ST. Lawrence Win Fifth League Title With Victory Over Jinja Lions

St. Lawrence University put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to retain their league title on Sunday. It was not the easiest of a final and it required them to die a little to win against Jinja Lions.

**Brian Nkuubi (in blue) opened the scores for SLAU**

With less than two minutes remaining on the clock, Ronald Magwali pounced home a strong header to seal a 3-2 win at FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena in Njeru. The game had stalled at 2-2 and looked like needing extra time to separate the sides. Jinja Lions, nicknamed the ‘The Sand Kings,’ were playing their first final.

It was St. Lawrence’s fourth league victory on the bounce but the fifth crown altogether. They are now three better than any other side, with MUBS the only side coming closest on two titles.

**Skilled: Baker Lukooya (with the ball) executing a scissors kick**

The contest was tight – characterized by physical battles and high energy levels from both sides. But it was the Saints who drew the first blood through Brian Nkuubi before the stylish Baker Lukooya doubled their advantage as Davis Nnono’s men went into the first break with a two goal cushion.

**SLAU’s coach Davis Nnono passing on instructions to his players**

For Jinja Lions, it was just a game on. They produced a fine display while containing St. Lawrence’s attackers with classy defending and reduced their deficit through the versatile Herbert Onyango in the second period before Shaka Sozzi restored parity for them midway the last period.

**Shaka Ssozi scored Jinja Lions’ equaliser from range**

At 2-2, the teams played with caution for some few minutes and they all rekindled their quest for a winner as the third period wore on albeit with majorly midfield action. Following a long ball into Jinja Lions’ box, Magwali leapt between two defenders to win it all for his side with a well-timed thumping header to spark wild celebrations amongst the players and the technical area.

When the final whistle went, many Saints sunk in the sand with their chins up – supposedly thanking the almighty for their deliverance from the claws of Jinja Lions.

St. Lawrence walloped MS Sand Lions 8-1 while The Sand Kings defeated Mutoola BSC 6-4 in the play offs to reach the final.

Awards:

Top scorer – Nicholas Mwere (Jinja Lions – 36 goals)

Best goalkeeper – Julius Sseguya (Jinja Lions)

Best coach – Ivan Kulika (Jinja Lions)

MVP – Brian Nkuubi (ST. Lawrence University)

Fair play team – Mutoola BSC

Team of the season (Best five)

Julius Sseguya (Goalkeeper – Jinja Lions)

Sharif Apuuli (Mutoola BSC)

Nicholas Mwere (Jinja Lions)

Baker Lukooya (ST. Lawrence University)

Brian Nkuubi (ST. Lawrence University)

Pictorial:

Asubo Gafford Overwhelms Gomba To Win League Title

Asubo Gafford WFC are the 2022/23 FUFA beach soccer league winners after a convincing 7-4 victory over Gomba Queens in the final on Sunday. They had total control of the game in the first period with Fatumah Nakusumba, who was named as the most valuable player, running the Gafford show at FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena in Njeru.

**Nakasumba dispatching a ferocious shot against Gomba**

She scored four goals – opening the scores with a well taken strike before doubling their advantage moments later as Rogers Nkugwa and his girls took a 2-0 lead. Her other two goals came in the last two periods.

Despite struggling with the aggressive approach from Asubo Gafford, Gomba made use of the open spaces left behind and almost caused a scare – threatening to equalize when the scores were at 3-2.

**Nakalyowa (in blue) left Asubo Gafford praying for the final whistle**

At this moment, Shaminah Nakalyowa had given the Queens a lease of life with some energetic display and long range shooting tactic which produced a count of four fine goals to her name and the player of the match award.

But her efforts were not enough to overturn the game, with Sharon Namatovu also scoring a brace for her side and another strike from Shakira Nagudi confirming Asubo Gafford’s first league title at the first time of asking as they also dominated the awards.

FUFA women beach soccer league was featuring for the first time after three years of quiescent caused by the pandemic and Asubo Gafford has become the first team to win the crown post the COVID 19 era. But Doves women beach club and Mutesa 1 Royal University Ladies are the most successful sides in the competition with three titles each.

The final act of the season was honored by various dignitaries including; the chairperson of Uganda Beach Soccer Association – Mr. Deo Mutabazi, the chairperson of Uganda Women Football Association – Mrs. Margret Kubingi, FUFA delegates – Anthony Tumwesigye and Hassan Kirunda.

