different countries across Africa.

Uganda has representation only among the male gender with the other countries being Zimbabwe (Hosts), Benin, DR Congo, Morocco, Senegal, Zambia and the reigning champions, Tanzania.

Ghana is the defending champions among the girls. They will be joined by Zimbabwe (Hosts), DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia.

St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende players and other officials

Team Uganda was officially flagged off on the evening of Tuesday, 31st March 2026 at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The guest list was rich led by the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports Rev. Canon Dr Duncans Mugumya.

St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende players with the national flag

Other officials included; Edgar Watson Suubi (CEO of Federation of Uganda Football Associations), Justus Mugisha (president of Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association and FUFA Vice president), Christopher Mugisha Banage (USSSA General Secretary), Patrick Alfred Okanya (USSSA president emeritus), Jimmy Ssembatya Mukasa (head teacher, St Mary’s Boarding School, Kitende), Claire Mulindwa and other USSSA members of the secretariat.

The team departed on Wednesday morning aboard Rwandair.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Isaac Ssentongo is among the pool of match officials selected through the CAF Young Referees’ Programme for this championship.

Quotes:

We have prepared well for these games and we are ready to go for the title.

Livingstone Kulata, team captain

The players have undergone great training and warm up games. We are ready physically and mentally with one target at hand; to bring home the trophy.

Hassan Zzungu, head coach

I thank the Government of Uganda that has continued to invest endlessly in the sports sub-sector. Special thanks to FUFA and USSSA for organizing the football competitions. We are proud of you. You have a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talent to the world. Give your best and you will return victorious.

Rev. Canon Dr. Duncans Mugumya

I congratulate St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende for the making it once again for the CAF Schools African football championship. This is the third time that they are representing the country on the continent. I have all the reasons to believe that you will return victorious from Zimbabwe. I thank the director Dr Lawrence Mulindwa for the massive investment undertaken.

Justus Mugisha, president of Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA)

Justus Mugisha, USSSA president and FUFA Vice president

Special thanks to the Almighty God that we managed to qualify to represent Uganda at the CAF African schools championship. I thank all the players and stakeholders for the effort undertaken to ensure this feat. I thank the Ministry of Education and Sports as well as the Government at large for the conducive environment created. I thank the St Mary’s management for tapping the talent to form a formidable team, one that has qualified to represent the country. Special thanks to the director Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa for the investment undertaken and special appreciation to USSSA for organizing successful sports competitions.

Jimmy Ssembatya Mukasa, head teacher St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende

Justus Mugisha with St Mary’s Kitende head teacher Jimmy Ssembatya Mukasa sharing a light moment

This competition falls in line with the FUFA Technical Master plan; developing players and coaches. To the players, please do not take this for granted. You are now representing Uganda. Take it in your mind, that you are representing Uganda. Do not underestimate time. Play to your best and remember this is your time. I thank the USSSA president for always lobbying CAF to host this particular competition in Uganda. I also applaud the FUFA Executive committee led by Eng. Moses Magogo, Dr Lawrence Mulindwa and St Mary’s Kitende for accepting to host a regional event of this magnitude. In the same vein, I thanked the Ministry of Education of Sports and CAF for this wonderful project, a high-level competition for youngsters.

Edgar Watson Suubi, FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

We are humbled for this special occasion to represent the country at the CAF Africa Schools football championship. We thank the director, school management, coaches, players, USSSA and Government for the collective effort. The target remains; to win the trophy back home.

Claire Mulindwa

Rev Canon Duncans Mugumya with Claire Mulindwa

Full Delegation:

Officials:

Head of Delegation: Twahil Kiteezaala
Government officials: Duncans Mugumya (Commissioner Physical education and sports, Ministry of Education & Sports) & Brighton Barugahare (Commissioner Policy and Research in Ministry of Education and Sports)
Member Association Representative: Saidi Ddamulira
Media officer: Aisha Nakato

Players:

Frank Musisi, Bashir Edema, Akram Ssenyonga, Nabiru Kajumba, Shakur Ngobi, Hamidu Kasumba, Nicholas Kawooya, Livingstone Kulata, Haruna Kisakye, Owen Mukisa, Elisa Mukasa, Ivin Kakinda, Musa Kironde, Henry Muhoozi, Lucky Wanyama, Imran Ssebbale, Shafic Kitimbo, Eze Kombi, Derrick Rwothomio, Emmanuel Opio

Team Officials:

Team manager: Ronald Mulajje
Head Coach: Hassan Zungu
Assistant Coach: Micheal Kabali
Safe Guarding: Joel Muwanguzi
Team Doctor: Aloysious Kyeyune
Goal keeping Coach: Mubarak Kiberu

Teams:

Boys: Zimbabwe (Hosts), Benin, DR Congo, Tanzania (Champions), Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia
Girls: Zimbabwe (Hosts), DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Ghana (Champions), Morocco, Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia

L-R: Viola Kyolaba, Rev Canon Duncans Mugumya, Marion Atwegyeise and Claire Mulindwa

The post St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende optimistic prior to 2026 CAF African Schools Championship in Zimbabwe appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Philippines held to draw by Tajikistan, falls short of Asian Cup return

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2026

Elliot Michael

By: Icko de Guzman

Needing a win to secure a return to the AFC Asian Cup, the Philippines saw its hopes dashed after settling for a 1–1 draw against Tajikistan in their final qualifying match at Hisor Central Stadium in Dushanbe.

