Football

Sand Cranes sharpen focus, Charles Batibwe vows to repay faith ahead of Burundi AFCON Qualifier

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2026

The Uganda Sand Cranes ramp up preparations for a high-stakes Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double header against Burundi, and Ntugasaze FC star Charles Batibwe has issued a rallying cry, vowing to repay the immense faith the national technical team has placed in him.

Currently undergoing rigorous residential training at Bunjako Beach in Buwama, Mpigi District, the national beach soccer team is leaving nothing to chance as they eye a coveted ticket to the continental finals in Senegal. For Batibwe, joining the national camp is more than an opportunity to pull on the national colours; it is a personal mission to justify his selection.

“I’m glad to be here in support of the national team,” Batibwe remarked during camp. “As we prepare ourselves for the upcoming qualifiers against Burundi, we are here to give all our best.”

Reflecting on his breakthrough call-up, the forward emphasised his gratitude towards the coaching staff. “I personally am happy to be here, and I can’t thank my coaches enough, who believed in me to be here. So, I can’t let them down.”

Head coach Akabwai has reported overwhelmingly positive responses from the players as the team puts in the hard yards at Bunjako Beach. Crucially, the camp boasts a clean bill of health with zero injury concerns, handing Uganda a fully fit squad as they intensify their tactical drills for the Burundi challenge.

The upcoming assignment is a titanic two-legged battle with a definitive objective: the aggregate winner secures passage to the main Beach Soccer AFCON tournament hosted by Senegal.

Uganda will hit the road for the crucial first leg in Burundi on October 10, before returning home to host the decisive second leg at Bamboo Gardens, Kasanje, on October 18.

With the first leg now only days away, Batibwe insists that maximum commitment is non-negotiable if the Sand Cranes are to emerge victorious on aggregate and keep their continental dreams alive.

“So, for them, we can explode it and give all our best,” Batibwe asserted, summing up the collective mood in camp.

The post Sand Cranes sharpen focus, Charles Batibwe vows to repay faith ahead of Burundi AFCON Qualifier appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run

Published

12 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

12 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

12 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