UGANDAN PLAYERS ABROAD ROUND-UP: Mato and Anaku On Target, Nagadya Bags Brace on Debut, Nabweteme Provides Assist
It was another busy and productive week for Ugandan players plying their trade abroad, with several finding the back of the net, providing assists, and registering impressive performances across Africa, Europe, and America.
In Tanzania, Hassan Mubiru opened his Azam FC account on Monday as they defeated Namungo 2-0. On the same day, Joseph Akandwanaho was named in the starting lineup for TRA United as they edged Pamba 3-1.
In England, Divine Mukasa featured prominently for West Ham U21s. He played 66 minutes on Tuesday as they edged Bolton 3-2, before playing the full 90 minutes on Friday as they thumped Wrexham 6-0 in the Premier League 2.
In League One, Ryan Kavuma McQueen played 16 minutes as Portsmouth drew 0-0 with Charlton Athletic, while Toby Sibbick played full-time as Burton Albion lost 3-0 to Oxford City.
In Scotland, Rogers Mato was on the scoresheet, netting Hearts’ second goal in the 39th minute in their Scottish League Cup win over Stenhousemuir. Fellow midfielder Allan Oyirwoth featured for 70 minutes as Dunfermline Athletic defeated Queens Park 2-0.
In the Czech Republic, Aziz Kayondo played the entire game as Slovan Liberec claimed a 3-0 victory over Mlada Boleslav, while John Paul Dembe was an unused substitute as Sigma Olomouc edged Plzen 3-2.
In Germany, Herbert Bockhorn featured for 73 minutes as Magdeburg defeated Kaiserslautern 3-0.
In Denmark, James Bogere came on as a 77th-minute substitute as AGF Aarhus lost 2-0 to Nordsjaelland, while Vanessa Karungi was an unused substitute as Brondby thrashed Odense 4-0 in the women’s league.
In Egypt, Joseph Ochaya captained Arab Contractors for 85 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Al Ahly, while Kenneth Semakula played 12 minutes as Al Ittihad Alexandria beat Asyut Petroleum 1-0.
On the African continent, Hakim Kiwanuka came on as a substitute as APR FC defeated Aigle Noir 3-0 in the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round. APR advanced 3-1 on aggregate, although Ronald Ssekiganda was not in the matchday squad.
In Ethiopia, Khalid Aucho featured for Sidama Coffee as they thrashed Burundi’s Aigle Noir 3-0 to advance to the next round of the CAF Champions League.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Travis Mutyaba started while Hakim Mutebi came off the bench as CS Sfaxien claimed a 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s Shooting Stars. The Tunisian side advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Allan Okello also featured for AS FAR in their 3-2 preseason friendly win over WST, while Rogers Torach played the full 90 minutes as CS Constantine defeated MC El Bayadh 3-0 in the Algerian Ligue 1.
In Tunisia, Ryan Figo Kizito played full-time as Hammam Sousse lost 3-1 to Stade Tunisien.
In South Sudan, Jude Ssemugabi came on as a substitute as JAMUS SC edged Kator 2-0.
In USA, Steven Sserwadda featured for 71 minutes as Connecticut United lost to Atlanta United II in MLS Next Pro, while Toto Majub was an unused substitute for Atlanta.
In the USL Championship, Sadat Anaku starred for Hartford Athletic, scoring a goal and providing an assist in their 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Bobosi Byaruhanga was introduced at halftime for Oakland Roots, while Noble Okello featured for 67 minutes for Lexington SC in their 4-1 win over Oakland.
Sadam Masereka was an unused substitute as Colorado Springs Switchbacks defeated San Antonio 2-1.
In women’s football, Catherine Nagadya scored a brace on her Al Ahly debut in their emphatic 19-0 win over SAK FC in Egypt, while Sandra Nabweteme provided an assist as Santos Laguna claimed a 3-2 victory over Atletico San Luis in Mexico.
From Mato and Anaku scoring crucial goals to Nagadya announcing herself with a debut brace and Nabweteme creating the winning moment, Ugandan players continue to make their mark globally. With CAF competitions heating up and league seasons gaining momentum, more impactful performances are expected in the coming weeks.