Mrs. Aisha Bakari- the vice chairperson of UWFA, coach Oliver Mbekeka, and Mrs. Sharon Nalunga from the office of the FUFA CEO. Mr. Ali Mwebe, Mr. Bashir Mutyaba, Mr. Steven Kalema, Mr. Joel Kyewalabye, Mr. Timothy Ssenfuma, Mr. Mukasa Benard and Mr. Sseguya Peter also graced the event and they were thrilled by the great skills exhibited by the girls on sand.

Awards

Topscorer – Shaminah Birungi Nakalyowa (Gomba Queens – 28 goals)

MVP – Fatumah Nakasumba (Asubo Gafford)

Best young player – Leticia Nakyeyune (Kampala Junior Team)

Best goalkeeper – Lukia Olga (Asubo Gafford)

Best coach – Rogers Nkugwa (Asubo Gafford)

Fair play – Kampala Junior Team (KJT)

Team of the season (Best five)

Lukia Olga (Asubo Gafford)

Fatumah Nakasumba (Asubo Gafford)

Leticia Nakyeyune (KJT)

Shaminah Birungi Nakalyowa (Gomba Queens)

Sharon Namatovu (Asubo Gafford)

Pictorial: 1-3 (F.Nakasumba, S.Nakalyowa & L.Olga)

Asubo Gafford, Gomba Queens Set Up Epic Final

Six teams dared to dream of lifting the trophy at the end of the 2022/23 FUFA women beach soccer league when the campaign started in January.

Only two teams – Asubo Gafford WFC and Gomba Queens are left standing ahead of Sunday’s final at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

Kampala Junior Team (KJT) had ruled the reigns for quite a long period but they were kicked off the patch on Tuesday when they failed to make the grade in three of their five games played at Mutoola resort beach in Mukono.

Asubo Gafford won all their four games on the day as Gomba Queens collected maximum points in four of their five matches, finishing first and second on the log with eighteen and thirteen points respectively.

KJT finished the season with the same count of points as Gomba but the latter profited from the superior goal difference of 25, seven better of KJT’s.

The final will take place on Sunday 18th June 2023 at the FUFA Technical Centre beach soccer arena.

Tuesday 13th June, 2023 – Results

Mpaata Ladies 0-14 Gomba Queens

KJT 9-2 Nansana Ladies

Asubo Gafford WFC 4-2 KJT

Gomba Queens 11-1 Nansana Ladies

Mpaata ladies 0-6 Asubo Gafford WFC

Nansana Ladies 0- 8 KJT

Gomba Queens 2-3 Asubo Gafford WFC

KJT 1-4 Asubo Gafford WFC

Gomba Queens 7-0 Mpaata Ladies

Mpaata Ladies 0-1 Nansana Ladies

KJT 2 -3 Gomba Queens

Final – Sunday 18th June 2023

Asubo Gafford WFC Vs Gomba Queens – 2pm.

Past Winners

2012-2013 – Doves Women Beach Soccer Club.

2013-2014 – Candies Women Beach Soccer Club

2014-2015 – Doves Women Beach Soccer Club

2015-2016 – Doves Women Beach Soccer Club

2016-2017 – Mutesa 1 Royal University Ladies

2017-2018 – Mutesa 1 Royal University Ladies

2018-2019 – Mutesa 1 Royal University Ladies

2019-2020 – Cancelled Due to Covid Pandemic

2020-2021 – Not Played

2021-2022 – Not Played.

FUFA Beach Soccer League: Final Four Known, Dates And Fixtures For The Play Offs Confirmed

The end of this campaign sees the country’s best four teams do battle with the play offs line up completed at the conclusion of the regular season.

There have been some unbelievable performances from ‘underdogs’ already and it’s expected to be a throbbing ending as there will be no holding back in the last four as teams will be playing their hearts out for a place in the final due June 18, 2023.

The first teams to make the playoffs were St.Lawrence University and Mutoola BSC. Jinja Lions could not wait to be summoned to the party while MS Sand Lions picked the last spot on the final day of the regular season.

Out of the four, only defending champions St. Lawrence walk with experience at this level and they will come into the showdown with a record four titles but the other three will be making their first appearances at this stage.

**Jinja Lions Hussein Ssajjabi closes down Peter Mukwata of Mutoola in the first round**

St. Lawrence will play MS Sand Lions before Mutoola face off with Jinja Lions at FUFA technical centre, with the victors progressing to the final scheduled for the same day.

Sunday 18th June 2023

Play -offs

A – St. Lawrence Vs MS Sand Lions 12pm

B – Mutoola Vs Jinja Lions – 1pm

Classification Match

Loser A Vs Loser B – 3pm

Final

Winner A Vs Winner B – 4pm

MS Sand Lions Book Final Play-off Spot With 6-2 Win Over Grace Church

MS Sand Lions progressed into the championship playoffs of the 2022/23 FUFA beach soccer league after defeating Grace Church 6-2 in their final league game of the regular season on Sunday.

