Moses Kipsiro yesterday evening won the maiden Great South Run in the United Kingdom.

The 2010, 2014 Commonwealth 10,000 gold medalist crossed the finishing line following 10 mile race in record time 46:00, beating Kenyan Emmanuel Kipsang and 2013 Championship winner Emmanuel Bett to win the race.

The first seven miles had the Ugandan athlete to earn the front line lead against main contenders  that included  2013 world cross country champion Japhet Korir, 2007 world championships 10,000m bronze medalist Martin Mathathi, Evans Kirui and 2015 San Diego Half Marathon winner Kevin Kosgei.

“It was a good performance to my side, the course is flat and the weather was favourable,” an exited Kipsiro told the IAAF after the race.

This was Kipsiro’s third top finish since his poor finish that saw him finish 14^th at the Lausanne Diamond League (DL) in Switzerland.

Before his flight the 29 year old athlete had promised to win the championship as a way of enabling him up his performance ahead of the clocking world big tournaments that include the 2016 Rio Olympics to be held in Brazil.

Meanwhile at the Championship, Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won the women’s race with a record time 51:17, beating Great Britain’s and 2014 European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey by 1:27.

CHAN 2016 Qualifier (Third Round) – Return Leg

Sudan Falcons 0-2 Uganda Cranes

(Uganda win 4-0 on aggregate)

Two first half goals from Ceaser Okhuti and Cranes skipper Farouk Miya were enough for Micho boys to book their slot in 2016 CHAN tournament to be held in Rwanda

On form Express FC forward Ceaser Okhuti scored in the 43^rd minute before Farouk Miya doubled the lead in the 45^th minute.

With an aggregate score lead that read 4-0 in favour of the Cranes, the second half witnessed the Cranes side in an easy display of the ball with maximum confidence.

Uganda had won against Sudan during the first leg with a similar score.

Frank Kalanda and Miya Farouk were on the score sheet at Nakivubo stadium.

Cranes head Coach Micho Sredejovic hailed the players for their effort geared in and promised a good showpiece at the final tournament.

This is the third straight time that Uganda is making it to the final CHAN tournament, having previously played in Sudan (2011), South Africa (2014) and now in Rwanda come 2016

Only Isaac Muleme and Ivan Ntege on the current team were part of the Cranes set up in South Africa, a year ago.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament is designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues.

Defending champions, Libya missed qualification and will not be part of the 16 finalists in Rwanda.

Line Up:

Uganda Cranes XI:

James Alitho (GK), Denis Okot, Joseph Ochaya , Shafiq Bakaki, Ayub Kiiza, Ivan Ntege, Bernard Muwanga, Erisa Sekisambu, Muzamir Mutyaba, Ceasar Okhuti and Faruku Miya (Captain)

Substitutes made:

Ayub Kizza was replaced by Isaac Muleme, Muzamir Mutyaba was replaced by Kezironi Kizito and Erisa Ssekisambu was replaced by Frank Kalanda

Subs Not Used:

Mathias Kigonya (GK), Ibrahim Kiyemba, John Semazzi, Tony Odur

Victoria University Inter-High School Championships came to an end on Saturday last week, with Hana Mixed High School, emerging as the overall winner.

They rose through the stages to reach on the top after beating other schools which took part in the competition.

They included; Turkish Light Academy, Taibah High School, Kabojja International Schools, Rainbow International School, Word of Life International, British International School, Diplomatic School of Uganda and Kampala International School, respectively. During the competitions, Swimming, Basketball and soccer were among the major sports activities where very stiff competition from the participants was realized.

Besides, it’s an initiative from Victoria University’s Faculty of Health Sciences that focuses on using sport to enrich the lives of High school students and young people of all abilities in the country.

“Victoria University seeks to create, promote and foster cooperation among High Schools and College’s by providing a forum for communication and discussion, promoting activities and by seeking to serve as an extension of each member school’s programs to enable students go through a variety of games and sports while reinforcing the core elements of fitness that lead to a long, healthy, active life through Academic and intellectual pursuits, Sports competitions, Fine and performing arts activities; as well as Cultural and intercultural opportunities”, Oscar Kamukama, the university’s marketing and recruitment specialist explained.

The Inter-High School Championship games attracted over 550 students, who actively involved in the games that aimed at enhancing awareness amongst the students in understanding how to live a healthy life, Principals, Career guidance Teachers, Parents and Members of the community.

