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Dennis Onyango – Clubs in The Middle East Are Pursuing His Signature.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Courtesy Photo

35-year-old goaltender Dennis Onyango is a Ugandan star who started his professional football career at home in SC Villa back in 2004. He has also played for teams like St George SA, Supersport United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Bidvest Wits and currently for ABSA Premiership Champions Mamelodi Sundowns. He has won Premier Soccer League (PSL) Goalkeeper of the year and also Africa player of the year together with many honours at his club.

With such an accolade, there is no doubt that big club names will hunt for that signature and yes they have. Goaltender Dennis Onyango says he has been approached by clubs in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. We all know what comes to mind when you hear of the top richest countries in the Middle East, “MONEY” but Onyango says they have not been solid offers.

“But they haven’t been concrete offers. And you can’t rely on things which are not concrete. Of course, they have to talk to the club first. If the club says, ‘Look, Denis, we still want you, but you can move on.’ I wouldn’t say no. After all, it’s business,” said Dennis

“However, as a player, I’m still happy to play for Sundowns and still win many more trophies. I want to add another star to the badge,” he added.

Onyango is a senior player on the Sundowns squad and he still has 3 years left on his contract.

 

Kenya’s Malkia Strikers a Vexation for Coach Paul Bitok.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Uganda To Host Women's U20 National Championships.
Malkia Strikers Kenya | Zone 5 Winners.

After the annoucement by Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amina Mohamed that sports in Kenya would re-open with the exception that contact sports, including volleyball, football, hockey, boxing, rugby, taekwondo, basketball, and handball were classified under contact sports and for the matter remain closed.

Malkia Strikes coach Paul Bitok believes that this decision by the government will have a devastating impact on the team’s volleyball activities.

“Europe and some North African countries have resumed their activities. Last weekend, Egyptian volleyball men’s teams Al Ahly and Zamalek played to determine the winner of their league,” he said.

“That shows other nations are putting things in order. We had drafted our league fixtures in anticipation for the restart of the league next month, but with the new guidelines I’m afraid we might lag behind and it is sad,” Bitok added.

Kenya will play at the in the Olympic Games rescheduled for next year in Tokyo, Japan and Kenya clubs that qualified for the Africa Club championship will compete in the games schedules for December but because of lack of training, both the national team and the clubs face the danger of poor performance he said.

“The national team and Kenyan clubs that qualified for the annual continental club championship should be training. How do we expect them to perform against opponents that are training? asked Bitok.

Bitok called upon to the Ministry of Sports to reconsider categorizing volleyball as a contact sport.

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league champions General Service Unit and Kenya Ports Authority will represent Kenya in the men’s category, while Kenya Prisons, KCB Women’s Volleyball Team and Kenya Pipeline will compete on the women’s side.

Kaizer Chiefs Appoint Former Bafana Bafana midfielders – Arthur and Dillon

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Courtesy Photo | Kaizer Chiefs

ABSA Premiership title contender, Kaizer Chiefs recently appointed Gavin Hunt as the replacement for sacked coach Ernst Middendorp and not so long after that, they have revamped the technical team with the assignment of Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard as the two assistants for the new boss in the forthcoming 2020/21 campaign.

Zwane is a former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs player from 2000 to 2010 and until this occasion, he coached Chiefs Reserve team that plays in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC). Dillon on the other hand has played under the guidance of Hunt and has represented South Africa at the U17‚ U19‚ U23 and Bafana Bafana.

“We believe we have put a solid technical team together and we will give them all the necessary support they require. The wealth of experience among the three gentlemen is what we need to ensure we compete and build a strong team‚” said Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung.

“The fact that Arthur and Dillon will concurrently work with the senior team as well as with our reserve side means that the transition for the young players to the first-team squad will be easier. We have an abundance of talent. However‚ they will need nurturing while we also need to focus on winning. Both assistant coaches have youth football experience and we believe they will continue to share their knowledge with our other youth coaches and players‚” added Motaung.

The new ABSA Premiership campaign was scheduled to start on October 9th but this start could clash with FIFA International window.

Kenya’s Harambee Stars Assured of AFCON Qualifiers.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Courtesy Photo

Kenya recently lifted the ban on sports activities in the country but unfortunately for football, Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amina Mohamed mentioned that it was categorized under breeding zones for COVID-19. This was meet as massive bump for Kenya’s football fraternity as Kenya face a possible penalty by CAF if Harambee Stars fail to play their 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers due in November.

In March this year, CAF postponed AFCON Qualifiers after the COVID-19 pandemic. In another statement, CAF indicated that the qualifiers will be played between November 2020 and March 2021.

The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) expressed fears that Kenya will get banned if football is still prohibited and called upon the government to intervene. The decision by the government not only affects the national team but also the Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mia who will represent the country in the Africa Champions League.

KEFWA chairman, James Situma, on Friday said, “I am calling on the government to act fast in lifting the suspension so that footballers can continue earning. Without the resumption of football,  even sponsors will shy away from funding the sport.”