The result left the Philippines short of qualification, finishing second in Group A level on 14 points with Tajikistan, but ultimately edged out on goal difference.

The Philippines last reached the Asian Cup in 2019, booking their spot with a 2–1 victory over the same opponent at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila in March 2018.

Raphael Obermair made his long-awaited national team debut and marked it with a goal in the 19th minute to give the Philippines an early boost. The SC Paderborn midfielder connected on a cross from Randy Schneider on the right flank and fired a low strike into the far corner.

However, Tajikistan responded five minutes before halftime, as Shereddin Boboev found space outside the box and unleashed a shot that beat Kevin Ray Hansen, taking a deflection on its way into the goal.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the second half. The Philippines nearly broke through in the 85th minute, with Jesper Nyholm testing the goal, while Jarvey Gayoso had a late chance but sent his volley over the bar.

With their Asian Cup bid falling short, the Philippines now shifts focus to the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, set for July to August.

The post Philippines held to draw by Tajikistan, falls short of Asian Cup return appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Football

SC Villa unveils plan for youth and talent development

Published

1 hour ago

April 1, 2026

Elliot Michael

Under the visionary stewardship of Hajji Omar Mandela, SC Villa is not only chasing trophies but also developing a long-term plan for youth and talent.

The club has officially unveiled a high-calibre technical bench specifically designed to bridge the gap between raw potential and senior-team excellence, marking the first major milestone in a bold five-year plan for sustainable success.

At the helm of this youth revolution is Nebojsa Kapoor, appointed as Head Coach for both the Young Jogoos and the reserve side, Wembly FC.

Competing in the Kampala Regional League, Wembly FC will serve as Kapoor’s laboratory for identifying and refining the next generation of stars.

His mission is to ensure that the transition from the academy to the senior squad is seamless, creating a consistent tactical DNA throughout the club’s ranks.

Adding legendary weight to the setup is former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, who joins as the club’s goalkeeping tactician.

A veteran with 23 international caps and three league titles to his name, Ochan’s return to Villa, where he played during the 2011/12 season, is a homecoming built on expertise.

His dual experience as a decorated player and a member of the FUFA Academies League Organising Committee gives the club a strategic edge in scouting and developing elite goalkeepers.

The technical puzzle is completed by Sulaiman “Malouda” Matovu, who takes on a dual role as a trainer for both the youth and senior teams.

Matovu’s journey is a testament to the pipeline Villa hopes to build after a globetrotting career that took him from Proline FC to international stints with BK Häcken and Kaizer Chiefs.

He joined Villa in January 2025 before transitioning directly into coaching upon his retirement this year.

Together, Kapoor, Ochan, and Matovu represent a formidable blend of international pedigree and local heritage.

As they take their places on the touchline, their collective mission is clear: to mentor, shape, and guard the future of SC Villa, ensuring the Jogoo spirit remains a dominant force in Ugandan football for generations to come.

The post SC Villa unveils plan for youth and talent development appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Afcon 2027 qualifiers: South Sudan and Lesotho secure their spots in Group Stages

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Sunday Results

Lesotho 2-1 Seychelles [Agg: 2-1]
South Sudan 0-1 Djibouti [Agg: 4-1]

South Sudan and Lesotho advanced to the main qualifiers of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 after overcoming Djibouti and Seychelles respectively.

The Bright Stars, despite suffering a 1-0 loss in Juba advanced 4-1 on aggregate after they had won the first leg with a comprehensive 4-0 victory a few days earlier.

After a goalless first half, Djibouti found the breakthrough in the 77th minute when Samuel Temidayo finished off a move assisted by Gabriel Dadzie to give the visitors their only goal across the two legs.

Elsewhere, Lesotho came from a goal down to beat Seychelles 2-1 in Bloemfontein and progress on the same aggregate score following a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.

Brandon Labrosse had given the visitors a first half lead but second half goals from Lebohang Lesako and Sera Motebang turned the tie around.

Action in the preliminary round will come to end on Tuesday with four other nations joining South Sudan and Lesotho to compete in the group stage qualifiers.

Afcon 2027 will co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania as confirmed by CAF president Patrice Motsepe despite infrastructural challenges at the moment.

Tuesday March 31, 2026