Friday April 3, 2026

• MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo 3pm

NEC host Vipers in a renewal of acquaintances in the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter final at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Friday afternoon.

The two sides have already met twice this season with the Venoms winning at Lugogo before they were held by NEC in the reverse fixture at Kitende.

To get to the stage, NEC overcame fellow premiership side Lugazi 2-0 while Vipers beat Fufa Big League side Iganga United 4-0.

It will be the second time this season that the Venoms play away from home this campaign.

The hosts will hope forwards Muhammad Ssenoga, Richard Basangwa and Innocent Media don lethal boots with Allan Mugalu, Joseph Sseremba and Tonny Atukunda running the show in the midfield.

For the Venoms, usual suspects Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Usama Arafat and Karim Watambala will be key.

What the coaches say

Badru Kaddu – NEC head coach

“Our camp is okay and the players understand the importance of the game. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best and the players are in good spirit.

Since the last time we met, we have been invincible and not conceding goals and if we maintain this, we shall get a good result

Jacky Ivan Minnaert – Vipers head coach

“Every game is very important for us. We want to continue our beaten run not only in the league but the cup as well. We have so many objectives and one of them is to go the final of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

“Tomorrow is win or win and nothing else and what matters is getting into the semi-final.”

Key

The post NEC and Vipers set for showdown in Uganda Cup last eight appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Government of Uganda has granted the release of funds for FUFA to work on naturalisation of players to feature for Uganda Cranes in the near future.

FUFA President Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo while appearing on CBS FM Akaati Kebyemizannyo show on Wednesday, confirmed Government will release 1.5 Billion shillings for naturalisation of players.

“I want to confirm that we have had engagements with Government for naturalisation of players who have attachment with Uganda but have been raised in Europe and elsewhere. The money we asked for is 1.5 Billion and that will be given to us,” he stated.

Magogo indicated that several countries across Africa and beyond have taken this route to identify players who come with better quality.

“When we told the public we want this money, there was a lot of discontent but I want to tell you that this is what other countries like Morocco, Senegal and others are doing. If you look at our National Team currently, you can see that there are several players like Elio Capradossi who who have agreed to play for Uganda and you can see that their quality is better.”

The FUFA President also revealed that the process has been ongoing and there are several players they are talking to.

“ If you look at what other countries are investing, the money we asked for is way less but we have been doing work behind curtains and there are negotiations going on. FUFA appointed Mr. Mathias Ndawula who moves across Europe to try and identify players that have attachment to Uganda. Hopefully, by the next international window in June, we might see some new faces.”

Devine Mukasa, Arthur Okonkwo, Bashir Humphreys and Joshua Muwana are some of the players that have attachment to Uganda.

The post Government okays money for naturalisation of players to feature for Uganda Cranes appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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.