CAN NEW FACES FUEL THE CRANES? UGANDA'S AFCON PREPARATIONS BEGIN IN MOROCCO
Uganda Cranes name squad for Morocco & Chad friendlies. New call-ups include FCSB's Al Hassan Baba & returnee Melvyn Lorenzen. The matches are crucial AFCON preparation for Group C vs Nigeria & Tunisia.
FCSB's Al Hassan Baba -Creator: Razvan Pasarica/SPORT PICTURES
For the forthcoming international friendlies against Morocco and Chad, the Uganda Cranes team has been called up.
The Cranes will play Morocco four days after their November 15 match against Chad, with both games scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Goalkeepers Tom Ikara and Denis Kiggundu, defender Timothy Awany, midfielder Al Hassan Baba, and forward Melvyn Lorenzen are among the team's newcomers.
Baba, who presently plays for FCSB, formerly FC Steaua Bucuresti, of Romania, gets his first call-up to the national squad.
Lorenzen, on the other hand, makes his Cranes comeback after over ten years, having just played in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Zimbabwe on May 31, 2016.
There are nine other players from the area, including the well-liked Vipers SC player Allan Okello.
The friendlies are a prelude to the Africa Cup of Nations, which will begin next month and in which Uganda will play in Group C with Tanzania, Nigeria, and Tunisia.
UGANDA CRANES SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
Magoola Salim Omar, Richards Bay FC, South Africa
Onyango Denis, Mamelodi Sundowns FC, South Africa
Ikara Tom, BUL FC, Uganda
Kiggundu Denis, Vipers SC, Uganda
Defenders
Sibbick Toby, Burton Albion FC, England
Elio Caprodossi, FC Universitatea Cluj, Romania
Obita Jordan, Hibernian FC, Scotland
Torach Rogers, Vipers SC, Uganda
Mukundane Hilary, Vipers SC, Uganda
Kayondo Aziizi, FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic
Achayi Herbert, KCCA FC, Uganda
Awany Timothy, FC Ashdod, Israel
Aliro Moses, URA FC, Uganda
Midfielders
Semakula Kenneth, Al-Adalah FC, Saudi Arabia
Aucho Khalid, Singida Black Stars SC, Tanzania
Oyirwoth Allan, New England Revolution FC, USA
Al Hassan Baba, Fotbal Club FCSB, Romania
Byaruhanga Bobosi, Oakland Roots SC, USA
Forwards
Okello Allan, Vipers SC, Uganda
Melvyn Lorenzen, Muangthong UTD FC, Thailand
Mutyaba Travis, CS Sfaxien, Tunisia
Mpande Joseph, PVF Cand FC, Vietnam
Mato Rogers, FK Vardar, Macedonia
Mpande Reagan, SC Villa, Uganda
Ssemugabi Jude, Jamus FC, South Sudan
Ikpeazu Uchechukwu, St Johnstone FC, Scotland
Mukwala Steven, Simba SC, Tanzania
Kwikiriza Shafik, KCCA FC, Uganda
VIPERS, KCCA RIVALRY RETURNS — SPARKS SET TO FLY AGAIN
A high-stakes Uganda Premier League clash at St. Mary's Kitende! Vipers host rivals KCCA in a crucial fixture. Can the hosts close the gap, or will the table-toppers hold their summit? All the pre-match analysis and team news here.
Vipers vs KCCA — The Battle Resumes - COURTESY/PHOTO
At St. Mary's stadium in Kitende, Vipers and KCCA resume hostilities as the visitors try desperately to hold onto the summit.
After boycotting and missing the first games on the continent, the hosts enter the encounter with eight points and four games remaining.
According to co-coach Jackson Magera, table leaders KCCA, who have three victories and three draws or stalemates since the season began, are in a good mood.
"We are in a situation where we can deliver the greatest performance and outcome tomorrow (Friday)," said KCCA co-coach Jackson Magera, who will be leading the Uganda Cubs in Qatar for the third straight game without partner Brian Ssenyondo. "The mood is okay, the enthusiasm is there."
However, Magera anticipates a difficult matchup with a team that is eager to grab points and move up the log.
He went on to say, "We have to work hard because it is a very crucial fixture against a very tough club; they are the defending champions, and they also want to amass points and rise in the table."
In addition to three points, players with close ties to either team will prioritise bragging rights.
Former KCCA players Moses Waiswa, Allan Okello, and Usama Arafat are on the home team, while Ashraf Mugume, Mutwalibu Mugolofa, and Gavin Kizito have close ties to the Venoms because they began their careers with St. Mary's SS.
While Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Karim Watambala, and the rest of the opposing team must perform at their peak if they are to win two straight, KCCA will hope that forwards Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Nana Kwikiriza, and Umar Sammy Ssebaduka don lethal boots.
Calvary will play fellow newcomers Entebbe UPPC at Midigo in their very first Premier League match at Yumbe.
With just one point from their four away games, the hosts have played all four games.
Following their 1-0 loss against the vipers in their most recent match, Entebbe UPPC will feel like wounded lions.
The Printers are in ninth place on seven points, while Calvary is at the bottom of the table with one point.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Calvary vs Entebbe UPPC - Midigo P/S Play Ground, Yumbe, 4 PM
Vipers SC vs KCCA - St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, 8 PM
FRESH START: NEC CONFIRM KADDU BADRU MUKASA AS HEAD COACH
NEC named Kaddu Badru Mukasa as their new head coach. The former Express FC tactician, known for his data-driven approach and tactical discipline, replaces the departed Hussein Mbalangu with immediate effect.
Kaddu Badru Mukasa in Fresh Start - COURTESY/PHOTO
Kaddu Badru Mukasa, a former Express tactician with a reputation for tactical discipline, data-driven research, and an expanding portfolio of top-flight expertise, has been announced as NEC's new head coach.
Kaddu Badru Mukasa has been confirmed by NEC as their new head coach, with effect from Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The announcement follows NEC's split from their now-former coach, Hussein Mbalangu, who was first suspended from the team on charges of divided loyalty because of his participation in the Masaza Cup with Ssingo.
After first joining the Red Eagles as an assistant, Mukasa joined the team from Express, where he was head coach.
He is recognised as one of the up-and-coming Ugandan strategists who combine traditional coaching principles with contemporary football analysis.
The squad adopted a more methodical and analytical approach during his time at Express, which was characterised by better defensive organisation and forward-thinking attacking play.
Mukasa previously served as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC's assistant coach, where he acquired invaluable expertise in the top division and on the continent.
Outside the dugout, he is well-known for his work in data analysis and sports performance through his business, KB Analytics, which offers statistical analyses and insights for players and organisations.
In a statement, the team announced, "We are thrilled to announce that Kaddu Badru Mukasa will be joining the team as our head coach on Thursday, November 6, 2025."
"KB, as he is affectionately called, contributes a great deal of knowledge, strategic insight, and a winning mindset to our team."
In order to prepare for a more competitive second round of the 2025–26 Uganda Premier League season, Mukasa's first priority will be to stabilise the team for the remaining half-season.