The University’s Dean Faculty of Health Sciences Dr. Patience Muwanguzi, says, they hope to fulfill their goal through promoting the 5 dimensions of health (social, physical, intellectual, environmental and emotional well-being) Meanwhile, Turkish Light Academy Lweza, emerged the winner in soccer, and Hana Mixed dominated Swimming and Basket ball.

 SC Villa has sacked their coach Antonnio Flores.

Flores a Spanish International was issued with a formal letter on Wednesday from the club’s Chief Executive Officer  after spending four months at the club.

“Sports Club Villa Jogoo Uganda and Antonio Flores have today reached a mutual understanding to end the latter’s head coach obligations. He remains part of us as a club ambassador and marketer of our players in Europe.

We thank Mr. Flores for the time he has coached SC Villa and wish him the best in his coaching endeavors,” reads the statement issued by club management

The poor  performance by the club in the 2015/2016 Azam Uganda Premier League has been the story behind Flores’ sacking with the club having lost three and won only two out of the seven games.

SC Villa opened up with a 1-0 loss away to Bright Stars, losing 2-1 to Vipers at Nambole before the last nail in the coffin where they lost 2-1 to Soana FC at Kavumba recreation Stadium on Tuesday 27^th October 2015.

The assistant coach to Flores, Francisco Soriano Martinez on 27th September 2015 resigned from his role at went back to Spain though the club denied the development citing the later had gone  for a visit.

With such a poor start in the season, the club is left stumbling in the 13th place out of the 16 team log with just 8 points fetched in the seven league fixtures played so far.

Ibrahim Kirya, who has been the assistant will now regain his command in charge of Villa

SC Villa hosts Express on Friday in a highly billed domestic league clash at Nakivubo stadium.

A team of five players was on Wednesday were flagged off to represent Uganda at the All Africa Pool Championship that kicks off today in Lesotho.

Team Ugandan captained by Oscar Ocakacon is comprised of other four players and they are; National Pool Champion Amos Nyagumanawe who beat teammate Gumikiriza Alfred last Saturday at Lugogo Indoor Arena.

The other players on the team are Fahad Ssewankambo and Sula Matovu.

This will be Uganda’s second time to feature at the continental level having participated at the Tanzanian Championship last year where the She Cranes Pool team scooped silver after finish behind winners South Africa while Pool Cranes finished fourth.

Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) vice chairman David Mugabi led the team with PAU treasurer Douglas Mayanja.

Other counties at the Championship include defending champions South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and hosts Lesotho.

With just a five days after the sacking of Spaniard Antonnio Flores from Villa Park, another Ugandan club head Coach in the names of Moses Basena faced URA’s blood dripping axe.

Basena’s sacking comes at the time when the taxmen (URA) are in their poor start ever having won only 2 out of their 8 league matches played this season.

His exit came shortly after URA lost their game to AUPL debutants Saints FC,  1 – 0.

They drew goal-less with Express FC, army side- Simba before losing Sadolin Paints FC in a 4-1 thriller, losing 2-1 to SC V University and 1-0 to league debutants, The Saints FC.

Basena has coached clubs like Sports Club Villa, KCCA F.C, Express, Simba SC and Makerere University.

Basena was officially unveiled to the media as a URA FC head coach on August 24, 2015 with his assistant, Kefa Kisala.

Kefa Kisala has been officially instructed to take over the club.

He becomes the third Uganda Premier League coach to be axed this season.

John Bosco Oketayot from Gulu on Thursday afternoon left Ntinda Shs30M richer after hitting a jackpot from BetPawa.

Oketayot, who was head over heels after being handed the money intimated to Pepper Sport that it was actually his third time to bet online.

Apparently, he was so afraid that even when he wins, the company may not meet its obligation of pay back but when he was called to Ntinda to pick his money, it left him literally on cloud nine.

Overall Winner: South Africa

2nd finish- Uganda Pool Cranes (Silver)

Uganda Pool Cranes finished 2nd to win silver medal at the 2015 All Africa Pool Championships in Maseru, Lesotho over the weekend.

Team Uganda captained by Oscar Ocacakon started the campaign on a poor note following an 11-14 loss to South Africa on Friday.

Pool Cranes bounced back to beat Zimbabwe and Lesotho 17-8 and 16-9 respectively.

