Saturday October 17, 2026

• Hoima City stadium 4pm

Kitara will be desperate to take first leg advantage when they host African giants Al Ahly of Egypt in the first leg second preliminary round at Hoima City stadium on Saturday.

The Ugandan flag bearers eliminated Mogadishu City of Somalia 4-1 while the Egyptian side got a bye to this stage.

This will be arguably the biggest game in Kitara’s history as they face a 119-year Cairo based club that are record Caf Champions League winners.

Despite the difference in stature, Kitara coach Wasswa Bbosa believes his boys can make history by stunning ‘the club of the century’.

“We respect our opponents. They are an organized side that knows how to handle such tests, but we are playing at home,” said Bbosa. “The boys are well motivated and we believe they will get a positive result that pushes us to the next stage,” he added.

“We have prepared very well for this game. The squad is in great shape, and we have a good balance of experience that is ready to go toe to toe with our opponents. Our fans should expect an entertaining match at Hoima City Stadium.”

Bbosa has a fully fit squad to choose from which is not the case for Al Ahly’s Hussein Amouta who has many players missing especially in the defensive areas.

Amr El-Gazar and Moroccan left-back Youssef Belammari sidelined long term while Yasser Ibrahim has also yet to recover from a thigh injury sustained before the international break.

That leaves Hady Reyad, Yassin Marie and Moroccan defender Achraf Dari as the club’s only fit central defenders.

It is in attack that Amouta has several options with Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed “Zizo”, Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki and forward Soufiane Benjdida as well as Mounsef Bakrar all available.

Key Stat:

Al Ahly have failed to win any of their last visits to Uganda – drawing 1-1 with Nile in 1981 and then goalless with SC Villa 2005 as well as lost 2-0 to KCCA in 2018.

Kitara Probable XI: Kibirige (GK), Namaasa, Aheebwa ©, Lumu, Jjuuko, Misi, Zaga, Wahab, Kaddu, Kalema, Kabon.

The post Kitara targets history against African giants Al Ahly appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Uganda Cubs coach Laryea Kingston wants his players to maintain their progress and deliver over 90 minutes when they face Ethiopia in Saturday’s semi-final of the CECAFA U-17 Zonal Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

With a place in the final and qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at stake, Kingston is confident his side is ready for the challenge but insists they must respect their opponents and stick to their game plan.

“[With] a ticket to the AFCON [at stake], both teams are coming up to make sure they get a win in that game,” Kingston said ahead of Saturday’s clash at Kigali Pelé Stadium.

“But the boys are looking sharp. We have a very good game plan, and we believe it can work. If it doesn’t, we try to find other solutions. Looking at the squad and the preparation we’ve done, we have confidence.”

Uganda finished top of Group B with four points, ahead of Ethiopia on goal difference. The Cubs opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of Burundi before drawing 1-1 with Ethiopia on October 14.

Ethiopia also collected four points, having beaten Burundi 3-0 before sharing the spoils with Uganda. Zemichael Minyahel, Akrem Abduselam and Abdisa Gutema scored against Burundi, while Minyahel was on target against the Cubs.

Arnold Kayemba scored Uganda’s equaliser in the group-stage meeting, setting up another contest between the sides, this time with a place in the final at stake.

Kingston is keen to avoid a repeat of Uganda’s slow start against Ethiopia in last year’s semi-final, when the Cubs eventually won 3-0.

“Last year was very competitive. We did not start the game well. The first half wasn’t too good. In the second half, we started controlling the game the way we wanted,” he said.

“But we want to control the game throughout the 90 minutes. We don’t want to have a game of two halves.”

The coach believes Uganda have improved since the start of the tournament and hopes that progress will show against Ethiopia.

“When you look at the two games we played, you can see improvement in the performance. Individually, the players are growing, and collectively, the team is much better,” he said.

“Hopefully, tomorrow we can improve from where we stopped in our last game against Ethiopia.”

Despite Uganda’s strong record against their opponents, Kingston expects a tough encounter and has warned his players not to underestimate Ethiopia.

“They have a very good team and have played very good football. We’ve managed to see all their games. They are a team that can hurt any opponent, so we need to be very careful,” he said.

“But we don’t have to think about them too much. We’re thinking about the game plan we’re bringing on board. We’ll see how they deal with it.”

Five Cubs make group-stage best XI

Uganda’s progress has also been reflected in the selection of five players in the group-stage best XI, an achievement Kingston believes rewards their hard work. These five players are left-back Ukasha Jemba, midfielders Henry Muhoozi and Arnold Kayemba and forwards Nicholas Kawooya alongside Junior Ofoyrwth.

The coach credited the players for their commitment during preparations and urged them to maintain their standards as the tournament enters its decisive stage.

