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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

Three Weeks Ban For Lukooya, Rica Byaruhanga And Jinja Lions Chairman

St. Lawrence University’s Baker Lukooya and compatriot Rica Byaruhanga have been suspended from the game of beach soccer for three solid weeks because of misconduct.

They were found in breach of Article 31(2) of the FUFA competitions rules and regulations together with Andrew Talenga, the chairman of Jinja Lions BSC, who has also been suspended from participating in all beach soccer activities for a period equal to that of the players.

Baker Lukooya

The two players will not return to action until May 6th, 2023, whilst Talenga will also be allowed to serve the game again only after the collapse of the said period of his punishment.

Disciplinary proceedings were opened against the trio pursuant to reports and video recordings from the FUFA beach soccer league match between St. Lawrence and Jinja Lions that was played on April 2, 2023 at FUFA technical centre in Njeru. The game ended with both sides locked at 8-8.

Rica Byaruhanga

The competitions disciplinary panel (CDP) to its satisfaction found out that Lukooya and Byaruhanga conducted themselves in a violent manner before Talenga engaged in a fight with the duo which brought the match to a stand still for a few minutes contrary to the rules and regulations of the competition put in place by FUFA.

Article 31(2) states that;

“A participant shall at all times act in the best interest of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behavior. Any participant in breach of this section, shall be charged and if found in breach shall be liable for disciplinary actions of a suspension or a ban not exceeding fifteen competition matches or specified period with or without a fine depending on the discretion of the CDP, TOC or appropriate judicial body.”

Andrew Talenga (right) sharing a moment with UBSA events Manager Tony Ssebagala

The sanctions effectively began on April 16, and all the parties involved have been told to serve the punishment as directed or else the CDP shall be constrained to take stronger disciplinary measures against them.

Tough Battles Await MUBS As First Round Enters Final Bend

As we come to the tip of the first round of the FUFA beach soccer league, two time champions MUBS will have to feature in three fixtures this Sunday to catch up with the rest of the teams in terms of games played.

In their quest to cement a fine position heading into the last half of the season, they will have to negotiate past Buganda Royal and Jinja Lions hurdles.

None of the two seem to be an easy task however.

In orange: MUBS players in a previous clash

Buganda Royal have won their past three league contests and come into this game targeting to break into the top four for the first time this season.

Both sides count 12 points but MUBS sit fourth and are advantaged by their superior goal difference of 10, three better of their rivals who lie in the fifth position on the table.

Buganda Royal is back in contention for play off positions

Following this clash, it will be another daunting task against Jinja Lions for MUBS before they close the day with MS Sand Lions at FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena.

The Sand Kings poses the division’s leading goal scorer – Nicholas Mwere in their ranks, they are arguably one of the most inform teams and they come into this battle on the back of an impressive eight all draw against defending champions St. Lawrence.

Out of their seven games played, the Jinja city based side have won five and drawn one to collect 16 points, nine behind the league leaders and they are determined to leap into the second spot currently occupied by Mutoola BSC, making their face off with MUBS a potential cracker of a game.

Powerful Nicholas Mwere leaves opponent chasing shadows

Jinja Lions will also have another chance to put points on the board when they meet MS Sand Lions in their second game at 4pm.

Kiringente BSC put up a hard fighting show in their last outing and they may look unstoppable against Wolves who are yet to record maximum points this term.

Marks man Derrick Ssekulima was pivotal in Kiringente’s win over Mutoola

Second placed Mutoola will also be in action against Kampala Junior Team (KJT) while MS Sand Lions will also have to play Grace Church to complete the round.

Here are the full fixtures:Current table standings

Top Performers In The Beach Soccer Leagues To Be Recognized

Standout performers in the FUFA men and women’s beach soccer leagues are to be recognized from this time forward by UBSA technical officials.

The technical observers at each beach soccer league game will decide who deserves the player of the match after full-time in recognition of their star performances.

Kiringente’s Derrick Ssekulima was the first to be named the player of the match in the current FUFA beach soccer league campaign for his heroic showings in his sides’ stunning 7-4 win over Mutoola.

Derrick Ssekulima

With his team 4-1 down, Ssekulima rose to the occasion – scoring four goals as they came from behind to seal the famous win.

Nicholas Mwere was also named player of the match when the initiative was started in the previous outing.

Nicholas Mwere alias Big League

The Jinja Lions player showed the world what he is capable of when he scored all the eight goals in the Sand Kings’ eight all draw with St. Lawrence University.