The win took their points count to 28, six better than Buganda Royal who failed to win all their remaining games to allow the ‘Tiimu Ye’kibuga’ to seal the final last four spot.

Starman Yusuf Joloba scored a hat-trick, with two of his strikes coming in the first period.

Simon Kizito showed up with a brace before Rajab Okello banged in the last nail. Kenny Mugabi and Marvin Ssempijja scored for the Church boys who were without a coach at FUFA technical centre.

Mukiibi Ssemwogerere’s men now sit at the same table with St. Lawrence University, Mutoola and Jinja Lions who had already qualified for the playoffs.

The last mentioned won two of their final three matches, beating Kiringente and Mutoola 9-2 and 5-3 in that order before losing 4-2 to defending champions St. Lawrence as they remained third with 32 points.

**Sharp Shooter: Nicholas Mwere scored nine goals on Sunday to top the scoring chart with 33 goals**

St Lawrence’s goalkeeper Meddy Kibirige was sent off for a second bookable offense against Mutoola with the Saints turning to defender Rica Byaruhanga for the role between the uprights.

But despite playing almost two games with a makeshift ‘goalkeeper,’ they maintained their standards with victories against the Sand Giants and Jinja Lions. They won 7-5 and 4-2 to sit at the top of the pile with 43 points.

**Savior: Defender cum goalkeeper Rica Byaruhanga was named player of the match against Jinja Lions**

Mutoola, who finished second, lost to St. Lawrence and Jinja Lions as mentioned above before defeating Buganda Royal 4-1 to gather 36 points.

The championship playoffs and the final will be played on 18th June, 2023 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

Sunday June 11, 2023 – Full Results:

Kiringente 2-9 Jinja Lions

Mutoola 5-7 St. Lawrence

Kiringente 5-6 Buganda Royal

Jinja Lions 5-3 Mutoola

MS Sand Lions 6-2 Grace Church

Buganda Royal 1-4 Mutoola

Jinja Lions 2-4 St. Lawrence

Race For The Title; Mutoola, St. Lawrence And Jinja Lions Qualify For Play Offs

When the curtains fall on the regular season this Sunday, the FUFA beach soccer league will head into the championship play-offs come 18^th June, 2023 to determine the champion, and three teams have already booked their places with three games to spare.

Defending champions – St. Lawrence University who currently top the eight team pile were the first to make the cut to the playoffs, Mutoola BSC also wheeled in after a stellar run of eleven victories in thirteen matches before Jinja Lions, who are just two months away from their second anniversary leaped to the table of men for their maiden appearance in the final four.

MS Sand Lions and Buganda Royal each have a chance to book the last spot but the slot is for MS Sand’s to lose. Jamil Ssemwogerere and his men lie in the fourth place with a tally of 25 points, six more than Buganda Royal’s count although the later still have two matches to play. But Tony Ssebbaggala’s side will need divine intervention to pull a suck punch and win by a cricket score against giant killers Kiringente and the free flowing Mutoola BSC, and also strongly pray that MS Sand miserably lose to Grace Church to grab the last ticket.

St. Lawrence and Mutoola extended their winning streaks at the weekend with wins over Buganda Royal, Kiringente and Wolves. MS Sand too edged Kiringente while Jinja Lions goofed up in the battle of the lions as Wolves shocked the nation with a convincing victory over the Abambowa.

Brian Nkuubi led the way for the Saints with a hat trick, with Ronald Magwali, Joshua Lubwama and Jonathan Kikonyogo also scoring braces each in their side’s 11-1 win over Buganda Royal. Emma Waswa and Allan Katwe also struck as they raved at FUFA Technical Centre on Sunday but the former happened to score past his own goalkeeper to gift their opponents the consolation.

Sharif Apuuli spearheaded Mutoola’s scintillating showings against Kiringente as the diminutive versatile player showed up with a hat trick; Simon Peter Kijjo sealed their win with a brace before their goalkeeper Joseph Kigozi helped the ball passed his own goal line.

Wolves’ renaissance also continued. With Baptist Male as the mastermind, they ripped Buganda Royal to threads with a 7-4 dominant win. Male, Derrick Luyimbazi and Julius Sentamu stared with two goals each, while goalkeeper Evans Ninsiima struck an own goal to stretch Wolves’ advantage.

