Football
URA eliminate KCCA, progresses to Uganda Cup semifinals
Uganda Cup 2025/26 (Quarterfinal)
- URA 2 (4) – 2 (2) KCCA
URA Football Club recovered from two goals down to outsmart KCCA FC and march to the semifinals of the 2025/26 Stanbic Uganda Cup at Hamz Stadium (Nakivubo War Memorial grounds) on Saturday.
Normal time of this enticing duel ended 2-goals apiece before the additional 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce any further goals.
During the tense shootout, URA won 4-2 with goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekebba saving two penalties.
Joseph Ssemujju, Captain Moses Aliro Okabo, Ronald Otti and Isma Mugulusi scored for URA in the post-match penalties as Dissan Galiwango missed his shot.
KCCA scored through Joel Sserunjogi and Ashraf Mugume, whilst Herbert Achayi and Enock Walusimbi’s weak shots were saved by goalkeeper Ssekebba.
In the 90 minutes, Saidi Mayanja and captain Herbert Achai scored for KCCA whilst John Innocent Kisolo and Ronald Otti replied for URA under sunny weather conditions.
John Innocent Kisolo scored the first of URA’s goals before defender Ronald Otti got the equaliser on the stroke of full-time with a glancing header.
Mayanja set the ball rolling with an early goal in four minutes to light the ball rolling for the Lugogo-based side.
URA called for a first-half change when midfielder Hudu Mulikyi paved the way for Isma Mugulusi.
KCCA’s Joel Sserunjogi picked up a caution for tripping down Fred Amaku.
Achayi executed a decent free-kick over the wall and past the diving goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekebba to double KCCA’s lead on 54 minutes.
URA called for a double change in the 64th minute. Bruno Bunyaga and Norman Namanya replaced Moses Waiswa and James Penz Begisa, respectively.
The second water break of the game happened at the 70th minute mark before John Innocent Kisolo received a caution for a foul on Jjara.
KCCA called for a double change; Saidi Mayanja paved way for Ashraf Mugume, and Rogers Mugisha came on for Alex Yiga.
On the 84th minute mark, John Innocent Kisolo scored from 45 yards with a long-range shot that evaded goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa to give hope for the tax collectors.
Inside the final five minutes, URA brought on the fresh legs of Olimi Nyarwa Bitanywaine for Fred Amaku.
At the same time, Ivan Ahimisibwe came off for Emmanuel Anyama and Sammy Ssebaduka was rested for Sharifu Ssengendo.
URA pushed numbers upfront in a desperate quest to find the equaliser, a move that handsomely paid off.
Otti out-jumped the KCCA defenders to nod home the equaliser in the third of the four added minutes to send the game to extra time of 30 minutes.
In the second half of extra time, Olimi was stretchered off after a knock and moments later, Ashraf Mugume missed a big moment to bury the game, but his first touch on the ball disappointed him.
KCCA’s Sharifu Ssengendo collided with an opponent and was stretchered off for Hudson Mezui.
Mezui had a cross blocked in the last piece of action of extra time before penalties were taken.
How the penalties unfolded:
URA took the first penalty, scoring through Joseph Ssemujju. Joel Sserunjogi replied for KCCA with the equalizer.
Dissan Galiwango missed his kick, saved by goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa. Herbert Achayi’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekeba.
URA captain Moses Aliro Okabo sent Mugolofa the wrong way to give the tax collectors the lead 2-1.
Ashraf Mugume equalized 2-all. Defender Ronald Otti restored URA’s lead 3-2.
Enock Walusimbi missed his kick, another save by Ssekebba. URA now remained with one chance: to score and win the contest.
Isma Mugulusi did exactly that, sending Mugolofa the wrong way to stroll URA through to the semi-finals.
URA joins Vipers in the semifinals. Vipers defeated NEC 4-3 in post-match penalties after a goalless draw in normal time at the MTN Omondi Stadium.
There were wild celebrations from the URA players, officials and fans in the stands with agony for KCCA.
The third quarter final of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup will happen on Easter Sunday as Kitara hosts Express at the Butema Royal Park in Hoima city.
On Easter Monday, Sports Club Villa travels to Kassanda District to face Happy Boys Kagaba.
Team Line Ups:
URA XI: Muhamad Ssekkeba (G.K), James Penz Begisa, Dissan Galiwango, Ronald Otti, Joseph Bright Vuni, John Innocent Kisolo, Hudu Mulikyi, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Joseph Ssemujju, Moses Aliro Okabo (Captain), Fred Amaku
Subs: Chrispas Kusiima (G.K), Derrick Ochan (G.K), Justine Opiro, Joshua Lubwama Letti, Ibrahim Wamannah, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Norman Namanya, Isma Mugulusi, Bruno Junior Bunyaga, Derrick Kakooza, Godfrey Ssekibengo, Olimi Nyarwa Bitanywaine
Head coach: Hussein Mbalangu
KCCA XI: Mutwalibu Mugolofa (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Filbert Obenchan, Herbert Achayi, Enock Walusimbi, Jjara, Sammy R. Ssebaduka, Joel Sserunjogi, Alex Yiga, Saidi Mayanja, Ivan Ahimbisibwe
Subs: Charles Lukwago, Emojong, Mezui, Emmanuel Anyama, Muhamud Hassan, Etienne Katenga, Alpha Thierry Ssali, Yuan, Rogers Mugisha, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza, Sharifu Ssengendo, Ashraf Mugume
Co-coaches: Brian Ssenyondo & Jackson Magera
Center Referee: William Oloya
The post URA eliminate KCCA, progresses to Uganda Cup semifinals appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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.
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.
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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