Team Captain, Oscar Ocacakon was impressed with the performance of the team having finished 4th last year in Tanzania in the same Championship.

“I am so happy that for this time, we have managed to go the podium position, last year it was a difficult task for us but at least we have finally improved a lot in just a year.”

Meanwhile at individual category, Fahad Ssewankambo took the show as he was Uganda’s best performer after winning a third place slot to bag a bronze medal.

This was Uganda’s second time to participate in the All Africa Black ball Pool championship after featuring in the same championship last year, hosted in Tanzania.

• Winner: Ronald Ssebuguzi / Leone Ssenyange
• Runners up: Uganda Cranes (CHAN team)

Sports Journalists body (USPA) has named the rally crew of Ronald Ssebuguzi (driver) and Leone Ssenyange (navigator) the best sports personalities of the month of October after winning the Total UMOSPOC Independence day rally.

During the monthly press meeting held at Imperial Royale hotel, Kampala, the members first had a moment of silence in memory of two fallen sports personalities in Harriet Apako (Netball and handball) and Hajj Juma Nkambwe (Motor sport).

Ssebuguzi tallied 480 votes to overcome the CHAN Uganda Cranes team that finished second with 465 votes.

The crew in their Mitsubishi EvoX (10) sprinted through a wet Busika circuit to set a record finishing time of 11 minutes, 29seconds during the super special stage section

Other recommended Personalities;

– Hima Cement Heathens who won the Uganda rugby cup after edging fierce rivals Kobs 13-10 at Kyadondo rugby grounds.

– Uganda Cranes Chan team Skipper, Farouk Miya who scored two goals in both legs of the CHAN qualifier against Sudan that helped the team progress to the final tournament come next year.

– Athlete, Moses Kipsiro for winning two races in October; the great Scottish run in Glasgow Scotland and the great south run in Portsmouth England.

-Joshua Cheptegei who won the ASICS grand Berlin 10km run.

-Amos Ndyagumanawe won the Nile Special national open Pool tournament.

Preparations for Uganda’s top sporting event, the MTN Kampala Marathon 2015 are in full gear, with nine foreign elite runners confirming their participation.

The nine sprinters include Kenya’s Rael Kimaiyo Jepyator, Kiprop Tonui, Julius Kibet, Doris Jepchumba Todophus, Pamela Anisomuk, Barnabas Kipyego, Kiptoo Julius Kibet and Tanzania’s Fabiola William John, Msenduki Mohamed all running the 42km race.

In 2014, Ugandans, Alex Chesakit and Carolyne Migadde broke the Kenyan dominance winning the main 42 Km event for both men and women’s category.

Chesakit thus became the third Ugandan to win the 42 event in the 11 years of the Marathon since Francis Musani (2008) and Joseph Nsubuga (2004).

Now with the entry of the nine elite runners, Uganda’s chances at the top prizes remains to be seen yet again.

The annual event is sponsored by MTN Uganda. Other sponsors are Stanbic Bank, Huawei, Rwenzori Bottling Company and Vision Group with main partners being Uganda Athletics Federation.

With a theme “Run for Kampala, This year the proceeds of the MTN Marathon will go towards the construction of smart bio-toilets in KCCA managed schools in Kampala.

Below is the profile of some of the elite runners 

 Rael Kimaiyo Jepyator (Born 1984)

She has attended several marathons overtime having a personal best of 2:34:23 set in Warszawa 2011. Her season best is 2:37:46 set at the Luxembourg marathon. Kimaiyo has run the Odense marathon finishing with a time of 2:41:25, the Porto marathon (2:40:21) and Bruxelles marathon (2:41:20)

 Kiprop Tonui (Born 1986)

He has a personal best of 2:16:19 set at the Mombasa marathon last year – 2014. He won the 2015 Tallinn marathon winning the race in 2:18:04 this year.

 Fabiola William John (Born 1984)

She has represented Tanzania at the World Championships and Olympic Games on several occasions. She has a personal best of 2:34:41 set at the Edinburg marathon. She won the Kilimanjaro marathon this year.

 Msenduki Mohamed

Msenduki represented Tanzania at the World Championships in Athletics, Moscow. He has run several international marathons including the Groningen Marathon where he finished 2^nd with a time of 2:14:21.

Kiptoo Julius Kibet

Kibet is starting his full marathon career. He has been participating at the 10,000m track event and had his debut half marathon this year at the Stanchart Marathon – Nairobi running 1:02. (62 minutes).

