A championship berth slipped through their grasp, but University of the Philippines still found something to take pride in after a hard-fought campaign in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament.

UP saw its title hopes come to a heartbreaking end, falling 2-3 to De La Salle University in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw through extra time last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

The Fighting Maroons settled for third place, marking their first podium finish since Season 86. However, the result also extended their wait for a return to the championship stage, which they last reached in Season 78 when they captured the gold medal.

“Siguro ‘yong thoughts ko is kayang-kaya namin ‘yong bawat teams na lumalaro sa UAAP,” said UP fourth-year midfielder Hannah Muros.

“Siguro nagkulang lang kami sa pag-finish at saka ‘yong kung tiwala talaga namin sa bawat isa na talagang kaya namin pursigihin ‘yong kailangan naming pursigihin. At siguro sobrang thankful ko din sa teammates ko kasi hindi sila bumitaw hanggang dulo.”

One of the Fighting Maroons’ graduating players, Muros had opportunities to put the game away for UP during extra time. She also converted her spot-kick in the shootout, keeping her team’s hopes of forcing a rubber match alive.

But despite her and her teammates’ best efforts, La Salle proved more composed in the decisive moments. The Lady Booters eventually secured another shot at the championship against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a rematch of last season’s finals.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“Siguro nagkulang, may kulang pa rin ako kahit kaunti. Kasi kung na-shoot ko lang ‘yong mga moments na ‘yon, siguro ‘yon ‘yong mag-bo-boost sa’min na kayang-kaya namin ‘yong kalaban, at siguro ‘yon magiging momentum na hindi na sila makaka-score,” said Muros. “Pero siyempre, hindi naman natin masasabi kasi bilog ‘yong bola.

“Talagang kalmado lang ako during the penalty shootout at binawi ko lang din ‘yong mga hindi naka-shoot ng penalty. Kasi at the end of the day, kami-kami lang din ang magtutulungan sa bawat isa.”

The penalty shootout reflected the Fighting Maroons’ collective effort throughout the season, as the players continued to support one another even in the face of adversity.

While not every campaign ends in triumph, some provide the foundation for something greater. Returning to the podium after an 11-match campaign is an achievement worth celebrating for a UP side that gave everything it had until the very end.

Whether Muros will return for Season 90 remains to be seen, as the midfielder is still eligible to play one more year. Regardless of her decision, she can look back on this campaign as a memorable chapter spent alongside her sisters-in-arms in the maroon jersey.

“Ni-lo-look forward ko na mag-go-grow pa ‘yong team. Alam ko nag-gro-grow kami as a whole team, pero alam ko na mayro’n at mayro’n pa ring malalabas ‘yong bawat isa sa’min,” said the Holistic Education & Development Center alumna.

“During this year, masasabi ko na talagang naging masaya ako nang sobra-sobra. ‘Yong growth na hinahanap namin last year… Nakuha naman namin ‘yong bagay na ‘yon, at sobrang saya ko everytime na magkakasama kami kasi alam ng bawat isa na magsasaluhan at magsasaluhan kami.”

The post Hannah Muros finds pride in UP’s podium finish despite heartbreaking exit appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take East African nations in different directions this weekend, with Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan preparing for a demanding round of Pamoja qualifiers against some of Africa’s established football sides.

For the three tournament co-hosts, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, qualification is already secured. However, that does not take away the importance of the November fixtures, particularly for Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, who will be looking to use the matches to build competitive rhythm ahead of hosting the continental showpiece.

For Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, the assignment is different. They remain in the hunt for places at the finals and will be looking to make the most of the November international window.

Hoima City Stadium is set for a special evening on Saturday as Uganda Cranes welcome Botswana’s Zebras in the first of two meetings in four days in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. 

The Cranes will host the visitors on November 14, with kick-off at 7 p.m EAT, before travelling to Gaborone for the return leg at the National Stadium on Tuesday, November 17, at 10 p.m EAT. 

Uganda head into the Group H double-header at the top of the standings with four points from two matches, while Botswana are second on two points, ahead of Tunisia and Libya. 

Although Uganda have already booked their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania, the two fixtures provide an opportunity to build combinations, strengthen team chemistry and fine-tune the squad ahead of the tournament. 

Beyond the football, Saturday’s game will be an emotional occasion as former captain Khalid Aucho receives an official international send-off following his retirement announcement in October, giving Ugandan fans an opportunity to celebrate a player who has served the national team with distinction.

Uganda will also take confidence from their recent meetings with Botswana, having won both encounters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers without conceding. 