“Other countries in the world have already started their leagues and in the East Africa region, Tanzania league is currently on, In fact it was played to the end and now has resumed. Uganda has set kick-off dates same as Rwanda. Why is Kenya an exception; why can’t we play football?” he added.

However, sports CS Amina Mohamed assured the Harambee Stars that their concerns will be given special consideration. The Harambee Stars management can engage her office to discuss a safe way of playing the matches whilst following COVID-19 guidelines she said.

“The federation is welcome to the office to discuss the way forward in regard to the coming matches. There is hope that the contact sports will also re-open soon,” she said.

Kenya will play Comoros in the AFCON Qualifiers in November.

 

“We saw the rest of the world come back and now it’s our turn.” Uganda Cranes Coach – Jonathan McKinstry

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Happy First Year Anniversary as Uganda Head Coach - Jonathan Mckinstry
Jonathan McKinstry | At a FUFA Interview

The government on Sunday evening lifted the ban on sports in the country, a much-anticipated communication for the sports fraternity, but even with that put to the side, there are still a few guidelines that must be observed if any sports activities are to be allowed. One that will not be well taken is that fact that fans will not be allowed to watch games live from venues.

With competition both at the club and international level just around the corner, many aspects of the games are in question. It has been six months since a ban on sports was imposed and what has Coach Jonathan McKinstry been up to.

“For the last months, myself and the coaching staff have dug deep into what we want to do with the team and looked at every position and every player,” said the coach.

“We’ve used the last months very very well and we’ve been able to put in place some good plans,” he added.

CAF announced that competitive soccer will return in November this year with African Cup of Nations Qualifiers and Uganda will meet CECAFA counterpart South Sudan that gives the team a little over a month to prepare for this fixture that was postponed from March this year.

“We’ve got to make sure that whilst we are trying to get them (players) to their top-level again, we don’t push them too hard because if we push our athletes too much, we are going to get injuries.” Coach Mckinstry said.

“We have engaged the government, engaged the federation and we are very pleased to be able to confirm a training camp for Dubai in the next couple of weeks in early October during the FIFA window,” he added.

Players have been receiving special training at home during the lock and it is time to see if they have put these to great use said the coach.

It is not a green light for GO as yet because different federations will hold meetings with National Council of Sports (NCS) to discuss a way forward as some of the restrictions set by the government pose some issues say, for example, coming up with funds to handle the periodic test for league games that run for several months and also the costs of accommodation in case of locally organised tournaments. So, that implies that it is still a couple of weeks before final decisions are made.

Ally Niyonzima Helped Azam FC Bag 3 Points

By
Evode Munyeshuri
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Courtesy Photo

The 24 year old arrived at Azam FC this season from Rwanda side, Rayon Sports, but he was unable to feature in the first two fixtures of the Vodacom Premier League due to injury.

Fortunately, in his team’s previous game against Mbeya City at Sokoine stadium, where they bagged 3 points, the midfielder made the net wiggle with a power header which was the only goal of the game 25 minutes after the referee’s whistle. This marks Azam FC’s third consecutive win with no loses or draws so far.

In the other matches of the week, SC Simba hummered Biashara United by (4-0). It was a game marked by the greatest performance from Simba midfielder Clatous Chota Chama. The Zambian playmaker scored 2 goals in the match and also assisted the fourth goal scored by Chris Mugalu. Simba’s other goal was scored by Meddie Kagere who had the chance to start for the first time in the season.

On Saturday 19, at Kaitaba stadium, Simba and Azam rival, Young Africans, won their fixture against Kagera Sugar thanks to a lone goal from Mukoko Tonombe.

Here are the full results of the Vodacom Premier League Matchday 3

Ibrahim Kayiwa Returns Home – Wankulukuku.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Courtesy Photo | expressfc.co.ug

25 year old Ibrahim Kayiwa returns to the Red Eagles from Tooro United. The creative midfielder as stated on the club website expressfc.co.ug is the latest addition to coach Wasswa Bossa’s side at Wankulukuku as they fortify the team in preparation for the up coming 2020/21 Uganda Premier League campaign.

ibrahim signed a contract that will see him play for Express FC for two years.

”I’m glad to be back at Express FC, for me, this has always been home and just like all my other teammates, the target is to chase silverware and we can only achieve that by working hard,” said Ibrahim.

Kayiwa has been in and out of the club with this being the third time coming back. During these moves, joined clubs, including champions Vipers SC, Kirinya Jinja SS and Tooro United.

Exclusive Interview With Hadija Namanda – UVF President.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
-

After the Head of state, Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made his national address on Sunday 20th September 2020, Ground Sports managed to get a hold of Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) president Hadija Namanda for an exclusive interview to get more clarity and also to learn what her thoughts were about the uplift on sports acitivies in the country and here is what transpired.

