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.

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

• 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 Pressure mounts on Lavagne as Vipers visit Kataka appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

With ambitions to connect young talents with professional clubs and international scouts, Génie 2000 football academy hopes to become a reference point for football development in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.

Oliver Ochieng, Marabou News Agency

Football is more than just a game in Côte d’Ivoire. For many young people, football represents hope, ambition and a chance to build a better future, with the likes of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande serving as reference points for budding footballers.

In Abidjan, the Génie 2000 Football Academy is working to turn that ambition into reality by combining professional football training with discipline and education.

Founded in February 2026 by former Ivorian footballer Seria Ryan Joseph, Génie 2000 aims to nurture the next generation of football talent. Drawing on his experience in Morocco, where he developed his coaching skills, Joseph said he hopes to introduce a structured approach to training and help young players reach professional levels.

The academy welcomes boys aged 15 to 19, focusing not only on technical ability and tactical awareness, but also on discipline and academic achievement.

“Génie 2000 is a state of mind because we already have a strong, positive mentality here. The community has inspired us to adopt the name Génie 2000 because our goal is to bring out football geniuses and nurture exceptional talent in the sport,” Joseph said in French.

“My experience in Morocco was really good because I met legends such as Mustapha Aji, Youssef Aji and Benazia. Through that experience, I became a professional footballer in Morocco. It also gave me the opportunity to train as a coach. With all the knowledge I had acquired, I asked myself: ‘Why not come to Côte d’Ivoire and establish an academy, an association and a club called Génie 2000 Football Club?’”

His greatest wish, he said, is to see players compete in the Ivorian league and gain international recognition, with players such as Didier Drogba and other prominent football figures from the West African country having set the pace.

“That is why I am focused on providing young people with quality training, equipping them with knowledge, developing their football skills and educating them. I also encourage them to go to school because, without education, there is no football. Football in Côte d’Ivoire presents a great opportunity because we are one of Africa’s major footballing nations. We have already won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, and we have great legends here in Côte d’Ivoire who are passing on their knowledge and experience.”

15-year-old Adriano Asunkuran is one of the players at the academy. He wants to become the best footballer in Africa, following in the footsteps of Ivorian greats Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. He said his grandfather’s dream of becoming a professional footballer was cut short by a knee injury.

“My grandfather had a problem in his knee and he tells me that I have the power to do it – to become a professional footballer. And I trust him, and I want to become a professional footballer in Africa or the whole world.”

With ambitions to connect young talents with professional clubs and international scouts, Génie 2000 hopes to become a reference point for football development in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.

For the young players, the journey starts on the training ground, but the dream reaches far beyond it: to become professionals and, one day, wear the orange, white and green of the Ivorian national team.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post Ivorian academy nurtures future stars appeared first on Sports Network Africa.