UGANDAN STARS ABROAD: Ssemujju, Mukasa, Anaku and Arigumaho On Target as Ugandans Shine Across The Globe
It was another action-packed week for Ugandan footballers plying their trade abroad, with several of our exports finding the back of the net, providing decisive assists, keeping clean sheets and earning Man of the Match accolades. From the Championship in England to the USL in America, the Zambian Super League, and the CAF inter-club competitions, Ugandans continue to make their presence felt.
Denis Omedi in White X Bruno Bunyaga
Here is a detailed player-by-player breakdown of how each star performed:
KENYA – FKF Premier League
The Kenyan Premier League remains a strong hunting ground for Ugandan talent. Denis Omedi put in a tireless shift, playing 55 minutes for league giants Gor Mahia as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over APS Bomet.
Directly up against him was fellow Ugandan Bruno Bunyaga, who also featured prominently for APS Bomet and made life difficult for his compatriot’s side.
In action Bruno Bunyaga
Elsewhere, defender Ismail Kawawulo showed great composure and defensive discipline, playing the entire 90 minutes as KCB FC claimed a vital 1-0 victory over Mathare United to keep their momentum going.
goalkeeper Tom Ikara was in outstanding form, keeping a well-deserved clean sheet as AFC Leopards were held to a goalless draw by Bandari FC. In that same encounter, attacking midfielder Samuel Ssenyonjo started brightly for Leopards and was later withdrawn in the 81st minute after an energetic display.
For Bandari, William Wadri was handed a starting berth and led the line with intent, while veteran striker Derrick Nsibambi started from the bench.
Joseph Seremba in action
At Nairobi United FC, it was a Ugandan affair as Gavin Kizito, Mustapha Kizza, and Joseph Seremba were all handed starting roles, with Titus Ssematimba starting off the bench as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn Shabana FC side.
ENGLAND – Championship, League One & Two
Kavuma McQueen – Portsmouth (Championship): It was a week to remember for the young left winger . On Wednesday night, McQueen showcased his attacking prowess by providing a crucial assist as Portsmouth defeated Sheffield United 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
He backed that up on Saturday with another mature performance, playing 70 solid minutes at left-wing as Pompey edged Norwich City 1-0 at Carrow Road in a hostile atmosphere.
Divine Mukasa – West Ham United U21: The England youth international of Ugandan descent continues to shine On Saturday, Mukasa was the hero, scoring the only goal of the game as West Ham U21s claimed a 1-0 victory over Swansea City.
Just days earlier on Wednesday, he was an unused substitute as the Hammers’ senior side thrashed Lincoln City 6-0 .
Nathan Asimwe – Salford City (League Two): The young right-back continues to get valuable minutes.
Asimwe was introduced in the 84th minute and helped Salford City see out a narrow but important 1-0 victory over Crawley Town, showing great game management.
Eliah Ssemakula scored for Chelsea U18 as they edged Reading 3-0 on Tuesday
Ssemakula Eliah – courtesy Photo
Toby Sibbick – Burton Albion (League One): The versatile defender played the full 90 minutes and was a pillar at the back as Burton Albion played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Peterborough United on Saturday.
CAF INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS
Confederation Cup: Travis Mutyaba was handed a big opportunity and was named in CS Sfaxien’s starting XI as the Tunisian giants drew 1-1 with Academie De FAD in the first leg of the second preliminary round.
His fellow Ugandan Hakim Mutebi came on as a second-half substitute to inject fresh energy into the attack. Meanwhile, creative midfielder Allan Okello put in a full 70-minute shift for his side AS FAR Rabat of Morocco as they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Korhogo in a cagey affair.
Champions League: Hakim Kiwanuka was introduced in the 59th minute as he tried to rescue a result, while Ronald Ssekiganda was unfortunate not to make the matchday squad as Rwandan champions APR FC fell 1-0 to Egyptian giants Zamalek.
In another fixture, midfield general Khalid Aucho featured for Ethiopian side Sidama Coffee as they lost 2-0 to Sudanese powerhouse Al Hilal in the second preliminary round first leg.
