Club News - BUL FC

INS AND OUTS: BUL TRANSFER ROUND UP

BUL made proper use of the transfer market, revamping and strengthening the squad in the conscious of the new season that is just a day shy.

Several key additions were made to blend the squad that is already rich of quality.

The Eastern Giants closed the transfer window by signing ten new players, and accordingly sanctioned departures equal to the arrivals in number after expiration of their contracts while some left on loan.

New Signings

Despite John Okurut, Emmanuel Kalyowa and Saidi Keni’s brilliance as goalkeepers, Alex Isabirye wasted no time signing Tom Ikara from Police FC to make the area more stiff.

The defence is among the positions where BUL was strong before the transfer window started. Walter Ochora, Douglas Muganga and Richard Ayiko formed a formidable trio that was the bedrock of the team’s backline last campaign. But there was need to heap depth in the area. So the club added Benon Tahomera and Ronald Otti from Kyetume and Mbarara City respectively.

Left full back – Emmanuel Obua was also brought from the Slaughters.

Isabirye had to rely on George Kasonko and Pascal Ngobi only as the chief defensive midfield pivot. At times, the team unbalanced when one suffered a misfortune. This is why the club added Anthony Mayanja from Busoga to provide more options. Teenager Shafik Kwikiriza was signed to boost the attacking side of the midfield.

**Defender Herbert Onyango who went on loan at Busoga United**

Of the ten (10) signings conducted, four were forwards. Proven and tested striker Frank Kalanda was acquired from Police, Denis Mwemezi joined from Vipers SC, while Vicent Ziwa crossed from neighbors – Busoga United. Former BUL junior team striker – Edrine Cavan Mawerere returned to the Eastern Giants as well.

However, Lawrence Kasadha, Godfrey Akol, former captain Fredson Gwoto and Umar Mukobe were part of the legion released, while promising center back Herbert Onyango moved back to Busoga United to continue his development from there on a season long loan.

**Emmanuel Obua one of the new signings**

Ins:

Frank Kalanda (Police), Ronald Otti (Mbarara City), Emmanuel Obua (Kyetume), Tom Ikara (Police), Anthony Mayanja (Busoga), Benon Tahomera (Kyetume) Edrine Cavani Mawerere (JIPRA), Shafiq Kwikiriza (JIPRA), Vicent Ziwa (Busoga), Denis Mwemezi (Vipers SC).

**Ambrose Kirya** ***one of the outgoing***

Outs: Umar Mukobe, Joel Abaliwano, William Isabirye, Dickson Niwamanya, Godfrey Akol, Thomas Kabale, Ambrose Kirya, Fredson Gwotto, Lawrence Kasadha and Herbert Onyango (Busoga United – loan).

BUL FC IN ETHIOPIA FOR A PRE SEASON TOURNAMENT.

The countdown to the new Uganda premier league season is on and it is just twelve (12) days to our opening match against rookies Blacks Power in Lira.

Preparations for the domestic competitions can continue now that our continental engagement was stopped on Saturday.

BUL is to take part in the six team Amhara Bank Tana cup in Ethiopia as part of the preparations for the new season.

Alex Isabirye and his men were pooled in group B alongside local teams – Welkite Kenema and Kolfie Tesla.

The Eastern Giants left Cairo on Monday at 2am for Ethiopia’s third largest city, Bahir Dar.

*BUL FC youngster at Bole international airport*

Bahir Dar National stadium will host our first match against Welkite Kenema on Tuesday before playing Tesla the following day at the same venue.

The tournament kicked off on Sunday September 18.

Amhara Bank Tana Cup

Group B:

BUL FC, Welkite Kenema, Kolfie Tesla.

Matches:

September 20, 2022

BUL FC Vs Welkite Kenema

September 21, 2022

BUL FC Vs Kolfie Tesla.

MATCH REPORT: FUTURE FC 1-0 BUL FC

It is the end of the road at the continent this season after our Confederations cup journey was cut short on Saturday night in Cairo.

Egyptians – Future FC won the game via Jonathan Ngwem’s 76th minute free kick to progress to the next round of the competition courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate, the first leg had ended in a scoreless draw in Wakiso.