Vipers SC 1-3 Police FC,

KCCA FC 1-0 Bright Stars.

Police FC on Friday evening defeated reigning League Champions, Vipers SC in a 3-1 encounter; match played at Buikwe stadium the home ground of Vipers SC.

Vipers conceded within the first four minutes after Police FC Sadat Kyambadde curved in a well taken free kick to give Police FC an early lead.

Veteran striker Peter Senyonjo doubled the lead in the 61^st later minute before Hood Kaweesa completing the score thereby bagging all the three points.

Former KCCA FC and Proline attacker, William Wadri scored the consolation goal for the hosts.

On the other side, KCCA FC regained back the top slot following their 1-0 thumping of a resilient Bright Stars.

New recruit, Nelson Senkatuka’s solitary goal in the 44^th minute handed the garbage collectors a win to enable them top the 16 club log with 21 points.

Body Builder, Ivan Byekwaso has continued to defy the odds after winning the INBA Natural Body building World Cup in San Diego a contest held at the Harrahs Resort on Saturday in the USA.

Byekwsao who had spent close to a month in San Diego for his training sessions under Coach Gaspar Lorenzo a renowned San Diego based natural bodybuilding coach managed to outclass 200 body building competitors to lift the (short men 175cm) gong.

He beat American and Australian competitors in the final to become the only African to win the INBA Mr. Universe and the World Cup contest.

This year in September Byekwaso clinched to the INBA world’s Mr. Natural Universe fitness title held in Texas-US.

The 37 year old body builder now awaits the Natural Olympia contest which will take place in Las Vegas come November 12-15 to extend his world record in the sport.

The excited Byekwaso promised Ugandans to win a second gold from the two events he went to participate in (World Cup and Natural Olympia) before coming back home.
“For everyday God has been always with me and being the source for everything, I promise to repeat the same and come back home with two gold medals plus the overall trophy,” Byekwaso said in an interview after winning the World Cup title.

Byekwaso’s showpiece at the Natural Olympia body building contest will be his second after last year where he won a bronze.

However in the race, he is likely to be joined by country mate, Mubarak Kizito and  Billy Ssetenda though their Visa acquisition are still pending.

Uganda Cranes is to face rivals Kenya in the forthcoming CECAFA senior Challenge according to the draws released on Monday in Ethiopia for the 2015 edition

The tournament was initially scheduled to be hosted in Rwanda However, in June 2015, it was announced that Ethiopia replaced Rwanda as host due to Rwanda’s preparation to host the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Uganda, the 13^th record Cup holders have been placed in Pool B alongside 6 time winners Kenya, Burundi and minors Djibouti with the tournament confirmed to roll off from 21^st November to 5^th December 2015 in Addis Ababa.

Group A will comprise of hosts Ethiopia, guest team Zambia, Tanzania as well and Somalia while group C will highlight a Sudanese derby between South Sudan and Sudan Khartoum together with Rwanda and Zanzibar.

Kenya is the defending champion, a trophy they won in 2013 at their home ground in Nyayo Stadium after beating Sudan in the finals.

Twelve countries from the region have already confirmed their showpiece with Zambia coming in as a guest participant.

2015 CECAFA SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP GROUPS

Group A: Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Somalia

Group B: Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti

Group C: Sudan, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zanzibar.

Barely two days to the long anticipated tie that will see Uganda off to play Togo in 2018 is FIFA World Cup Russia qualifier, the Cranes camp has geared up due to the arrival of more professional players.

South African based duo Ivan Bukenya and versatile midfielder Yasser Mugerwa on Monday afternoon arrived in the camp at Lubowa Bible University.

The other latest players to join the camp are; Portugues based and Rio Ave FC attacker William Luwaga Kizito and right full back Dennis Iguma.

The four join other players who had already started serious residential training with team skipper Geofrey Massa in command, experienced Tony Mawejje, Moses Oloya, Goefrey Baba Kizito amaong others.

Meanwhile Cranes shot stopper Denis Onyango, Aucho Khalid, Geoffrey Walusimbi and Salim Jamal are expected to jet in before Tuesday evening.

The Uganda Cranes in command of Coach Micho had a light training session at Planet Fitness Gym and SPA in Namugongo before switching to Lubowa Bible Society.