“The decision is well respected, and I give credit to the boys who made it. It doesn’t come easy,” he said.

“We know what we took them through: the sleepless nights, waking up in the early hours and working hard in training. I think it’s paying off. I congratulate them and urge them to keep going.”

Kingston wants more players to earn individual recognition but insists the team’s main priority is securing qualification.

“We have two more games to the final, but tomorrow’s game is very important. We expect them to maintain their positions and hope to see more players in the final XI, winning individual honours and also as a team,” he said.

“I’m happy to see them in the best XI. If we win the semi-final, that means we’re back at the AFCON U-17.”

Cubs target third straight AFCON qualification

Beyond Saturday’s match, Kingston wants Uganda to establish consistency at major youth tournaments.

The Cubs are targeting their third consecutive U-17 AFCON qualification after reaching last year’s continental tournament and progressing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Those achievements have raised expectations, and Kingston knows the team must maintain that standard.

“It’s very important. We need consistency in our performance and in appearing at all the major competitions,” he said.

“Last year, we were at the AFCON and also made it to the World Cup. So we’ve already raised the bar to that level.”

The coach believes Ugandans now expect the Cubs to return to the continental stage and says the technical team is working hard to deliver.

“I believe Ugandans will not accept anything other than repeating it. We have pressure on ourselves. A lot of people expect us to get back to the AFCON, and I would love to see the team there again,” he said.

“It’s very important to keep appearing in major competitions because this is a development group. The more you appear in major competitions, the better for the country.

“We’re putting pressure on ourselves because that’s the bar. We need to get there or go above it.”

Alongside qualification, these two sides have the top scorers of the tournament so far with Uganda’s Arnold Kayemba and Sebastian Fisher Quinn on 3 goals, while Zemicheal Minyahel of Ethiopia comes in third with two goals. 

History favours Uganda

Uganda have enjoyed success against Ethiopia in previous CECAFA youth competitions.

In December 2020, the Cubs beat Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-final at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, with Oscar Mawa scoring twice and Ivan Irinimbabazi adding the other goal.

Uganda also won a regional final listed in the historical record as November 2019/December 2018, beating Ethiopia 3-1 through Samson Kasozi and Idd Abdul Wahid, who scored twice. Mintesnot Wakjira scored Ethiopia’s goal.

Ethiopia, however, claimed a 1-0 victory in the August 2018 CAF U-17 Regional Qualifiers group stage at Chamanza Stadium in Tanzania, with Wakjira scoring in the 13th minute.

Last year, Uganda again beat Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-final, with Lorian Lwesibawa scoring twice and Thomas Ogema adding the third goal at Abebe Bikila Stadium.

The latest meeting ended 1-1, showing the challenge awaiting the Cubs on Saturday. In the other semi-final, hosts Rwanda will face Somalia.

Three teams will qualify for the 2027 U-17 AFCON from the CECAFA zone. The three group winners and the best second-placed team advance to the semi-finals, while the finalists and the winner of the third-place play-off secure the available tickets.

The post Kingston demands consistency as Uganda Cubs face Ethiopia appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Ramil Bation III converted a penalty to propel defending champion University of the Philippines to a narrow 1-0 victory over University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The fourth-year forward broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, capping the Fighting Maroons’ relentless pressure on the Red Warriors’ defense.

Josh Garces had an opportunity in the buildup but was brought down by Carlo Gomez, earning UP a penalty that Bation calmly converted.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

The Fighting Maroons continued to press forward, with Cian Galsim causing problems down the flank. However, his deliveries failed to find their intended targets as UP struggled to capitalize on its attacking opportunities.

Despite securing all three points, UP head coach Popoy Clarino admitted that his team fell short of expectations, particularly in terms of decision-making and teamwork.

“We didn’t play to the standards that we wanted. We were very selfish in our decisions and our actions. We need to learn how to be more, to be selfless, to be of service to others first, to make sure that every action I make, my teammate can get better. If we play like that against FEU, we will have a hard time,” said Clarino, a fourth-year head coach.

“We need to be more conscious of making sure that every action that we make, my teammate will benefit from it,” he added.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

UP remained in third place with seven points and a goal difference of plus-two. The Fighting Maroons will next face Far Eastern University on Sunday at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Finals.

Adamson University and De La Salle University continued to occupy the top two spots in the standings with 12 and nine points, respectively, with two matchdays remaining in the first round.

Despite suffering another defeat, UE showed renewed resolve on the defensive end, with Jhenard Cimat leading the Red Warriors’ resistance.

UE will continue its search for a breakthrough victory when it takes on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

The post Bation’s penalty lifts UP past UE, remains third in UAAP men’s football appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.