Football

NEC FC honors top performers at season-end dinner, Atukunda wins MVP gong

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Despite joining midway the season, Tonny Atukunda was named NEC’s player of the season and awarded a dinner organised by the club at Silver Springs, Bugolobi.

The midfielder joined the Bugolobi based side from record league champions SC Villa in the secondary window and featured in all but one match.

Atukunda, Sseremba, Basangwa, Kulanga and Ssebwalunyo pose with their accolades Credit: John Batanudde

His arrival coincided with the club’s return to form in which they went over 18 matches unbeaten until they fell to Villa and Calvary in the last two outings.

“I feel excited, especially because I had not spent a lot of time here and I had started my season slowly before joining NEC FC,” Atukunda said after receiving the award from club Vice President, Maj. Edgar Ankwasa.

“It has been through hard work and patience. I have always strived to remain consistent and stay on the field of play. There is a lot of teamwork here,” he elaborated.

Other award winners included Hannington Ssebwalunyo who bagged both the Fans’ players of the season and golden glove, Richard Basangwa, another mid-season arrival took him the best forward gong while Joseph Sseremba was awarded with the midfielder of the season for the club.

Emmanuel Kulanga’s volley over SC Villa in the 4-1 defeat won him the goal of the season accolade and Warren Bbule was named best defender.

Following an abysmal start to the season that saw Hussein Mbalangu lose his job to Badru Kaddu, NEC arrested the bad form to finish 5^th on the log with 53 points.

Benjamin Ochan and Paul Mucureezi were celebrated Credit: John Batanudde

On the same dinner, NEC FC bid farewell to midfielder Paul Mucureezi and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan. Ochan had announced his retirement after the first round of the season, while Mucureezi parted ways with the club under unknown circumstances and both were appreciated.

NEC SUMMARY OF 2025/26 SEASON AWARDS

Most Valuable Player: Tonny Atukunda
Fan’s Player of the season: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
Golden Glove: Hannington Ssebwalunyo
Best Defender: Warren Bbule
Midfielder of the season: Joseph Sseremba
Best Forward: Richard Basangwa
Goal of the season: Emmanuel Kulanga

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Football

Teen Cranes travelling squad to Kenya named

Published

12 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Coach Sheryl Botes Ulanda has named a squad of 20 players to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for the return leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Uganda will face Kenya on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium in the return leg of the second round of the qualification phase. The first leg in Kampala ended in a one-all draw.

The Teen Cranes are expected to fly out on Thursday and Botes is optimistic her charges can get a good result away in Nairobi.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Kenya will proceed to the final qualifying stage where either Tanzania or South Africa.

Travelling squad

Goalkeepers

Sharifah Kizito Namutebi – Kampala Queens FC and Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya – St. Noa Girls FC.

Defenders

Ritah Anitah Nambuusi – Bukedea Comprehensive School, Martha Babirye – St. Noa Girls FC, Jovia Nakirya – Rines SS WFC, Tahia Nantege – Isra Soccer Academy, Phionah Arach – Rines SS WFC and Vicky Atyeronimungu – Amus College WFC.

Midfielders

Tracy Nabalanzi – URA Ladies FC, Angel Gerevans Dominick – SIA International WFC, Lydia Nameseruka – Isra Soccer Academy, Brenda Nassaka – St. Noa Girls FC, Justine Ayerango – Rines SS WFC, Joan Namakula Aketogwanga – Isra Soccer Academy, Giovanna Aketogwanga – St. Noa Girls FC, Cynthia Kirenga – URA Ladies FC, Grace Kawino – SIA International WFC and Immaculate Acen – SIA International WFC.

Strikers

Shadia Nabirye – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC and Monica Buteme – Bugisu High School.

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Football

Wasswa Bbosa: Kitara’s gaffer ought to build on great run of form ahead of final against SC Villa | 2025/26 Stanbic Uganda Cup

Published

12 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Bryce Mullins

2025-2026 Stanbic Uganda Cup final:

Saturday, 30th May 2026
Kitara Vs Sports Club Villa
FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru (3 PM)

Kitara Football Club head coach Wasswa Bbosa is optimistic prior to the Stanbic Uganda Cup grand finale against Sports Club at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru this Saturday.

The venue was switched by Federation of Uganda Federation Associations (FUFA) from FUFA Stadium Kadiba to FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on request of Kitara Football Club.