**Baptist Male (left) challenging for the ball in a previous outing**

Jinja Lions profited from the lady luck to share spoils with MS Sand Lions. Edrine Mawerere Cavan opened the scores to put The Sand Kings in the lead before George William Dhabangi arrowed in a beauty to make it 2-0 up. However, Yusuf Joloba’s brace and another strike from Simon Kizito ensured MS Sand took charge of the game but they were undone by their own goalkeeper Rajab Okello when he scored in his own net to gift Jinja Lions the point.

**Leading goal scorer Nicholas Mwere was shut down by a rocky MS Sand defense line**

This Sunday will mark the end of the regular season with nine matches on schedule.

Full results – Sunday June 4, 2023

MS Sand Lions 5-3 Kiringente

Mutoola 5-1 Kiringente

Buganda Royal 1-11 St. Lawrence

MS Sand Lions 3-3 Jinja Lions

Wolves 7-4 Buganda Royal

Wolves 0-3 Mutoola

Next fixtures – Sunday June 11, 2023

FIFA Names Ugandan Among Refereeing Instructors For 2023

World football governing body, FIFA, on Friday named Uganda’s Ali Mwebe as one of the eleven beach soccer refereeing instructors for 2023.

He was named alongside Al Mansory Ebrahim (UAE), Moosavi Seyed (Iran) and Namazov Bakhtiyor (Uzbekistan) – all from the Asian Football Confederation.

FIFA also listed Da Costa Wilson (Bahamas) and Rodriguez Victorino (El Salvador) from CONCACAF, and Figueredo Cesar (Uruguay) and Moraes Ivo (Brazil) from CONMEBOL.

Benchabane Lakhdah (France) and Conti Michele (Italy) are representing UEFA, While Poloso Neil hails from Solomon Islands (OFC).

Courtesy Photo: Mr. Mwebe was recently in Brazil for the launch of the FIFA technical leadership diploma course

For Mwebe, who also serves as the deputy chairman technical development committee at Africa Beach Soccer Union, as well as the head of technical development at FUFA, is the only one from Africa (CAF) on the list.

He became a national beach soccer refereeing instructor in 2010 – serving in the position for a period of five years, until 2015 before leaping into the elite class in 2018 as a CAF instructor.

After four years of developing beach soccer referees on the African continent, Mwebe was appointed a FIFA refereeing instructor in 2022 for the first time. He recently attended the launch of the FIFA technical leadership diploma in Brazil.

Outing Eleven Comes With Intriguing Duels As Fufa Beach Soccer League Continues

It has been a very interesting and competitive FUFA beach soccer league campaign so far, and no sooner are we over the shocks of last weekend than we are into another with eight intriguing matches scheduled to take place on Sunday.

current table standings

MS Sand Lions surprised almost everyone by beating St. Lawrence University and Buganda Royal before Grace Church who are yet to win a game pulled off a master performance to hold the latter.

For this outing at FUFA technical centre in Njeru, there will be plenty of attention on the top half of the table as five teams in the top six are in action, giving us three matches against themselves.

Defending champions St. Lawrence missed a host of their key players last time out and looked depleted – suffering a defeat at the hands of the Lions from Makindye and losing their top spot to Mutoola as a result. MUBS, currently sitting sixth on the log stands in their way this weekend, with another tricky side in Kiringente also on their schedule later.

Ronald Magwali of St. Lawrence shielding the ball in a previous encounter against Buganda Royal

Mutoola returned to the top of the pile with a ninth win from eleven matches and will go head to head with MS Sand Lions. The giant killers have been folding opponents of recent to scale up to the fifth place in the standings but their sturdiness will be tested against the play offs hopefuls.

After failing to make ends meet last weekend, Jinja Lions dropped to the third place and they will be seeking to keep their play offs dream alive this time when they meet KJT and MUBS.

Nicholas Mwere (in blue) of Jinja Lions is the leading goal scorer with 24

The Sand Kings and MUBS will finally meet, their first face off this season. The first round fixture between the sides was not played because the last mentioned failed to report for the match even when it was rescheduled.

Full Fixtures

Sunday May 21, 2023 – 11th outing

Jinja Lions Vs KJT – 11am

Grace Church Vs Kiringente – 12pm

St. Lawrence Vs MUBS – 1pm

KJT Vs Wolves – 2pm

MS Sand Lions Vs Mutoola – 3pm

St. Lawrence Vs Kiringente – 4pm

Wolves Vs MS Sand Lions – 5pm

MUBS Vs Jinja Lions – 6pm

Venue: FUFA Technical Centre

MS Sand Lions Defeat Short Handed St. Lawrence On Second Round Kick Off

Thrills and distress rocked FUFA technical centre in equal proportions as the FUFA beach soccer league second round kicked off on Sunday.