Other players in Camp
Alitho James, Robert Odongkara, Okot Denis Oola, Isaac Isinde, Ivan Bukenya, Isaac Muleme, Dennis Iguma, Murushid Juuko, Shafik Bakaki, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Tony Mawejje, Moses Oloya, Luwaga Kizito William, Yasser Mugerwa, Joseph Ochaya, Ceaser Okhuti, Hamis Diego Kiiza, Brian Umony, Miya Farouk, Ntege Ivan, Keziron Kizito, Geofrey Massa, Mutyaba Muzamiru.

With only Moses Golola tipped to be the God father of kick boxing in Uganda plus a few male fighters like Ronald Mugula, Umar Semata and others, female kick boxer Patricia Apolot is now a new chapter in Ugandan kick boxing arena following her title glory against Hungarian fighter Anita Nagy.

Patricia Apolot managed defend her title when she knocked-out Hungarian Anita Nagy at the Dunaujvaros Arena in Hungary to extend her record of the only female Uganda fighter to win an international bout.

Apolot outclassed Anita Nagy with strong punches that forced the Hungarian national champion to land on the canvas.

Her left hook punch on Nagy’s chin left the Hungarian with a cut and the opponent couldn’t continue with the fight.

The excited Apolot promised to set up more new records after retaining the World Kickboxing Federation-International title.

“I’m eager to set up more records for the sport, I was ready to retain the belt and with God’s grace, it came true,” she remarked after the fight.

Apolot had left the country last Thursday a day she had promised to retain back her belt that she won way back on June 27 this year after knocking out Serbian Ivana Mirkov in the same arena.

The team that involved Patrick Luwooya is expected to return this Friday.

Sepp Blatter was admitted to hospital after suffering an “emotional breakdown” following the criminal and ethics action opened against him, it emerged on Wednesday.

Blatter, the suspended Fifa president, admitted to hospital in Zurich on Friday for checks on what was ­described initially as “stress” but is now expected to keep him under medical supervision until Monday. Sources close to the Swiss, 79, said that he had suffered a “small emotional breakdown”.

His adviser, Klaus Stoehlker, said: “He is in hospital but he has just been told to ­relax for a few days and he will be back to work on Tuesday. His most important message is that he is fully preparing himself to go ahead with his fight against his 90-day suspension.”

Stoehlker ­added that Blatter said he had no ­involvement in the scandal to have engulfed Germany’s 2006 World Cup bid, which has led to the resignation of its football association president, Wolfgang Niersbach.

Germany’s bid leaders, including Niersbach and Franz Beckenbauer, have been accused of using €6.7 million (£4.73 million) to set up a slush fund to buy votes. They have denied any wrongdoing as did yesterday the disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner following the emergence of a document appearing to link him with the scandal.

“I have never, ever had any agreement of any kind with anyone on Germany’s hosting of the 2006 World Cup,” Warner wrote in an email to German broadcaster Sport 1. “I have said a thousand times that I have no intention of talking or writing to anyone about my 30 years sojourn in the Fifa. Nor do I have no intention [sic] of joining the international media circus whose only objective seems to be demean and denigrate.”

Franz Beckenbauer denies wrongdoing in the 2006 World Cup bid

It has been claimed that Warner had an account called ‘LOC [Local Organising Committee] Germany 2006 Limited’, while the German FA (DFB) confirmed reports of a draft agreement with Warner, signed in part by Beckenbauer, who was chairman of the 2006 World Cup organising committee. The draft contract is said to have offered a lucrative friendly against Germany, but no cash. It remains unclear whether the document was used.

Another former Fifa vice-president, Eugenio Figueredo, agreed yesterday to be extradited from Switzerland to his native Uruguay to face corruption charges.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice had approved Figueredo’s extradition to the United States in September, something against which he appealed, although he could still be forced to travel there.

Figueredo is accused of having taken bribes worth millions in connection with the award of broadcast rights.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/

World Cup Qualifier; Togo 0-1 Uganda Cranes.

Uganda Cranes’ hope of advancing to the next round of the 2018 World Cup are high following their 1 – 0 win  against Togo on Thursday evening at the Kegue stadium in Lome.

Farouk Miya’s 40^th minute free kick that slightly deflected off from Joseph Ochaya secured a win for the gallant Cranes.

One should still not forget Uganda’s shot stopper, Dennis Masinde Onyango for having saved a Mathieu Dossevi penalty kick in 52^nd minute that kept the Cranes in the driving seat.