BUL played 70 minutes with ten men when Walter Ochora was sent off for a second bookeable offense in the twenth minute, just ten after the first booking but hit the post in the final minutes of the game played at Cairo International Stadium.

*BUL FC starting line up against Future fc*

The first half was surely uneventful as both sides played not to concede before the Eastern Giants were reduced in numbers.

Mohamed Badry Ahmed headed wide for the hosts while Ngwem’s second delivery into the area lacked a sense of a target.

After the break, the game sparked into life with Future largely controlling the proceedings because of their numerical advantage but they were often frustrated by BUL’s resilient defending.

The hosts came close to unlocking the deadlock after the restart, however Samir Saad was denied by the cross bar.

Three minutes off the hour mark, Ahmed Atef squandered another opportunity of theirs when he went behind our backline but carved out his effort before Badry skewed from inside the box.

Future finally got off the mark in the 76th minute when Ngwem curled a free kick from 25 yards by his left boot beyond Saidi Keni in BUL’s goal to spark celebrations at the home side.

The Eastern Giants were just unlucky not to level the game in the dying minutes when Pascal Ngobi beat his marker inside the host’s box.

Hillary Onek’s piece of brilliancy sent the midfielder one on one with the opposite goalkeeper in the second minute of added time but his right footed shot clipped off the post to prematurely end our ambitions at the continent this campaign.

Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Walter Ochora, Pascal Ngobi, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Ibrahim Kazindula, Emmanuel Obua, Hillary Onek, Karim Ndugwa, Simon Peter Oketch.

Substitutes:

Emmanuel Kalyowa (GK), Tom Ikara (GK), Reagan Kalyowa, Martin Aprem, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Benon Tahomera, Frank Kalanda, Jerome Kirya, Anthony Mayanja.

MATCH PREVIEW: BUL VISIT FUTURE

Saturday September 17

CAF Confederations Cup (Preliminary round – second leg)

Future FC Vs BUL FC

Cairo International Stadium

Kick off: 10PM (EAT)

BUL has taken the fight to Cairo, Egypt. It’s all or nothing for the Eastern Giants as we confront Future FC this Saturday in the second leg of the preliminary round of the confederations cup at Cairo International Stadium.

Our minimum target at the continent this season is to reach the group phase of the competition. Therefore, this makes it a must win encounter for BUL because the reverse fixture played a week back in Wakiso ended in a barren draw.

**BUL FC starting line up against Future in Kitende.**

It’s a make or break tie which will either boost or ruin our continental ambitions, thus, it needs to be taken care of since a loss will outrightly blow out our burning hope.

In Future, we meet one of Egypt’s budding football clubs. They were crowned as 2022 league cup champions with a handful of topflight football, and thereafter pulled up a master stroke with a fifth place finish in the league.

Last week’s meeting with us happened to be the only game Ali Maher’s side failed to score a goal in the run of eight matches.

This is going to be a big one!

Team News

All players are in good and healthy conditions, and they are ready to hit the ground.

Thoughts on the game.

The team manager and team captain shared their expectations from tomorrow’s clash after yesternight ‘s last training
Manager Alex Isabirye

“We created chances in the first leg and we didn’t use them well but I think we were just unlucky not score,”

“This time the players know what it means to score and what is needed to progress, and I believe we shall do all we can to qualify to the next round.”

“We have had three night trainings here in Cairo given that we had never played at night before and this has helped us to get used to the floodlights. Therefore, we expect to perform well.”

Captain Saidi Keni

“We learnt a lot from the first meeting. we saw their weaknesses and all the mistakes they made, and we also realized the areas that we need to improve in as a team,”

“Most of those areas have been addressed in training. Scoring has been one of our concerns but much focus has been put on it and we hope our forwards will score lots of goals come the game.”

“And we know what’s on stake and I believe we shall be the better team on Saturday.”

Match officials

Tunisian referee Mahrez Melki has been appointed by CAF to officiate this crunch tie. He will be assisted by compatriots Yamen Malloulchi and Wael Hannachi as the first and second assistant referees respectively.