The Cranes claimed a 1-0 home victory at Namboole in June 2024 before repeating the scoreline away in Francistown in October 2025, when Jude Ssemugabi’s header secured the points. They will now be hoping to extend that winning run in front of their home supporters before travelling to Botswana for the second meeting. Fans planning to be part of the occasion at Hoima City Stadium can purchase tickets online through FUFA, with Ordinary Lower going for UGX 20,000, Ordinary Upper at UGX 30,000 and VIP tickets costing UGX 150,000.

The other fixtures offer several interesting battles, with Kenya taking on South Africa, Tanzania facing Nigeria, Rwanda meeting Mali, Burundi playing Zambia and South Sudan travelling to Angola.

Kenya face South Africa in double-header

Kenya’s Harambee Stars will have a familiar face on the opposing bench when they take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a Group D double-header.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, a former South African international and Bafana Bafana striker, will lead Kenya against his home country in two encounters that offer an interesting tactical contest against Pitso Mosimane’s side.

The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, with kick-off at 6pm CAT. The two sides will meet again four days later, on November 17, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, where the return fixture starts at 7pm EAT.

South Africa head into the contest in much better qualifying form, having collected maximum points from their opening two matches.

Under newly re-appointed coach Mosimane, Bafana Bafana started with a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Guinea on September 26 before producing an emphatic 5-0 win against Eritrea at a neutral venue in Cairo, Egypt, on September 30.

Youngster Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in the first half, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh added their names to the scoresheet after the break.

The results have left South Africa top of Group D with six points, seven goals scored and only one conceded.

Kenya, meanwhile, have had a less convincing start. The Harambee Stars opened with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea on September 26 before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Guinea on October 1. Serhou Guirassy scored the only goal in the 32nd minute in Conakry.

The East Africans have managed just one point from their opening two matches, leaving them third in the group, level with Eritrea but ahead on goal difference.

However, Kenya’s position comes with an important qualification difference. As one of the three co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, they are already assured of a place at the 2027 finals.

The remaining Group D teams are fighting for just one available qualification place, which will go to the highest-finishing side among South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea.

For McCarthy, the November matches offer valuable opportunities to test his squad against strong opposition and continue building towards the tournament on home soil.

Kenya will conclude their group campaign in March 2027, travelling to Eritrea on March 24 before hosting Guinea in Nairobi on March 28.

Tanzania face Nigeria as Super Eagles seek recovery

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars will have their work cut out when they face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a Group L double-header.

The first encounter will be played on Friday, November 13, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, starting at 7pm EAT. The return match follows on November 17 at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm EAT.

Tanzania have already secured their place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, but their opening results in the qualifiers have not been particularly encouraging.

The Taifa Stars suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Guinea-Bissau in their opening match and have collected just one point from two games, leaving them at the bottom of Group L.

Nigeria, despite having a stronger start on paper, are also under pressure to rediscover their consistency.

The Super Eagles, coached by Eric Chelle, opened their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on September 25.

After conceding in the 16th minute, debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored on either side of half-time to turn the game around and give Nigeria a winning start.

But that confidence was quickly checked when they travelled to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. Goals from Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló condemned Nigeria to a surprising 3-0 defeat, handing Chelle his first competitive loss in charge.

Nigeria now sit second in the group with three points, four behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have played three matches and collected seven points. Madagascar have two points, while Tanzania have one.

With only one qualification place available to the non-host nations, Nigeria cannot afford another poor result if they are to keep pace with Guinea-Bissau.

Their task has also been complicated by the absence of striker Victor Osimhen and midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, who will miss the November qualifiers.

For Tanzania, the double-header presents an opportunity to measure themselves against one of Africa’s biggest football nations while continuing preparations for the tournament they will co-host.

Rwanda and Mali set for battle at the top

Rwanda’s Amavubi face a significant test of their growing ambitions when they meet Mali in a Group K double-header between the two sides that have won both their opening matches.

The first leg takes place in Bamako on Friday, November 13, before Rwanda welcome the Eagles to Kigali on Tuesday, November 17.

Both nations have six points from two matches, making the double-header an important opportunity to gain an advantage in a closely contested group.

Rwanda, under returning head coach Stephen Constantine, have enjoyed an encouraging start, scoring five goals and conceding twice in their opening two fixtures.

The Amavubi began with a 3-1 home victory over Liberia at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on September 25.

Abeddy Biramahire gave Rwanda an early lead in the second minute before Leroy Jacques Mickels added another goal in the first half. Joy-Lance Mickels then converted a penalty to complete the victory.

Their second outing proved a tougher examination, but Rwanda showed character to come from behind and beat Cape Verde 2-1 away in Praia on September 29.

After conceding in the fifth minute, Claude Niyomugabo restored parity in the 45th minute before Elie Iradukunda Tatou struck the winner in the 52nd minute.

Mali have been equally impressive under coach Anthony da Silva.