Meeting the SOPs requirements:

“Much as the president has given a green light which we have all been anticipating even with the last talk because we’d already sent in everything that they had requested for all the SOPs. We had bought literally everything we need especially for our league games and the like. So, the dispensers, the temperature guns and everything is with us, so we were hoping that he would open.”

Optimism:

“Even with the last address but by this one me I expected he would announce something.”

Straight into action:

“So, we can’t go straight into business until we meet National Council of Sports as federations but I’m hopeful that Monday Tuesday Wednesday we’ll be able to have that out of the way and then we can communicate to the rest of the fraternity on what is going to be happening.”

“Of course, we cannot start competitively now but we can always finalize with what we were handling that is trying to see that we handle the switch into the FIVB system and then look at all the different integrities because we already had a committee in place to look into the different details. We await their report and then share it with the fraternity and forge a way forward together.”

The constant tests:

“Of course, we’ll raise noise because of the costing because it is expensive.”

“of course, with the issue of constant checks and everything , it’s a protection in it’s way but maybe government will have to come in to provide this for the teams or the federation to a certain level because we cannot afford it.”

Teams participating:

“Every team needs to get back to normal that means they’ll have to start slowly by training, getting back their physical fitness as a team and bonding with their training patterns and all that kind of thing and then slowly getting into the competitive mood by working their technical and tactical aspects as well as us as a federation giving them an opportunity to do tryouts.”

Tournaments:

“We’ll have also to sit with the tournament organizers to see who can host during this time but of course, we are not going to starting competition right away we do not want injuries we do not want performance below par.”

The FANS:

“We are going to open up to online games capture that is streamlining and I think pay TV for some of these games to be able to show our audiences.”

National Council of Sports:

“I believe NCS has taken note of this and I believe in the next few days we can’t go past Friday next week with sitting online to decide on a few things with NCS and then give us the green light.”

Sports Is Now Open In Uganda – It’s A Green Light But Don’t Take To Your Heels Yet.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
-

His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the president of the Republic of Uganda yesterday evening addressed the nation. For the sports family, this was a long-awaited speech as it was highly anticipated that finally there would be a lift on sports activities in the country. Well, the news was music to the ears of many.

Among many other things, President Museveni gave a green light to the resumption of sports in the nation mentioning that:

  • Open-air activities of sports will re-open provided there are no spectators and the players are tested for COVID-19 72 hours before. This test will expire in 4 days. Hence, the Sportsmen will have to repeat the test every fortnight.
  • With Tournaments, teams should be quarantined for the whole season of the competition.
  • Indoor sports activities, including gyms, remain closed and so are casinos, gaming centres and cinemas.

It is a green light but do not take to your heels yet as the principles that limit the extent of the uplift on sports deem it to be partial. Ground Sports managed to get an exclusive interview with Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) president, Hadija Namanda minutes after the national address.

“Much as the president has given a green light which we have all been anticipating even with the last talk because we’d already sent in everything that they had requested for all the SOPs. We had bought literally everything we need especially for our league games and the like. So, the dispensers, the temperature guns and everything are with us, so we were hoping that he would open,” said UVF president.

“Even with the last address but by this one me I expected he would announce something so, we can’t go straight into business until we meet National Council of Sports as a federation but I’m hopeful that Monday Tuesday Wednesday we’ll be able to have that out of the way and then we can communicate to the rest of the fraternity on what is going to be happening,” she added.

Hadija also mentioned that competitive sports will not start immediately because many aspects need to be put into consideration prior and this will all require time and therefore that matter, sports is not yet fully open but baby steps are being taken to see that volleyball and sports activities, in general, are fully back.

It has been little over six months since sports activities were closed due to the global pandemic and a lift on the ban now even with the limitations is hope that in the not so distant future, games will resume and for both the volleyball players and fans, this is one step towards the long-awaited resumption.

FUFA – Stadium Inspection Committee Approved

By
Kenneth Lwanga
-
Courtesy Photo

Football in Uganda has come a long way and due to the passion and competitiveness, the magnitude of development is quite like never before. A number of young stars from the region have been scouted from clubs abroad to play on the international scene, this has built confidence, exposed players and also boosted the competition from individual to club to national level. Various football academies plus a Junior League have been established in the country to spot, develop and prepare young talents for careers in football.

But not only will football in the country evolve through player development but also through structures put in place to manage the proper administration of the sport. Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) in a congress on Tuesday made several decisions and among these was the establishment of a Stadium Inspection Committee.

The quality of the stadium or the playing field is a huge factor that determines greatly the performance in a match with issues ranging from player safety and security at the venue. The committee was established as an Adhoc committee by the FUFA Emergency Committee.

“It will undertake the inspection of all stadiums submitted by clubs for use ahead of the 2020/2021 season. The Adhoc Committee will submit stadium reports to the FUFA
Licensing Committee responsible for issuance of Licenses.” mentioned in a statement on the FUFA website fufa.co.ug

There are already various venues that host matches played in the country’s league and arranging structures that will properly manage these venues is an immense milestone in the evolution of football in the country.

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