MS Sand Lions pose for a photo moment in a previous game

As MS Sand Lions and their coach Jamil Ssemwogerere Mukiibi found themselves over the moon following a feat of two wins in as many games of the outing, defending champions St. Lawrence who were missing many of their star performers walked off the pitch with heads in their hands after losing their first game after a long while.

Mutoola also extended their winning streak at the weekend with a comfortable victory over Grace Church that now count five points after drawing at Buganda Royal.

St.Lawrence University 2-5 MS Sand Lions

A workmanlike MS Sand Lions produced the biggest shock over the weekend, coming from behind to stun four time champions – St. Lawrence in an exciting game for the neutrals.

Despite being depleted, the Saints drew the first blood through Martin Kikambi before Ronald Magwali doubled their advantage, and with 2-0 up, they looked like cruising to another routine victory.

But Mukiibi’s men refused to lie down, responding perfectly and hitting back at their opponents at every chance that presented itself.

Yusuf Joloba cut their deficit in the first period, Michael Mutyaba and Badru Asibuku tilted the game in their favor before Timothy Ddamba and David Balondemu sealed the famous win for their side in the last period.

It was the very first defeat for St. Lawrence in a spell of more than three seasons of invisibility.

MS Sand Lions 4-1 Buganda Royal

Their frenzy continued even against Buganda Royal, a side coached by last season’s best coach – Tonny Ssebagala.

Joloba was on show again as he and Simon Kizito combined to score a double each to hand MS Sand the advantage while James Wani scored the consolation for his team.

Grace Church 2-6 Mutoola BSC

Apuuli celebrating one of his goals in a previous game

There was also a win for Mutoola, who picked off Grace Church comfortably to claim a 6-2 win.

A hat-trick from Farooq Kiberu, a brace from Sharif Apuuli and another strike from Paul Nsege ensured Mutoola won.

Mulan Babu and Munai Mwanawangu scored to give the Church boys a positive to go home with.

Buganda Royal 4-4 Grace Church

Honours were even between the beaten sides.

Dalton Ssewanyana starred with a hat-trick while Andrew Luwate also struck to get a point for Buganda Royal.

Mulan Babu scored a double, with the other goals coming through Chris Waliyo and Owen Ben for Grace Church.

The league action will come back next Sunday, fixtures will be communicated as soon as possible.

Full time results:

Sunday May 14, 2023.

St. Lawrence 2-5 MS Sand Lions

Grace Church 2-6 Mutoola BSC

MS Sand Lions 4-1 Buganda Royal

Buganda Royal 4-4 Grace Church

Next outing.

Sunday May 21, 2023

Rip Roaring Battles Highlight Second Round Kick Off

The FUFA beach soccer league resumes this weekend after a break of more than a month, and there is everything still to play for as the second round of the season begins.

This Sunday will have eight games played with huge stakes at the top side of the table.

10th outing fixtures

Pacesetters – St. Lawrence University will look to continue their upsurge on the log as Jinja Lions and Mutoola chase them down, while there are also fierce battles in the race for the play off positions – involving The Sand Kings, The Sand Giants, Buganda Royal and MUBS.

A match between St. Lawrence and MS Sand Lions will set the second half of the season rolling at 10am before the promising blockbuster between Jinja Lions and Buganda Royal.

SLAU’s J. Kikonyogo closing down opponent in their first leg meeting with MS Sand Lions

The last-mentioned go into the contest as the clear favorites but the Jinja side who have defied odds to sit in second should not be undermined given that they comfortably and convincingly defeated their opponents in the reverse fixture with ease.

After receiving a new lease of life in the competition, MUBS will fancy their chances against the hard fighting Kiringente before going toe to toe with top four hopefuls – Mutoola BSC at 4pm.

No way through; It was a tug of war between Mutoola and MUBS in the first round

They had a false start to the campaign, losing 3-1 to the Sand Giants in their opening match, and they will need maximum points from both matches to force themselves into the race for the play off places.

Catch me if you can; Nicholas Mwere scored a brace to win it for Jinja Lions against Kiringente

Grace Church take on Mutoola, Kiringente face Jinja Lions, and MS Sand Lions play Buganda Royal while Kampala Junior Team (KJT) and Wolves BSC to square off in the last action of the day.

Full fixtures:

May 14, 2023 (10th Outing)

St. Lawrence Vs MS Sand Lions – 10 am

Jinja Lions Vs Buganda Royal – 11am

MUBS Vs Kiringente – 12pm

Grace Church Vs Mutoola – 1pm

MS Sand Lions Vs Buganda Royal – 2pm

Kiringente Vs Jinja Lions 3pm

Mutoola Vs MUBS – 4pm

KJT Vs Wolves – 5pm