End of the first round of the FUFA beach soccer league is near the corner with seven matches marking its end this Sunday April 16, 2023 at FUFA technical centre.

weekend fixtures

Kiringente Shut Out Mutoola, Jinja Lions Showcase Strong Showing In Throbbing Draw

The FUFA beach soccer league always provides thrilling games characterized by exciting goals, however, the eighth outing served us a compulsive viewing in the two games played at FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena on Sunday.

Both matches produced truly jaw dropping results, with Kiringente – sitting eighth before the clash comfortably beating title challengers Mutoola, while defending champions St. Lawrence required Brian Nkuubi’s magic to jump out of Jinja Lions’ claws.

Kiringente 7-4 Mutoola BSC

Derrick Ssekuima(in red) in action against Mutoola

Kiringente BSC won their third game this season with a stunning 7-4 victory over Mutoola.

Mutoola, nicknamed the Sand Giants, drew the first blood but Brian Bisaso’s men picked up themselves to have the affair at 2-2 at the break, before they fell behind again in the second period.

However, Kiringente flexed their muscle in the last twelve minutes with five goals to one to record a 7-4 win.

Derrick Ssekulima was the hero for Kiringente with four goals, and because of his awesome performance, he was named the man of the match.

Ssekulima was named man of the match

Deo Sengendo, Marvin Mugerwa and Charles Kasozi added a goal each to seal the victory for their side.

Mutoola’s goals came through Faizal Sekitti and Paul Nsenge who scored a brace individually but their goals were not enough to stop the Sand Giants from falling to their second defeat of the campaign.

Kiringente’s Starting five against Mutoola

Kiringente moved to nine points, same as KJT, MS Sand Lions and Buganda Royal while Mutoola stayed in the third place with 18 points.

St. Lawrence 8-8 Jinja Lions

The breathless clash at FUFA technical centre ended with St. Lawrence and Jinja Lions sharing 16 goals in the 8-8 draw that kept the sides in the first and second positions respectively on the table.

It was one of the most intense and thrilling game ever to be played in the league for as long as one can remember.

The game swung from side to side, and each team looked like winning it.

St. Lawrence took a 4-1 advantage in the first period, only for the Sand Kings to turn the tables with an electrifying fight back that resulted in Nicholas Mwere scoring eight goals.

Before his rousing performance, Baker Lukooya and Ronald Magwali stared with a brace each in the opening twelve minutes, while Brian Nkuubi and Allan Katwe also scored as the Saints remained in control but with a slim 6-5 lead before the second break.

By this moment, Mwere had scored five goals spread across the two periods.

Starman: Nicholas Mwere was named man of the match

His poaching instincts manifested again in the last twelve minutes of play when he dispatched more three strikes past Ronald Mutebi in the opponent’s goal as Jinja Lions assumed the lead for the first time in the game.

Savior: Brian Nkuubi (in blue) scored a hat trick to rescue a point for St. Lawrence

With their unbeaten run hanging by a thread, St. Lawrence assigned Nkuubi the rescue mission, and in the last 22 seconds, the move paid off as he capitalized on defensive frailties to score two more goals to complete his hat-trick and force a draw.

Teams will rest during the Easter festivals and the league action will return on Sunday April 16, 2023.

End Of The Road For Salim Muwonge’s Reign At The Sand Cranes

Coach Salim Jamal Muwonge’s eight year spell in charge of the Sand Cranes has come to an end following a new development from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).

FUFA revealed on Thursday that all the coaching positions of its national teams, except for the Uganda Cranes, were vacant – meaning the Sand Cranes, who form part of FUFA’s ten national teams, is also without a coach.

Muwonge and his assistant Peter Sseguya will have to re-apply if they need their jobs back.

Sand Cranes pose for a photo moment during a practice match

During a press briefing held at FUFA complex, FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo called upon the suitable Ugandans to apply for the jobs when the process is opened up.

“Other than the senior national team – that is the Uganda Cranes and the U-23 category, the rest of the positions are declared vacant,” he said.

“Therefore, we call upon competent Ugandans and non-Ugandans to apply for those vacancies.”

Salim Muwonge’s tenure as the head coach of the national beach soccer team began in 2015, and he had recorded fifteen wins, two draws and sixteen losses since.

L-R: Team manager Tony Ssebagala, Muwonge and Peter Sseguya

His spell was also highlighted by the fourth and fifth place finish in the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations 2020 and 2022 respectively, although he had to work together with technical expert Angelo Schirinzi who was appointed on a short term basis to boost the technical area ahead of the 2022 championship in Mozambique.

Uganda is currently 30th in the world out of the 101 ranked beach soccer playing nations.

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

Current table standings

Apuuli celebrating one of his goals

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

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