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.

Marvin Oshaba marked his NEC FC debut with a goal as the Diehards beat Kigezi Homeboyz 2-0 at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge on Wednesday, earning praise from head coach Badru Kaddu.

The forward, who joined NEC from Maroons FC in September on a three-year deal, scored in the 67th minute to seal the Uganda Premier League victory and keep his new side firmly in the title race.

Allan Mugalu had put NEC ahead in the 35th minute with a powerful header from a corner before Oshaba doubled the lead after the break.

Kaddu was pleased with his players’ determination to collect maximum points away from home, insisting that such performances would be vital in their pursuit of trophies.

“Everyone who wants victory does everything possible to win an away match. We did everything possible and scored in either half. If we continue this way, we can compete and win trophies,” Kaddu said.

Despite facing a side at the bottom of the table, the NEC coach warned against underestimating their opponents.

“One would think a team at the bottom is weak, but in this league, there is no weak team. Kigezi gave us a big challenge, but we managed to get the three points,” he said.

Kaddu was also pleased that his players followed the game plan, although he believes they must improve their finishing.

“My boys stuck to the plan, though we still have a problem executing our chances. But we can build on the three points from Rwamwanja,” he added.

Oshaba’s debut goal was a welcome start for the 27-year-old, who arrived from Maroons after finishing as their leading scorer in the 2026 FUFA Super 8 tournament.

Kaddu expects the forward to offer more than goals, pointing to his ability on the ball and his contribution to the team’s attack.

“Expect a lot from Oshaba. He can score and also play well with the ball. He has shown us a bit of what he can do and the responsibility he carries,” Kaddu said.

“We thought he could score at least three goals, but we can go with that.”

Oshaba had already scored a league goal for Maroons before his transfer, taking his tally for the 2026/27 season to two goals across the two clubs.

Kaddu believes NEC have the quality to challenge the teams above them and urged his players to maintain their ambition.

“We prepared the players to compete this season. Though we still have some teams above us, we can go past them. We are not giving up,” he said with a smile.

The victory lifted NEC to second place with 14 points, level with leaders SC Villa but behind on goal difference. They remain unbeaten after six matches.

Kigezi Homeboyz, meanwhile, stayed bottom with one point and are still searching for their first win of the season.

NEC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo was named Man of the Match after keeping a clean sheet, while forward Fahad Bayo made his first start for the club.

NEC visit BUL FC at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on October 21, while Kigezi Homeboyz host Entebbe UPPC at Rwamwanja on October 22.

The post Oshaba scores on debut, earns praise from head coach Kaddu  appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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.