The goalkeeping department in football is one of the most important and delicate positions.

Goalkeepers virtually play a significant role in a football game with the primary objective of shielding the goal area, not to concede any goals.

This season in the FUFA Big League, Uganda’s second tier football division, a goalkeeper, Michael Okiria who features for Lira based Blacks Power football club has stood out.

Okiria has so far has 12 clean sheets as the final bend of the season comes knocking.

His stand out moments have helped Blacks Power not to concede as many goals as they currently lead the standings with 39 points off 21 matches.

He cites personal effort vis-à-vis collective team effort from the entire club for this feat.

“Football is a teamwork sport. We have been able to work as a unit since match day one thus far. The goalkeeping department and other dockets have been able to put together acts in unison. Personally, I keep working hard in training with my teammates and also in matches” Okiria, a former goalkeeper at NEC football club attests.

The goalkeeping department at Blacks Power Football Club also has former Sports Club Villa player Martin Ssenkooto and Emmanuel Odongkara, under goalkeeping coach Joseph Ssempija.

Blacks Power visits Ntugasaze at Kavumba Recreational stadium on Easter Sunday.

The top four clubs will earn direct promotional slots to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

In the same vein, the bottom four shall be relegated down to the respective regional leagues.

FUFA Big League 2025/26 (Match Day 22 Fixtures):

Sunday, 5th April 2026 (*All matches kick-off at 4 PM):

• Kataka Vs CATDA – Mbale City Stadium
• Ntugasaze Vs Blacks Power – Kavumba Recreational Stadium
• Soltilo Bright Stars Vs Mbale Heroes – Maroons stadium, Lugazi
• Kigezi Home Boyz Vs Nebbi Central – Kigezi Al Madina Stadium, Kabale
• Kaaro Karungi Vs Paidha Black Angels – Kyamatte playground, Ntungamo     
• Kiyinda Boys Vs Onduparaka – Bethelem Stadium
• Wakiso Giants Vs Iganga United – Hamz stadium (Nakivubo War memorial grounds)
• Bunyaruguru United Vs Young Elephants – Nyamambuka playground

The post Michael Okiria: Blacks Power’s reliable goalkeeper in the 2025/26 FUFA Big League appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Friday April 3, 2026

• MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo 3pm

NEC host Vipers in a renewal of acquaintances in the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter final at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Friday afternoon.

The two sides have already met twice this season with the Venoms winning at Lugogo before they were held by NEC in the reverse fixture at Kitende.

To get to the stage, NEC overcame fellow premiership side Lugazi 2-0 while Vipers beat Fufa Big League side Iganga United 4-0.

It will be the second time this season that the Venoms play away from home this campaign.

The hosts will hope forwards Muhammad Ssenoga, Richard Basangwa and Innocent Media don lethal boots with Allan Mugalu, Joseph Sseremba and Tonny Atukunda running the show in the midfield.

For the Venoms, usual suspects Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Usama Arafat and Karim Watambala will be key.

What the coaches say

Badru Kaddu – NEC head coach

“Our camp is okay and the players understand the importance of the game. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best and the players are in good spirit.

Since the last time we met, we have been invincible and not conceding goals and if we maintain this, we shall get a good result

Jacky Ivan Minnaert – Vipers head coach

“Every game is very important for us. We want to continue our beaten run not only in the league but the cup as well. We have so many objectives and one of them is to go the final of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

“Tomorrow is win or win and nothing else and what matters is getting into the semi-final.”

Key

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Government of Uganda has granted the release of funds for FUFA to work on naturalisation of players to feature for Uganda Cranes in the near future.

FUFA President Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo while appearing on CBS FM Akaati Kebyemizannyo show on Wednesday, confirmed Government will release 1.5 Billion shillings for naturalisation of players.

“I want to confirm that we have had engagements with Government for naturalisation of players who have attachment with Uganda but have been raised in Europe and elsewhere. The money we asked for is 1.5 Billion and that will be given to us,” he stated.

Magogo indicated that several countries across Africa and beyond have taken this route to identify players who come with better quality.

“When we told the public we want this money, there was a lot of discontent but I want to tell you that this is what other countries like Morocco, Senegal and others are doing. If you look at our National Team currently, you can see that there are several players like Elio Capradossi who who have agreed to play for Uganda and you can see that their quality is better.”

The FUFA President also revealed that the process has been ongoing and there are several players they are talking to.

“ If you look at what other countries are investing, the money we asked for is way less but we have been doing work behind curtains and there are negotiations going on. FUFA appointed Mr. Mathias Ndawula who moves across Europe to try and identify players that have attachment to Uganda. Hopefully, by the next international window in June, we might see some new faces.”

Devine Mukasa, Arthur Okonkwo, Bashir Humphreys and Joshua Muwana are some of the players that have attachment to Uganda.

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