Football

Four talking points from UPL match day week 24

Published

5 months ago

April 23, 2026

As of April 23, 2026, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race remain evenly poised with four teams firmly in contentions.

The previous match day has had a lot of talking points including Kitara’s faltering form, KCCA’s rejuvenation, Vipers’ momentum, NEC’s defensive solidity, Basangwa’s injury and the desperate fight for survival.

The title race

Vipers players celebrate after scorinng against SC Villa Credit: John Batanudde

The momentum remains with champions and leaders Vipers who ended two-match winless streak against fellow contenders (Kitara and Villa) by winning 2-0 at Buhimba United Saints.

KCCA and SC Villa beat Entebbe UPPC and Lugazi respectively to firmly stay in the race four and seven points behind respectively.

The trio of Vipers, KCCA and SC Villa all won their respective matches.

At the moment, Vipers remain in charge but with games coming thick and thin in the coming weeks, anything can still happen.

Kitara’s profligacy

Kitara players led by Jjuuko must react Credit: John Batanudde

Last week, Vipers had an opportunity to move within a point of Vipers if they had won Kitende.

A few days later, they are trailing the Venoms by seven points after dropping points in that Kitende stalemate, loss at KCCA and a frustrating goalless draw at home to relegation fighting Calvary.

In that period, the Royals have been profligate in front of goal despite fielding all their forwards – Patrick Kaddu, George Ssenkaaba, Muhamad Shaban, Edson Agondze, Kabon Living and Jimmy Kalema among others.

Basangwa injury should open eyes in regards to safety procedures

Rule 39 (medical), section III of the Fufa competitions rules states that ‘It shall be a duty of home team to arrange medical facilitations during FUFA competition matches.

The ambulance at Nakivubo had a flat tyre Credit: John Batanudde

“For the case of the 1st division league matches, a fully equipped ambulance must be available before and during the match,”

Then section IV states that; “Match officials appointed shall inspect and ensure the ambulance is present before and during the match. Should at any one time a need for an ambulance arises and there is no ambulance available, the home team shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.”

In the game between Express and NEC, Richard Basangwa was elbowed in the neck and needed over five minutes on field treatment before the medics advised he needed more attention and rushed to the ambulance.

However, to the shock of everyone, the ambulance was not operational and sadly, had a flat tyre.

Kagawa clebrates with teammates Basangwa and Wandera Credit: NEC FC

It was then that one of the vehicles of the NEC club officials became available and rushed the player to hospital where he was attended to and fortunately, he was treated and has been discharged in a better condition.

That incident should never happen again and should open eyes for all stakeholders in the game.

It is time that ambulances at the match day venues are inspected keenly by officials to ascertain the conditions and whether it is functioning properly.

UPDF’s huge victory over BUL sparks debate but…..

UPDF enhanced their survival chances with a huge 5-2 victory away to BUL who are now winless in four matches.

The win moved the army side to 20 points and are now five points better off the relegation zone.

Though many are questioning results given how the UPDF have struggled for wins this season, people need a reminder that the army side have now won away to the Jinja based side for three seasons in a row.

NEC’s unbeaten stretched

NEC XI Vs URA at Lugogo | Credit: John Batanudde

Following a goalless stalemate with Express, NEC are now unbeaten in 15 premier league matches in a row and over 19 in all competition bar penalty shootouts.

Their last defeat was on December 12 against KCCA and the key to their form lies in the defensive solidity as they have now conceded none in the past nine matches including the goalless draw with Vipers in the Uganda Cup.

The post Four talking points from UPL match day week 24 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Odegbami: Nigerian football has hit rock bottom

Published

21 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Kenny Malone

Nigerian football has reached its “worst time” in history, according to former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who has called for fundamental changes across the country’s football system.

Odegbami made the remarks in an interview with BBC Sport Africa, where he highlighted concerns ranging from the national teams and domestic league to grassroots development, administration and football infrastructure.

His assessment comes as the Super Eagles prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo.

Nigerian football crisis

Odegbami believes the challenges facing Nigerian football extend beyond the recent struggles of the Super Eagles and reflect wider problems within the country’s football structure.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, while the country’s women’s and age-grade national teams, as well as clubs competing in continental competitions, have also experienced setbacks in recent years.

“It has never been this bad in our entire history,” Odegbami told BBC Sport Africa.

The former striker, who was part of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team, also expressed concern about the financial health of the domestic game.

“Our local league is not bringing in money. Something is definitely wrong,” he said.

Nigerian football and leadership

Odegbami also questioned the leadership and administration of Nigerian football, arguing that the problems cannot be addressed simply by changing individuals in positions of authority.

His comments come amid significant developments within the Nigeria Football Federation, with the federation facing discussions over governance and proposed reforms involving the National Sports Commission, FIFA and CAF.

The NFF election scheduled for September 27 has also been suspended as the reform process continues.

For Odegbami, the country needs a football structure capable of addressing problems across every level of the game.

“The pilots are not guiding us well,” he said.

Nigerian football needs a clear pathway

Another major concern raised by Odegbami is the lack of a consistent long-term philosophy for developing Nigerian football.

He questioned the country’s approach to coaching, talent identification and player development, while also pointing to the weakening link between grassroots football, academies, clubs and the national teams.