The Eagles opened with a 3-1 victory over Cape Verde at home, with Martial Tia scoring in the fifth minute before Nene Dorgeles took charge of the contest with a brace on either side of half-time. Cape Verde had briefly drawn level before Mali regained control.

They followed that with a disciplined 1-0 away victory over Liberia on September 29, keeping a clean sheet to maintain their perfect record.

Rwanda currently lead Group K on goals scored, having found the net five times compared to Mali’s four. Both sides have a goal difference of plus three.

Cape Verde and Liberia are yet to register a point after losing their opening two matches.

The November meetings could therefore have a major influence on the direction of the group, with Rwanda hoping to protect their position at the top while Mali seek to take control.

Burundi look to turn campaign around against Zambia

Burundi’s Swallows have little room for further mistakes when they face Zambia in a Group I double-header.

The first match will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Friday, November 13, before Burundi host the return fixture at Stade Intwari in Bujumbura on Tuesday, November 17.

Burundi entered the group stage after an impressive preliminary-round performance against Chad, whom they eliminated 8-0 on aggregate in March.

They started with a commanding 4-0 away victory in N’Djamena on March 27, with Jordi Liongola, Bienvenue Kanakimana, Abdoul Karim and Nduwumwe Mossi all scoring.

The Swallows completed the job with another 4-0 win in Bujumbura on March 31. Kanakimana scored twice, while Justin Girumugisha and Abdoul Karim added the other goals.

However, the group stage has presented a different challenge.

Burundi opened with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Togo on September 25 after Karim Dermane scored in the 17th minute.

They responded with a spirited performance against Algeria on September 29, taking a two-goal lead before eventually settling for a 2-2 draw at home.

That leaves them bottom of Group I with one point from two matches, having managed one draw and one defeat.

Zambia, on the other hand, have three points and occupy second position.

Chipolopolo lost their opening match 3-1 away to Algeria before recovering with a 2-0 home victory over Togo on September 29.

Algeria lead the standings with four points, while Zambia and Togo are level on three. Burundi are bottom with one point.

Unlike the groups containing the tournament co-hosts, Group I offers two automatic qualification places, meaning the top two teams will progress to the finals.

Zambia will be hoping to take advantage of their meetings with Burundi under coach George Lwandamina, although injuries to key attackers Patson Daka, Lameck Banda and Gamphani Lungu have presented challenges.

After the November double-header, Zambia will finish their group campaign in March 2027 with a home match against Algeria before travelling to face Togo.

South Sudan face difficult assignment in Angola

South Sudan’s Bright Stars will travel to Angola on Saturday, November 14, knowing they need a much-improved performance to revive their Group B campaign.

The match is scheduled for 7pm, with Angola looking to use home advantage to strengthen their position among the group’s leading teams.

South Sudan reached the group stage after overcoming Djibouti in the preliminary round, winning 4-1 on aggregate.

They had an impressive 4-0 home victory in Juba before losing the return leg 1-0, which was enough to secure progression.

Their fortunes have since taken a worrying turn.

The Bright Stars lost their opening group match 2-1 away to Malawi in Lilongwe before suffering an even heavier 5-0 defeat against Egypt at Juba National Stadium.

After two matches, South Sudan have no points, having scored once and conceded seven goals. They sit bottom of the group with a goal difference of minus six.

Angola, meanwhile, have given themselves a solid platform with four points from their opening two matches.

The Palancas Negras began with a respectable 0-0 draw away to seven-time African champions Egypt in Cairo on September 25 before claiming a 3-1 home victory over Malawi in Luanda on October 6.

Felício Milson opened the scoring in the third minute, captain Mabululu added a second in the 38th minute and substitute Miro completed the scoring in the 71st minute. Malawi’s consolation came through a Kialonda Gaspar own goal.

Angola sit second in Group B with four points, level with leaders Egypt but trailing on goal difference. Malawi are third with three points, while South Sudan remain without a point.

With no tournament co-host in Group B, the top two teams will qualify automatically for the finals.

Angola will therefore be keen to collect all three points against South Sudan and strengthen their grip on a qualification position.

DR Congo extend perfect run against Sierra Leone

Elsewhere, DR Congo continued their impressive campaign in Group E with a 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Thursday, November 12, at Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.

The Leopards have now won all three of their opening matches, moving to nine points and strengthening their position at the top of the group.

Yoane Wissa set the tone with an early goal in the fourth minute after being set up by Nathanaël Mbuku.

Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, giving the hosts a comfortable lead at half-time.

DR Congo maintained their control after the break, with Edo Kayembe making it 3-0 in the 58th minute following a pass from Arthur Masuaku.

Sierra Leone refused to go down without a fight and pulled one back through substitute Stephen Bekoe in the 83rd minute, but the visitors could not find another goal.

