UGANDAN PLAYERS ABROAD: Mukasa Shines With Brace, Karungi Stars in Europe as Stars Impress Across the Globe
It was a busy and productive week for Ugandan players plying their trade abroad, with several putting in impressive shifts for their respective clubs across England, Europe, and Africa.
The highlight of the week came in England, where youngster Divine Mukasa stole the headlines. The West Ham United youngster scored a brace in his side’s 3-1 victory over Wolves on Tuesday, before playing 89 minutes as West Ham thrashed Derby County 3-0 on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the English Championship, Ryan Kavuma McQueen featured twice for Portsmouth. He played 65 minutes in their 2-0 loss to Derby on Tuesday, and came off the bench in the 69th minute to help Portsmouth bounce back with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday.
In League One, Toby Sibbick enjoyed a solid week for Burton Albion. He played the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday and completed another 90 minutes as Burton drew 2-2 with Cambridge United on Saturday.
In Scotland, Jordan Obita played 29 minutes as Hibernian lost 3-1 to Hearts, a game in which fellow Ugandan Rogers Mato was an unused substitute for Hearts. Mato was again an unused substitute on Sunday as Hearts beat Dundee United 2-1. In the Scottish Championship, Allan Oyirwoth played the entire match as Dunfermline drew 1-1 with Arbroath.
On the continent, Ugandan internationals were also involved in CAF competitions and domestic leagues.
In the CAF Champions League preliminary round, Khalid Aucho featured for Sidama Coffee in their goalless draw away to Aiglons, while Ronald Ssekiganda started and Hakim Kiwanuka came off the bench as APR FC lost 1-0 to Aigles du Congo. Denis Omedi was an unused substitute as his side APR FC lost 2-0 at home to Pyramids FC.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Travis Mutyaba was named in the starting lineup and Hakim Mutebi started on the bench as CS Sfaxien lost 1-0 away to Nigeria’s Shooting Stars. Mutebi was introduced in the 68th minute.
In Tanzania, Hassan Mubiru provided two assists as Azam FC secured a 2-0 victory over Kagera Sugar on Monday.
In Egypt, Joseph Ochaya played full-time as Arab Contractors edged El Gouna 1-0 on Wednesday.
In Denmark, James Bogere had a tough week with AGF Aarhus. He was introduced in the 59th minute in a 2-0 loss to Midtjylland on Wednesday and was substituted at the start of the second half as Aarhus drew 2-2 with Silkeborg on Saturday. In the Danish Women’s League, Nabumba Phionah played full-time as Midtjylland Women defeated Aarhus Women 2-1.
In Tunisia, Ryan Kizito Figo played the full game as Hammam Sousse lost 1-0 to Metlaoui on Sunday.
In the Czech Republic, John Paul Dembe was an unused substitute as Sigma Olomouc beat Bohemians 3-0, while Aziz Kayondo played the full 90 minutes as Slovan Liberec claimed a 2-1 away win over Jablonec.
In Rwanda, Hussein Ssenoga played the entire match while Freedom Mungudit was substituted in the 46th minute as Mukura Victory Sports Club defeated Gasogi United 2-0.
In the Philippines, defender Magunda Bakali has joined Philippines Football League club Mendiola FC 1991, opening a new chapter in his career abroad. The club is coached by Ugandan tactician Dudu Bosco, whose first league game in charge ended in a 1-1 draw against Maharlika FC.
In Mexico, Sandra Nabweteme played 72 minutes as Santos Laguna Women lost 3-0 to Tigres.
In France, Shadia Nankya was an unused substitute as Le Havre Women lost 1-0 to Marseille Women.
In European competition, Vanessa Karungi was the standout performer. The Crested Cranes goalkeeper played 90 minutes as her Danish side Brondby thrashed ZFK Spartak Subotica 4-1 in the UEFA Europa Women’s Cup Qualifiers. Brondby advanced to the next round with a 9-1 aggregate win.
Elsewhere, Allan Okello featured as ASFAR beat OCS 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.
In Algeria, Torach Rogers played full-time as his side Constantine drew 1-1 with Temouchent
Overall, it was a week of mixed fortunes but encouraging minutes for Ugandan stars abroad, with Mukasa’s brace and Karungi’s European heroics headlining a busy period. As domestic seasons gain momentum and CAF competitions kick off, more Ugandan players are expected to play key roles for their clubs in the coming weeks.