Amir Loucif, also from Tunusia, will complement them as the fourth official while Mamoun Bushara Nasir from Sudan will be the match commissioner.

Players available in Egypt

Emmanuel Kalyowa (GK), Saidi Keni (G.K),Tom Ikara (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Pascal Ngobi, Hillary Onek, Emmanuel Obua, Benon Tahomera, Karim Ndugwa, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Ibrahim Kazindula, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Reagan Kalyowa, Martin Aprem, Jerome Kirya, Frank Kalanda, Simon Peter Oketch, Anthony Mayanja.

BUL AIMING FOR THE GOOD

September 10th witnessed the Eastern Giants wag their tails in a continental competition for the first time in our fifteen years spell.

This was the ultimate prize for winning the Uganda cup, which as well, was the first silverware for the club.

Sound of the final whistle at St. Mary’s stadium – Kitende came when the contest between BUL and Future FC was still even, meaning the task has to be accomplished from Egypt, with the second leg slated for this Saturday at Cairo International stadium.

**Leader of delegation Rogers Mulindwa**

Alex Isabirye’s travelling party, consisting of twenty players is at this time already in the Egyptian capital after reaching there in the wee hours of Wednesday, three days to the match and ready to go for the kill.

Part of the BUL team on mission is the club chairman – Ronald Barente. The chairman has been behind the backing of the Eastern Giants and so instrumental in the success of the team since he came, and to this cause , he sent an advanced team to the Arab country before the squad arrived there.

“We moved so early to get better preparations because the journey from Uganda to Egypt is too long and if we didn’t give it enough time, we would suffer from fatigue. This we think will allow players to get enough rest so that Saturday comes when they’re in a better condition,” the chairman said of the timely arrival.

Of course that comes with huge costs but the supremo opened up; this was keenly planned for, not just a wonder.

“This match did not get us by surprise. BUL runs a budget and we planned for all this when budgeting for the club.”

The Eastern Giants are riding on the ambition of reaching the group stage of the confederations cup this campaign and this has overwhelmingly inspired the club’s big investments. However, the club is ready for whatever is meant to be.

“There are profits and losses in business but we invest expecting to gain, for this time qualifying to the group stage is the target but if it fails, it will be God’s will. But we greatly believe the team will progress to the next level, and by God’s grace, we shall win the game. Everyone in Uganda should pray for us, we shall get the victory together,” Mr. Barente said.

Another big wig in Egypt and ready to witness history being made is Rogers Mulindwa, the Fufa executive committee member and our leader of delegation.

Mr. Mulindwa is convinced the Eastern Giants can deliver the goods.

“BUL promises a bright future given this is their first time of involvement in a CAF competition. The players are calm and organized, and exhibiting a strong working relationship with the technical team and the administrators,” he said.

“Most players out there have sheer arrogance but haven’t seen that in BUL players. This shows they know what they want and they follow instructions in place.”

“I therefore call upon all football fans regardless of the club you support domestically – whether you support SC Villa, Express, KCCA, Vipers SC, URA, Busoga United or Gaddafi, our new team now is BUL FC because they’re the ones hoisting the Uganda flag in CAF confederations cup.”

“Let us rally behind the Eastern Giants and render the team all sorts of support because they’re not representing themselves but representing all of us as a country. In Cairo, people are not seeing them as BUL but as Uganda.”

Saturday’s return match is to be played at 10PM (EAT), and the winner on aggregate will meet the overall winner between Buffles du Borgou and Kallon FC.

TUNISIAN REFEREES TO OVERSEE FUTURE-BUL MATCH.

The confederation of African football has assigned Tunisian referees to handle our return leg with Future fc. The match will be played on saturday at Cairo international stadium.

The game will be handled by Mahrez Melki as the man in the center, and will be assisted by Yamen Malloulchi and Wael Hannachi as the first and second assistant referees respectively.

Amir Loucif also from Tunusia will be the fourth official while Mamoun Bushara Nasir will the match commissioner from Sudan.

The Eastern Giants still believe that we can overcome the Egyptians at their own park and keen on sealing a qualification spot to the next round. Both teams are tied on 0-0 aggregate after last week’s draw at st mary’s stadium in Kampala.