Sébastien Desabre’s men will now travel to face Sierra Leone in the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17, at 7pm EAT.

With three consecutive victories already secured, the Leopards will be looking to maintain their momentum and move another step closer to the 2027 finals.

The post East Africa faces different tests in AFCON Pamoja race appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Laryea Kingston is not just interested in winning trophies with Uganda’s junior national teams. The Uganda Cubs coach wants to build a generation of players capable of carrying the Uganda Cranes forward, with most of the youngsters expected to break into the senior national team within the next three to four years.

Since his appointment by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) in October 2025, Kingston has enjoyed a remarkable start, guiding Uganda’s junior sides to regional success and securing back-to-back continental and global qualifications.

But for the Ghanaian tactician, the real reward will come when the youngsters he is developing begin making their mark in the senior national team.

“We are not developing just players. The target is for most of them to make it into the Cranes in three, four years’ time to come. I think if you get the foundation right, then the building will be solid,” Kingston said.

He believes Uganda has made a promising start, although he is under no illusion about the challenges involved in turning talented youngsters into established international players.

“And I think we’ve started something very well. It’s not easy, nor is it going to be easy, but we continue to develop these kids,” he added.

Kingston’s early achievements suggest that the foundation is already taking shape.

In October 2026, he guided the Uganda Cubs to the CECAFA U17 Championship title, earning regional honours and automatically securing Uganda’s qualification for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cubs did not stop at lifting the trophy. They also swept the tournament’s individual awards, winning the Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer accolades.

That triumph came after an equally historic achievement in May 2026, when Uganda qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar following an impressive campaign at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Cubs defeated DR Congo 3-0 before overcoming Kingston’s native Ghana in a decisive play-off to book their place at the global tournament.

Yet, rather than allowing those achievements to become isolated moments of celebration, Kingston is determined to make them part of a bigger project.

He oversees Uganda’s U15, U17 and U20 boys’ national teams and wants players to grow within one football philosophy instead of starting afresh every time they move to another age category.

His approach combines attacking, possession-based football with character classes designed to instil discipline, mental strength and the confidence needed to handle the demands of international tournaments.

The U20 team is particularly important in his plans. Kingston sees it as the final stepping stone before players make the jump to the Uganda Cranes and believes keeping successful U17 players together as they progress will help them adjust to the demands of senior football.

The plan includes taking the current generation through U20 CECAFA qualifiers and continental competitions, giving them regular opportunities to compete under pressure.

He is also working with FUFA’s Technical Department to identify and bring together the country’s best young talents.

The scouting approach combines graduates from local academies and clubs such as Vipers SC, KCCA FC and SC Villa with Ugandan youngsters developing in European academies, including Crystal Palace, Brentford and Fulham.

The idea is to create a competitive environment where locally developed players can learn from teammates exposed to different football systems, raising standards across the national teams.

Kingston also wants regular competitive matches and international exposure to become part of the development process rather than relying on short training camps. His belief is that players who experience high-pressure tournaments at 17 and 20 will be better prepared when they eventually reach the senior team.

Interestingly, he is already using the different generations within the junior setup to prepare one another for what lies ahead.

Kingston revealed that Uganda currently has three groups of players: those who recently won the CECAFA U17 Championship, those who secured qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup and a group that has previously experienced the global tournament.

“We have three groups. The one that just won the CECAFA, and then the one that qualified the team for the World Cup. And then we have a few players that have been in the World Cup before,” he explained.

For him, the experience of those who have already played at the World Cup is particularly valuable. They are expected to help set the standards and guide the youngsters who recently secured Uganda’s qualification.

He also hopes some of the newly qualified players will feature in Qatar, allowing them to experience the tournament first-hand before pursuing qualification for another World Cup at the next age level.

“So the ones that have been in the World Cup, they’re setting the tone for the ones that qualify the team to the World Cup now. And then those ones that just qualified also, some of them will make it to the World Cup so that they also have that experience, the World Cup experience. So that when they also qualify for their own World Cup, it won’t be something surprising for them,” he said.

Kingston wants the World Cup to become a familiar environment for Uganda’s youngsters, not an occasion that leaves them overwhelmed by the occasion.

“The environment will be, they will be comfortable in that environment because they’ve experienced it,” he added.

With the CECAFA title secured, qualification for the 2027 U17 AFCON confirmed and a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar already booked, Kingston has given Uganda’s junior football plenty to celebrate.

But his eyes are firmly on the future. He wants the players currently making Uganda proud at junior level to become the backbone of the Uganda Cranes, ensuring that their development does not end when they outgrow the Cubs and Hippos.

The post Kingston: Today’s Cubs, Tomorrow’s Cranes appeared first on Kawowo Sports.