ZAMBIA – Super League
Joseph Ssemujju – Kansanshi Dynamos: He was undoubtedly the standout Ugandan performer of the week. Ssemujju delivered a Man of the Match performance, scoring a brilliant goal and then winning a penalty after being brought down in the box.
His teammate Beby Musangala stepped up and converted to secure a crucial 2-1 win over Konkola Blades in the Zambian Premier League.
Keziron Kizito – Kansanshi Dynamos: In the same victorious side, experienced midfielder Keziron Kizito came off the bench in the 51st minute to add control and stability in midfield as Kansanshi held on for all three points.
USA – USL Championship
Sadat Anaku – Hartford Athletic: Despite ending on the losing side, Anaku found the back of the net and played 82 minutes of high-intensity football as Hartford Athletic suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Brooklyn FC in an end-to-end encounter.
Sadat Anaku- courtesy Photo
Edward Kizza – Indy Eleven: Striker Kizza was given 45 minutes of action as his side Indy Eleven were humbled 4-1 by high-flying Louisville City.
Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots: The combative midfielder played 81 minutes and was instrumental in midfield as Oakland Roots claimed an impressive 4-2 victory over FC Tulsa.
Sadam Masereka – Colorado Springs Switchbacks: Masereka was introduced in the 60th minute and made an immediate impact, helping his side Switchbacks defeat Monterey Bay 1-0.
Sadam Masereka
RWANDA – Premier League
Nicholas Ssebwato – Amagaju: Goalkeeper Ssebwato featured between the sticks as Amagaju produced a dominant display to defeat Sunrise FC 4-0.
Sieri Arigumaho – Etoile de l’Est: Arigumaho was on the scoresheet, scoring a vital goal for Etoile de l’Est as they fought to a 1-1 draw with Mukura Victory Sports.
Freedom Mungudit: The forward was introduced in the 73rd minute as he looked to change the complexion of the game.
Charles Ayiekoh continues to serve as part of the coaching staff at Gasogi United, who unfortunately lost 2-0 to Bugesera FC.
REST OF EUROPE
Czech Republic: In a Ugandan derby, Aziz Kayondo played the entire game for Slovan Liberec, who lost 1-0 to Sigma Olomouc.
His countryman John Paul Dembe remained on the bench for the entire game for Sigma Olomouc.
Scotland: Rogers Mato featured for 36 minutes after coming on in the 56th minute as Hearts of Midlothian suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat away to champions Celtic.
Belgium Cup: Arnold Vula featured for Beerschot VA as they pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over giants Anderlecht.
In the same competition, Abdoulaye Sissako played full-time and provided a delightful assist in the 71st minute as Sint-Truiden defeated La Louvière 4-1.
Denmark: James Bogere played 16 minutes as AGF Aarhus drew 1-1 with Copenhagen in the Danish Superliga, while Phionah Nabumba played 54 minutes as FC Midtjylland Women drew 0-0 with Nordsjaelland.
Slovenia: Genesis Ocen Odiya played 46 minutes as his side Tabor Sezana defeated Ilirija 1911 1-0 in the National League.
Austria: Kevin Owusu Boateng played 15 minutes as Austria Wien lost 3-2 to SV Ried.
Malta: Goalkeeper David Udoh Akpan played 45 minutes on Sunday as his side Mosta drew 3-3 with Floriana in a six-goal thriller.
Sweden: Goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi played the full 90 minutes as Assyriska FF lost 3-1 to Umea in Division One Norra.
Tunisia: Ryan Figo Kizito featured for Hammam Sousse as they lost 2-0 to Ben Guerdane in the Tunisian Ligue 1.
Switzerland: Diaby Souleymane was an unused substitute as FC Winterthur lost 1-0 to Luzern in the Swiss Cup .
All in all, it was a highly productive week for the Ugandan diaspora. With goals from Joseph Ssemujju, Divine Mukasa, Sadat Anaku and Sieri Arigumaho, plus assists from Kavuma McQueen and Abdoulaye Sissako, and a clean sheet from Tom Ikara, the Ugandan flag continues to fly high abroad.