The winner after the saturday night clash will progress to round one of CAF Confederation cup and will meet the overall winner between Buffles du Borgou and Kallon fc.

MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 0-0 FUTURE FC

BUL football club gave real account of themselves on their first ever appearance in a CAF competition.

With both sides making their debut in the CAF confederations cup, the Eastern Giants held firm to record a 0-0 draw against Egyptians Future FC on a historic evening at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende.

**BUL FC starting line up against Future**

Ibrahim Kazindula came closest for BUL with several efforts from free kicks, Simon Peter Oketch saw his attempt fly wild, as Karim Ndugwa’s header was gloved out for a corner while goalkeeper Saidi Keni had to be alert to deny Ahmed Atef Mohamed in the first half.

Alex Isabirye’s side knew a clean sheet and a positive result altogether would be a good start on this new journey and they kept their defensive discipline throughout.

They might even have won it, had Ndugwa connected well with Hillary Onek’s cross at the hour mark before he saw his effort inside the box superbly saved by away goalkeeper – Mahmoud Abdelrehim Ahmed in the additional minutes after the normal play time.

However, the visitors dominated the possession, and it was Atef who had the first effort on goal but the forward headed straight at Keni.

Atef again gave the Eastern Giants a worry on 22 minutes when his fiercely struck shot whistled over bar.

BUL’s first attempt came seventeen minutes into the game when Oketch was found in the box but his overhead kick was deflected for a corner.

They began the second period with more purpose after the introduction of teenager Reagan Kalyowa, but three minutes after the interval, Atef came close to giving Future FC the goal they craved for after he was set clean on goal by Ahmed Elsayed Reffat but Keni made a well timed race off his line in a one on one situation to keep the status quo.

Future simply had to keep on pressing and that opened spaces for BUL going forward, with Ibrahim Mugulusi, Martin Aprem and Kalyowa having a go at goal although their efforts did not yield.

The threat never went away for the visitors with the scores deadlocked, Kalyowa was fouled close to the area and Samir Saad put up a block when Kazindula struck from 25 yards

A huge chance for BUL to seal the game came and went in the extra four minutes when Ndugwa rose highest from Ayiko’s delivery, but Mahmoud Abdelrehim showed incredible reflexes to repel his header.

The two sides will convene again the next weekend (Saturday September 17) in Cairo, Egypt for the second leg of the preliminary round of the confederations cup.

Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Emmanuel Obua (Reagan Kalyowa 46′), Walter Ochora, Ibrahim Kazindula, Ibrahim Mugulusi (Frank Kalanda 68′), Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Pascal Ngobi, Karim Ndugwa, Hillary Onek (Martin Aprem 63′), Simon Peter Oketch (Anthony Mayanja 80′)

Unused ubstitutes:
Emmanuel Kalyowa,Jerome Kirya,Tom Ikara,Ibrahim Nsimbe, Benon Tahomera.

CAF CC MATCH PREVIEW: BUL VS FUTURE FC.

Saturday September 10

CAF Confederations Cup (Preliminary round – first leg)

BUL FC Vs Future FC

St. Mary’s stadium

Kick off: 4PM

BUL’s Uganda cup success in early June sure felt good, but it was only the spring board of this weekend’s action. The main course is set to start this Saturday.

The Eastern Giants get their 2022-23 CAF confederations cup campaign underway in a historic contest with Egyptian side – Future at St. Mary’s stadium, both sides are debuting in this competition.

Outstanding is the least that can be said of our last season’s performance, as for the first time in our history, the team finished fourth (in the league) and further decorated the season with a Uganda cup trophy.

That is all BUL needed to dine at the continental table.

Though the results were respectable , the squad was further strengthened with key additions to match the challenge at the continent.

And their impact has already been realized. The Eastern Giants have picked up two wins from our latest four build up matches, with six goals to the good.

Therefore, there is a reason to think the team will continue to blossom and there is a reason to dream big going forward.

Future’s qualification for this competition was quite different.

The Egypt Football Federation decided to choose their CAF representatives basing on the first half of the season results because the Egyptian premier league would finish by the end of August, one month after the deadline that was set by CAF for each country to submit the names of the competing teams.