Addressing the media during the official pre-match press conference at Kati-Kati Restaurant along Lugogo By-Pass, Bbosa spoke of the approach to the game.

“We shall play as a team in this final. We have a different approach for every game we have played. I believe the best prepared team will carry the day.” Bbosa hinted.

Great performance:

Bbosa hinted that they will build onto the great vein of form in the championship where they have scored 13 goals so far and conceded just once.

“ We have conceded just one goal and scored 13 goals. We are determined to keep the chase. We have prepared very well. Every team that reaches the final anticipates victory, just like we do” Bbosa added.

Kitara targets their second triumph in the Uganda Cup after the success in the tourney during the 2023-2024 edition at the Muteesa II Wankulukuku stadium.

Kitara’s head coach Wasswa Bbosa (Left) and Sports Club Villa head coach Zeljko Kovacevic addressing the media at Kati-Kati Restaurant, along Lugogo By-pass, Kampala on Thursday, 28th May 2026.

At the same press conference, Sports Club Villa head coach Zeljko Kovacevic predicted a tough final.

“We expect a difficult game but shall play with confidence. The approach will be different from the last games; we shall go for it. The strength of the opponent (Kitara) is experience with good players. We are playing a very good team with experience and coach (Wasswa Bbosa). We anticipate a very difficult game but we shall work hard.We shall prepare two or three options in every department coming to the final. Depending on the opponent, we shall select the players who will suit the final as we need it at all costs. The playing surface will not matter. The opponent is the same.” The Serbian remarked.

The Jogoos eye the 10th title after success in 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2009 and the last one in 2015.

The Uganda Cup competition has been played since 1971 and remains the most prestigious knock out tournament on the land.

FUFA will confirm the match officials for this final.

For starters, the winner between Kitara and SC Villa will represent the country at the CAF Confederation Cup.

The post Wasswa Bbosa: Kitara’s gaffer ought to build on great run of form ahead of final against SC Villa | 2025/26 Stanbic Uganda Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Zeljko Kovacevic: SC Villa’s head coach anticipates tough final against Kitara, eyes glory | 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup

Published

12 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

2025-2026 Stanbic Uganda Cup final:

Saturday, 30th May 2026
Kitara Vs Sports Club Villa
FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru (3 PM)

The long awaited grand climax of the 2025-2026 Stanbic Uganda Cup happens this Saturday, 30th May 2026 at the FUFA Technical Centre between Kitara and Sports Club Villa.

These two clubs battle for supremacy in the knock out competition that has been played since 1971.

The Jogoos eye the 10th title after success in 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2009 and the last one in 2015.

Kitara’s only Uganda Cup title came in 2023-2024 season and will therefore be targeting the second trophy.

Head coach for Sports Club Villa Zeljko Kovacevic addressed the media in the official pre-match press conference at Kati Kati Restaurant, along Lugogo By-Pass in Kampala on Thursday, 28th May 2026.

The Serbian was flanked by the Kitara head coach Wasswa Bbosa as he eyes a great finale.

“We expect a difficult game but shall play with confidence. The approach will be different from the last games; we shall go for it.” Kovacevic remarked.

“The strength of the opponent (Kitara) is experience with good players. We are playing a very good team with experience and coach (Wasswa Bbosa). We anticipate a very difficult game but we shall work hard.We shall prepare two or three options in every department coming to the final. Depending on the opponent, we shall select the players who will suit the final as we need it at all costs. The playing surface will not matter. The opponent is the same.” He added.

Kitara’s Bbosa is also optimistic prior to the finale whose venue was switched by Federation of Uganda Federation Associations (FUFA) from FUFA Stadium Kadiba to FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on request of Kitara Football Club.

Wasswa Bbosa, head coach Kitara Football Club

“We shall play as a team in this final. We have a different approach for every game we have played. I believe the best prepared team will carry the day. We have conceded just one goal and scored 13 goals. We are determined to keep the chase. We have prepared very well. Every team that reaches the final anticipates victory, just like we do” Bbosa revealed.

FUFA will confirm the match officials for this final.

The winner between Kitara and SC Villa will represent the country at the CAF Confederation Cup.

The post Zeljko Kovacevic: SC Villa’s head coach anticipates tough final against Kitara, eyes glory | 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.