The hosts who had for long enjoyed the possession, attacking the Cranes backline of Isaac Isinde and Murshid Jjuko failed to break the jinx.

In the dying minutes of the game, Cranes tactician Mltin Micho Sredojevi made changes replacing Moses Oloya with Baba Kizito, Diego Hamis Kizza with Brian Umony before skipper Geofrey Masa paved way for Ceaser Okhuti.

Uganda would have doubled the lead had it not been Ceaser Okhuti’s failure to find the back of the net with just 8 minutes to the end of the game during his one on one against Togolese goalkeeper Djehani.

This was Uganda’s first time to beat the western side in their last six encounters.

The Cranes are to jet in on Friday aboard a chartered plane donated by President Museveni and prepare for a return leg slated for Sunday 15^th November 2015 at Nelson Mandela National stadium.

Uganda Rugby Cranes sevens coach Tolbert Onyango named a 12-man squad that flew to South Africa on Wednesday night to participate in the Africa Olympic qualifiers slated for  14^th and 15^th November, at Barnard Stadium, Johannesburg.

The team that will compete to book a slot in the Rio 2016 Olympics  to be held in Brazil will face a stiff competitions from giants South Africa a side that finished 4^th in the recently concluded Rugby World Cup that was held in England.

Onyango’s squad comprised of skipper Micheal Wokorach, James Ijongat, Solomon Okia, Ivan Magomu, Lawrence Ssebuliba and Phillip Wokorach.

The other named players were Micheal Echodu, Pius Ogena, Eric Kasiita, Ramathan Govule, James Odongo and Paul Masendi.

Uganda’s last International tournament was the Glasgow Common Wealth games where they were humiliated by Canada in a 32-00 thumping last year.

The Squad

Wokorach Philip, Wokorach Michael (Captain), Solomon Okia, Ivan Magomu,Pius Ogena, Eric Kasiita, Ecodu Emmanuel, Paul Masendi, Ramathan Govule, James Ijongat, James Odongo, Lawrence Ssebuliba

Officials

Coach: Tolbert Onyango

Team Manager: Michael Wandera

Olympics Qualifiers Africa 7s Pools

Pool A: Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Senegal,

Pool B: Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia

Pool C: Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, Tunisia

Uganda eased past Togo with a resounding 3-0 win on Sunday in Kampala to complete a double and move into the final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers 4-0 on aggregate.

The Cranes were dominant from start and after just five minutes, skipper Geoffrey Massa fired a long strike from 20 yards that eluded Djehani N’gussad for the opener.

The dominance continued yielding three successive corners by the quarter-hour mark for the Cranes.

Both sides were forced to make quick substitutions due to injuries, Serge Akakpo paved way for Fessou Placca in the 20th minute on the part of Togo, and midfielder Khalid Aucho making way for Geofrey Kizito for the hosts.

Before the break, midfielder William Luwagga Kizito on a counter fetched Godfrey Walusimbi who passed the ball to Miya Farouk, and he struck home the second goal on 40 minutes.

Four Minutes later Farouk scored the Cranes’ third goal from a well laid pass from Massa before half-volleying home for his second of the day and take the game beyond the visitors.

The second half witnessed a very wasteful Cranes team whilst the Togolese labored in search of a consolation, which was fruitless.

The draws for the 2016 African Nations Championship to be held in Rwanda have been conducted with Uganda pooled in Group D.

Uganda will be playing alongside Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mali.

Uganda will be in a group opener against West African side, Mali on January 19, before playing Zambia on January 23, and against Zimbabwe on January 27 in closing group match.

Uganda played Zimbabwe during the 2014 CHAN edition where the Cranes drew with the Southern outfits in a goalless score.

This will be Uganda’s first time to face Zambia and Mali at the championship.

The draws witnessed the attendance of Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame and delegates from the Confederation of African Football.

Paul Kagame who conducted the first draw picking giants Ivory Coast a side Rwanda is to play on January 17.

At the tournament, Group A will be based at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Group B in Butare, Group C at the Nyamirambo Stadium, also in Kigali with Gisenyi hosting Group D where the Cranes fall.

Pool A: Rwanda, Morocco Ivory Coast, Gabon
Pool B: DR Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Angola
Pool C: Tunisia, Niger, Guinea, Nigeria
Pool D: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mali