Football

Karungi backs new-look Crested Cranes to rise to Zambia challenge

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

Uganda Crested Cranes goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi believes the team is ready to rise to the challenge when they face Zambia in the 2028 Olympic Games Women’s Football Africa Qualifiers on Thursday, October 8.

Uganda will host Zambia at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, with Karungi confident that the Crested Cranes can match their opponents’ intensity and get a positive result.

“It’s been great joining the girls. The girls have been great and amazing,” Karungi said.

The goalkeeper is part of a new-look squad that has welcomed several new players alongside some familiar faces, creating a fresh atmosphere in camp ahead of the important qualifier.

“It’s a new team, new players and new faces, and a few old faces. Everyone is so ready to face Zambia and we are pushing every day to do our best,” she added.

The transition has also brought increased demands from the new head coach, Firew Hailegebreal Asefa, with Karungi revealing that the players have been pushed to raise their standards in training.

“The new coach has been so demanding. Since he is a new coach, everyone is supposed to step up their game. The expectations are high and the gaffer is so demanding,” she said.

Karungi, however, views the coach’s demands as a positive for the team, particularly given his technical approach. “He is a very highly technical guy and that is an advantage to us.”

With the match drawing closer, the goalkeeper says the mood inside the Crested Cranes camp remains positive despite the quality of the opposition.

“The mood is high in the camp. The opposition is strong but I know we can match the energy and get one or two points.”

Uganda will need to produce a disciplined performance against Zambia as the Crested Cranes begin their campaign on home soil, with Karungi believing the combination of fresh faces, high expectations and the team’s current mood can help them compete.

The post Karungi backs new-look Crested Cranes to rise to Zambia challenge appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run

Published

13 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Thursday October 15, 2026

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

URA head coach Jimmy Kintu wants his side to arrest the poor run of form when they host Entebbe UPPC at the Hamz stadium, Nakivubo on Thursday.

The tax men come into the game on the back of three defeats on the bounce and will be desperate to collect maximum points.

“We badly need to end this run,” said Kintu. “There were some positives from the game against KCCA which we lost and we want to build on that,” he added.

Kintu however understands how tough a task it will be against Abdallah Mubiru’s side who he described as well coached.

“They are one of the best well coached sides and it will be a tough game against them but we have no option but try and win.”

It remains to be seen if a lot of changes will be made by the ex-Calvary and Express tactician who started the last match without a recognized no.9.

URA are 15^th with 3 points on the log while the Printers are third with 10 points.

The visitors, who also shared same home, Nakivubo will look to Ambrose Kigozi, Steven Munguchi and Reich Kokolo among others for inspiration.

Elsewhere, Express take on UPDF in the day’s early kick off at the same venue while champions Vipers travel to Kataka.

The post Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

“We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash

Published

13 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Express FC head coach Morley Byekwaso has issued a stern warning to his squad, demanding absolute focus and zero complacency ahead of their Thursday afternoon showdown against UPDF FC at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

The Red Eagles head into the fixture having navigated a brutal opening stretch of the season, which saw them square off against heavyweights c including BUL, KCCA, SC Villa, Kitara, and NEC. While facing the army side might look like a breather on paper, Byekwaso is refusing to buy into the narrative of an “easy fixture.”

The math supports the manager’s caution. Both Express and UPDF sit neck-and-neck on five points, but the army side holds a distinct advantage with a game in hand and a superior position in the standings.

“The fact that we play in the same division means we can’t take them for granted,” Byekwaso told the press. “They are a good side who have the same points as us and are even above us in positioning. That is a clear sign to show they will be no pushovers.”

Squad Boost for the Red Eagles

The former SC Villa and KCCA tactician is expected to shuffle his pack to spark more clinical attacking play. Experienced left-back Shafik Batambuze is tipped to return to the squad after missing out on the hard-fought goalless draw away to NEC.

Additionally, midfielder Nicholas Jjonga is expected to be recalled to the starting eleven after being relegated to the bench in their last outing.

Express will start as slight favorites as they hunt for their first maximum points since their stunning 2-0 victory over rivals KCCA on matchday two. However, UPDF will prove a stubborn nut to crack, despite also registering just a single win from their opening four matches.

Thursday Super Double-Header at Nakivubo

The Express-UPDF clash is just the curtain-raiser for a massive day of Ugandan football, with Hamz Stadium hosting a highly anticipated double-header.

Later in the evening, URA FC will play host to Entebbe UPPC under the floodlights at 7:00 PM.

Meanwhile, defending champions Vipers SC face a tricky away trip as they travel to Bukedea to battle Kataka FC at the BCS Sports Complex.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixtures

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex, Bukedea (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

The post “We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Pressure mounts on Lavagne as Vipers visit Kataka

Published

13 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Denis Lavagne faces a defining moment in his tenure as Vipers SC head coach when his side travels to the Bukedea Comprehensive School (BCS) Sports Complex to take on Kataka FC this Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Maroons FC, the French tactician is under no illusions: anything short of maximum points against the league struggling hosts could cost him his job.

Tactical Shake-up Expected in Bukedea

After drawing heavy criticism for fielding an overly cautious system with five defenders against the Prison Warders, Lavagne is expected to overhaul both his playing system and personnel.

The Venoms are tipped to adopt a more aggressive, attack-minded approach to break down the hosts. Veteran playmaker Farouk Miya is widely expected to be recalled to the starting eleven to inject much-needed creativity. To facilitate this tactical shift, one of the central defenders—Hilary Mukundane, Princewell Tarabina, or Bady Dasylva—will likely drop to the substitute bench.

David vs. Goliath? Not Quite.

On paper, Vipers enter the tie as heavy favourites. The star-studded Kitende-based club sits 10^th on the 18-team log with 7 points, while Kataka languish second from bottom in 17^th place with a mere 2 points from 5 matches.

However, league standings can be deceptive. Kataka remain hunting for their first win of the campaign, but they proved their resilience by holding record champions SC Villa to a chaotic 1-1 draw. Playing on their home turf at the BCS Sports Complex, the underdogs will rely on that same grit to cause an upset against a vulnerable Vipers side.

Nakivubo to Host Thursday Double-Header

Away from the drama in Bukedea, football fans in Kampala are in for a treat as the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo hosts a highly anticipated double-header.

Express FC vs. UPDF FC (4:00 PM): Seven-time league champions Express FC will look to assert their dominance at home against a stubborn UPDF side in the afternoon kick-off.

URA FC vs. Entebbe UPPC (7:00 PM): The Tax Collectors will take center stage under the floodlights in the late evening fixture, welcoming Entebbe UPPC.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixture Summary