According to the former international, Nigeria must rebuild the pathway through which young players are identified, developed and eventually integrated into professional football.

That pathway has historically played a major role in producing players who have gone on to make significant contributions to Nigerian and international football.

Nigerian football and fading infrastructure

Odegbami also drew attention to the deterioration of football infrastructure across the country.

He referenced the National Stadium in Lagos, the former Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar as venues that once played important roles in Nigerian football.

He described the damage to the country’s football heritage as “irreparable”.

While the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo has become a regular home venue for the Super Eagles, Odegbami argued that Nigeria once had a wider network of facilities that played a more significant role in the development and promotion of the game.

Nigerian football at a crossroads

The former Super Eagles captain’s comments come at a significant period for Nigerian football, with the national team beginning another AFCON qualifying campaign while discussions over reforms to the administration and development of the sport continue.

Odegbami believes the challenge extends beyond whether the Super Eagles qualify for another major tournament.

He believes Nigeria needs to rebuild the entire football ecosystem, from grassroots development and academies to professional clubs, national teams, administration and infrastructure.

The post Odegbami: Nigerian football has hit rock bottom appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Football

AFCON 2027 PAMOJA QUALIFIERS: Wissa, Mbemba on target as DR Congo see off Equatorial Guinea

Published

21 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa were on target as Democratic Repubic of Congo made a comfortable start to the 2027 AFCON qualification journey.

The Leopards cruised to a 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea in the game played on Thursday at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

Captain Mbemba fired DR Congo into an early lead, jumping highest to node home Arthur Masuaku’s delivery from a corner kick.

The visitors looked for a response and had opportunities as the first half progressed, but DR Congo maintained their advantage into the break.

In the 72nd minute, Wan Bissaka made a dashing move inside before finding Wissa who finished from close range to double the hosts advantage.

DR Congo now lead Group E and will face Zimbabwe on Monday next week. Equatorial Guinea on the other hand will seek redemption against Sierra Leone at home.

The post AFCON 2027 PAMOJA QUALIFIERS: Wissa, Mbemba on target as DR Congo see off Equatorial Guinea appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Sudan beat Tanzania to lift 2026 CECAFA U-20 trophy

Published

21 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Kenny Malone

2026 CECAFA U-20 (AFCON U-20 Qualifiers)

Gold medal match: Sudan 1 (4) – 1 (3) Tanzania
Bronze medal match: Uganda 2-0 Burundi

Sudan are the champions of the 2026 CECAFA U-20 championship.

A tense 4-3 post match penalty victory over hosts Tanzania spurred Sudan to their first triumph in this age group competition.

Normal time of the final played at the Uhuru stadium in Dar-es-salaam had ended goal-less before the extra 30 minutes were played.

Omer Hamd headed home Sudan ahead in the 93rd minute.

Abdulnassir Abdallah equalized after 112 minutes to send the game into shoot-outs.

Sudan held their nerves to win the dramatic shoot-out 4-3 and lift the trophy with gold medals.

Sudan’s captain Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr in action against Tanzania’s Shomvi Rajabu (Left)

Tanzania, before their home fans settled for silver. Both countries will represent the CECAFA zone at next year’s AFCON U-20 finals in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Uganda Hippos finished third to take home bronze.

Uganda overcame Burundi 2-0 in the third-place play-off duel.

A goal in each half from Derrick Ssozi and super substitute Ashraf Kyakuwa spurred the Hippos who are coached by Ghanaian Laryea Kingston to the much desired victory before a handful of fans.

The Uganda delegation returns home on Friday afternoon.

Sudan U-20 and Sudan’s Obai Abdalla (shirt 23) beats Tanzania’s Juma Sagwe during the CECAFA U-20 final at Uhuru stadium, Dar-es-salaam

Team Line Ups:

Sudan XI: Mustafa Mohamed Elgadal Fahoud (G.K), Osama Ameen Abdalla Manzal, Humaida Ahmed Suliman Gumaa, Monzeer Abdo Khmies Tiya, Mutaz Elfaki Elnour Wali, Samaan Amin Alfeil Koda, Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag, Nagmeldin Abdelrahim Teya Toto, Mazin Fadul Albahli Taowr (Captain), Wail Galal Omer Alnour, Obai Abdalla

Subs: Mohamed Abbas Mohamed Abdalla (G.K), Mohamed Dalmugtaba Yagoub Mahmoud Habeeb, Faiz Ahmed Elseed Elfatih, Ibrahim Samani Ibrahim Anglo, Monzer Sarer, Omer Hamd Ghanim Ahmed, Osman Abaker Ismail Alshaikh, Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri, Mohamed Del Mojtaba Musab Elbadawee

Head coach: Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoreldin Ahmed (Sudan)

Tanzania XI: Shabani Bakari (G.K), Ismail Ally, Abdallah Mnumba, Shomvi Rajabu, Arafat Masoud (Captain), Kelvin Revokatus, Ahmad Ahmad, Jofrey Malecha, Juma Sagwe, Juma Abushiri, Suleiman Suleiman

Subs: Edison Matete (G.K), Roony Gerry, Abubakar Othman, Faraji Kayanda, Bashiri Salum Kibaila, Farid Mzalendo, Machela Machela, Joseph Jr. Joseph, Abdulnasser Abdallah

Head coach: Mario Rivera Campesino (Spain)

Match officials: