Latest news with #VipersSC
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Taddeo Lwanga returns to Vipers SC
Taddeo Lwanga returns to Vipers SC Taddeo Lwanga makes a sensational return to Vipers SC. The Ugandan midfielder, who left the club in 2019, has signed a one-year deal with an option to extend. He becomes the fifth signing of the reigning Uganda Premier League champions this transfer window, following Enock Ssebagala, Odili Chukwuma, Mark Yallah, and Kevin Dasylva Bady. For the past three weeks, Lwanga has been training with the team and has impressed the new head coach, Ivan Jacky Minnaert. After stints in Egypt, Tanzania, Djibouti, and Rwanda, he returns loaded with trophies and experience. A natural leader, he will be a valuable reinforcement in midfield alongside Marvin Youngman, Paul Mbowa, and Frank Katongole. Vipers are counting on him to defend their domestic double and aim high in the CAF Champions League.
CAF
29-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Uganda unveil final 25-man squad for historic CHAN 2024 campaign
Published: Monday, 28 July 2025 Uganda have officially named their final 25-man squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, as excitement builds ahead of the tournament's return to East Africa. Led by inspirational captain Allan Okello, the Cranes' selection reflects a strategic balance of youth and experience drawn exclusively from the domestic league – a requirement for CHAN eligibility. With co-hosting responsibilities shared between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the Cranes are determined to make their mark in front of home fans. Head coach Morley Byekwaso and his technical team at FUFA have placed emphasis on tactical versatility and mental resilience, eyeing a strong run in Group C, where Uganda will face heavyweights Algeria, Guinea, Niger, and South Africa. Uganda kick off their CHAN 2024 journey on August 4 against Algeria, in what promises to be a blockbuster opening for the Cranes. The tournament presents a rare platform for homegrown players to shine on the continental stage, with scouts and clubs closely monitoring standout performances. The final list includes top performers from local clubs like Vipers SC, KCCA FC, SC Villa, and Kitara FC, who dominate the roster with multiple call-ups. Okello, one of Uganda's most technically gifted midfielders, will shoulder the leadership role, supported by key talents such as Yunus Sentamu, Enock Ssebagala, and Shafik Nana Kwikiriza. Having exited early in previous CHAN editions, Uganda's ambition this time is to progress past the group stage and challenge for honours—especially with the home advantage and local support expected to lift their campaign. Below is the full 25-man squad selected for CHAN 2024: Goalkeepers Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 1 Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC) – Shirt No. 18 Chrispas Kusiima (Kitara FC) – Shirt No. 19 Defenders4. Arnold Odong (SC Villa) – Shirt No. 25. Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC) – Shirt No. 36. Gideon Odongo (NEC FC) – Shirt No. 47. Herbert Achai (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 58. Lazaro Muhindo (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 159. Hilary Panuel Mukundane (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 1610. Kizito Mugweri Gavin (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 22 11. Rogers Ochaki Torach (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 13 Midfielders12. Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC) – Shirt No. 713. Elvis Ngonde (SC Villa) – Shirt No. 814. Arafat Kiza Usama (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 1115. Reagan Mpande (SC Villa) – Shirt No. 1416. Joseph Youngman Marvin (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 617. Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 2318. Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 2419. Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 25 20. Allan Okello (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 21 (Captain) Forwards21. Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 922. Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa) – Shirt No. 1023. Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 2024. Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC) – Shirt No. 17 25. Yunus Junior Sentamu (Vipers SC) – Shirt No. 12
CAF
28-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Family legacy fuels CHAN dreams for Uganda duo Ssebagala and Usama
For many footballers, a call-up to represent their national team is the fulfilment of a dream. But for Uganda's rising stars Enock Ssebagala and Usama Arafat, the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is more than just a tournament—it is a continuation of a family legacy. The two Cranes hopefuls have football in their blood and are stepping into a space once occupied by their elder brothers—Manko Kaweesa and Isima Watenga—both of whom proudly wore the national colours at previous editions of CHAN. Now, with the 2024 edition set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from 2 to 28 August 2025, Ssebagala and Usama are poised to write new chapters in their family histories. A Brother's Footsteps: Ssebagala's Rise For Vipers SC midfielder Enock Ssebagala, the CHAN stage represents both destiny and opportunity. His older brother, Manko Kaweesa, featured in Uganda's CHAN debut in 2011 in Sudan, a campaign that, despite an early exit, left a lasting mark on the local football narrative. 'I am happy that my brother was summoned to the national team, it is a proud moment,' said Kaweesa. 'If you are recognised among over 40 million Ugandans, you must be grateful. CHAN is a tough tournament—everyone wants to turn professional—and that means life-changing opportunities. I urge Ssebagala to focus, be disciplined and score goals. If Uganda reaches the final, the entire squad will attract international attention.' Ssebagala's own journey has been one of resilience and steady progress. After shining for NEC FC in their debut Uganda Premier League season, helping them to a second-place finish, he earned a move to league champions Vipers SC. That form saw him break into the national setup. Although he didn't feature in Uganda's CHAN qualifiers against Burundi last December, Ssebagala made his senior Cranes debut in a recent friendly against Gambia, coming on for Bobosi Byaruhanga in a match that ended 1-1. 'It is a big opportunity to be called up for CHAN and I thank God for this blessing,' Ssebagala said. 'To me, it is a major achievement. My brother has inspired me a lot and I hope to build on what he started in 2011. I want to represent my country and make my family proud.' With competition for midfield places heating up, Ssebagala remains focused: 'God is everything in my journey, but I've also worked hard, listened to coaches, and stayed focused on teamwork. That's been key to my growth.' Usama's Turn to Shine KCCA FC winger Usama Arafat is also drawing strength from family inspiration. His elder brother, goalkeeper Isima Watenga, represented Uganda at CHAN 2016 in Rwanda and CHAN 2018 in Morocco. 'I've always believed in Usama. He's talented and ready, but now he needs to prove himself on a bigger stage,' said Watenga. 'CHAN is the perfect platform. It changed my life—and it can change his.' Usama, known for his pace and flair down the flanks, has already shown glimpses of his potential in domestic football. Now, he stands ready to blaze his own trail—not from between the posts like his brother, but cutting in from the wings with hunger and determination. Two Brothers. Two Dreams. One Mission. For Ssebagala and Usama, CHAN 2024 offers more than exposure—it's a chance to honour those who walked the path before them, to live up to their family names, and perhaps carve out new legacies of their own. Guided by bloodlines and driven by ambition, these two young Cranes are ready to soar.
CAF
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Uganda name 29-man CHAN squad as Onyango joins technical team
Published: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 Uganda's technical team has reduced its CHAN 2024 squad to 29 players, with co-head coaches Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza narrowing down their options ahead of the continental showpiece in August. The announcement follows an intensive training session held at the Prisons Ground in Luzira, as the Cranes ramp up preparations for their seventh appearance in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN). The tournament will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from 2–30 August 2025. Former Cranes captain Denis Onyango has temporarily joined the technical bench to assist with goalkeeping duties during the squad's camp. The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper, back home on offseason break, is expected to provide vital mentorship to Uganda's four goalkeepers in camp—Joel Mutakubwa, Crispas Kusiima, Denis Kiggundu, and Hannington Sebwalunyo. This trimmed squad is not final but represents a key phase in selection, with the coaching duo set to announce the final 23-man list before the tournament kickoff. The dropped players include Vipers SC captain Milton Karisa, who hasn't recovered from injury, as well as Paul Mucureezi, Enock Walusimbi, Emmanuel Wasswa, and David Owori. Despite the exclusions, the group still retains key figures such as Allan Okello, Yunus Sentamu, Patrick Kakande, Jude Ssemugabi, and Gavin Kizito, who are expected to play major roles if selected for the final tournament squad. Uganda, drawn in Group C, face a stern test with Algeria, Guinea, Niger, and South Africa all in the same pool. The Cranes open their campaign against Algeria on 4 August at Namboole Stadium. Having never advanced beyond the group stage in six previous attempts, Uganda will be hoping home advantage and a well-prepared squad help them rewrite the history books. Uganda Cranes – CHAN 2024 Trimmed 29-Man Squad: Goalkeepers Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC) Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC) Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC) Hannington Sebwalunyo (NEC FC) Defenders Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC) Lazaro Bwambale (KCCA FC) Herbert Achayi (Express FC) Gideon Odong (NEC FC) Rogers Torach (Vipers SC) Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC) Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC) Arnold Odongo (SC Villa) Ronald Otti (Kitara FC) Midfielders Shamir Kimwero (NEC FC) Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC) Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC) Elvis Ngondwe (SC Villa) Allan Okello (Vipers SC) Patrick Kakande (SC Villa) Jerome Kirya (BUL FC) Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC) Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC) Forwards Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC) Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC) Usama Arafat (KCCA FC) Shafik Nana Kiwikiriza (KCCA FC) Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC) Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC) Reagan Mpande (SC Villa)
CAF
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Uganda coach Byekwaso eyes historic CHAN breakthrough at home
Uganda co-coach Morley Byekwaso says their tough group for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) is an opportunity to change the national team's narrative in the competition. Grouped alongside Algeria, South Africa, Guinea and Niger in what many observers have dubbed one of the tournament's most competitive pools, Byekwaso is rallying his side to aim higher than ever before. 'Our group is tight, no doubt,' he acknowledged. 'But with focused preparation and the energy of playing at home, we believe it's possible to break past the group stage barrier for the first time.' Uganda has never advanced beyond the group stage in its previous CHAN campaigns, but the 2024 edition presents a golden opportunity. With the tournament co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from August 2 to 28, the Cranes will enjoy the unique advantage of playing in familiar territory, backed by passionate home support. Uganda's campaign begins with a daunting opener against Algeria on 4 August at the iconic Namboole Stadium. Byekwaso has made it clear that the tone must be set from the first whistle. 'That first game is crucial,' he stressed. 'It's not just about tactics; it's about mindset. The players must realise the chance they have—not just to compete, but to inspire.' Byekwaso, who shares the technical reins with Vipers SC coach Fred Muhumuza under the oversight of head coach Paul Put, has already begun drilling his squad with discipline and tactical precision. The team resumed training this week at Luzira Prison Grounds after a brief rest, sharpening their focus ahead of their home campaign. The technical team's goal is clear—build a disciplined, cohesive squad with a fighting spirit strong enough to challenge Africa's best. The fact that this CHAN will be held on home soil only intensifies the drive to finally make it out of the group stages. 'It's time we stop being content with participation,' Byekwaso insisted. 'We are building a team that believes in progression, not just presence.' With preparations in full swing and belief quietly growing, the Uganda Cranes are eyeing more than just a respectable showing. They want to make history.