Future were fourth by the time the decision was made and that is how they came to be here despite finishing outside the usual qualification places by the end of their domestic league.

Earned their first-ever promotion to the top flight in 2021, but took Egypt’s elite football by storm, blowing away Ghazl El-Mahalla by a 5-0 scoreline to win the 2022 league cup before finishing fifth in the just concluded league.

But it’s close to three full months since the Eastern Giants last played in a competitive game with the Uganda premier league scheduled to kick off later this month.

Alex Isabirye’s side is however alert and armed, and they understand the challenge before them with Ali Maher’s men seemingly motivated to move their domestic fine showings into this clash.

Only one loss can be spotted in their last seven outings, and they have scored in each of them.

Now this promises a mouthwatering action.

Ahead of the match, assistant coach – Richard Kasule Bakabulindi and team captain Saidi Keni spoke to bulfc.co.ug and voiced their opinions about the contest.

“This is the unique opportunity we got after last season’s hard work,” coach Kasule said.

“We take this as a special time that we should utilize to show the world that we are equally doing something special in Ugandan football, and we need to show that we have also put a concrete brick on the growth of football in the country.”

“We expect to put forward something unique on the pitch tomorrow as we aim at progressing to the next level.”

“The players are ready, the technical team is very ready as well, and prepared to offer all we can to ensure BUL moves a step ahead.”

“Our fans, wherever they are, should flock to Kitende on Saturday and get all the happiness they wish for. This is something unique and it rarely happens. They should come and enjoy.”

Saidi Keni was full of confidence and dubbed the match ‘the game of our lives.’

“It being our first time to play at the continent, we feel so good because it’s a dream come true for every player here.”

“This is a game of our lives, and so much may change after it.“

“We started training early enough and we believe we have got enough preparations. Everyone is in right shape and ready for the challenge.”

“Winning this game is what we can boldly promise our fans come the day.“

Team News

Alex Isabirye has a fully fit squad at his disposal, and everyone is ready to play.

Ticket information

V.I.P – 50,000/=
ORD. – 10,000/=

Available at the gate on match day.

GOFERE SPORTSWEAR COMPANY TO MANUFACTURE AND SUPPLY BUL FC KITS FOR THE NEXT TWO SEASONS.

**BUL FC chairman Ronald Barente with CEO of Gofere Hassan**

We are pleased to announce a new partner Gofere Sportswear company as our new kits sponsor for the next two seasons.

Gofere will manufacture and supply BUL Football Club with training, playing and travel kits for both players and technical team.

The club’s partnership with Gofere is effective immediately and will run until 2024.

Club Chairman Ronald Barente was happy and welcomed on board the new partners.

**Chairman Ronald Barente signing the contract on behalf of BULFC.**

” Today we had a very good sponsorship signing with Gofere Sports company based in Addis Ababa- Ethiopia, Gofere is a young and growing company based on Pan-Africanism- the spirit of Africa, I chose to work with them, because they have the same attributes as BUL FC. We want to grow together, work together improve each other’s brand as we go forward, we have started with a two year partnership. And hopefully in the future we shall sign more years continue work together, grow together. The quality of the kits is unquestionable if you compare with other kits across China and Dubai we have been getting and we hope we will have a very good representation of Gofere in Uganda and East Africa and on the continent when we play in the CAF Confederation cup.” Barente concluded

Mr Hassan the founder and co-owner of Gofere was delighted with the deal partnering with another growing brand speaking to this website.

“ Today is a special day we signed a historical deal with BUL FC. We are about five years old, Gofere was started by two young guys and it is an African brand dedicated not only to change the sports market in Africa but also to contribute to all sports fields, sports problems and giving solutions.”

” This is special because BUL FC was one of our targets to showcase our products in East African markets. After doing some research we found out that BUL was a club worth working with and that’s why we decided to sponsor them. For the future of BUL FC and Gofere we are very hopeful to continue this deal with BUL and also work togather surply minimal kits, we believe we can build strong co-brand that represent this big and energetic football club.” Mr Hassan stated.

**Chairman Barente posing with the CEO of Gofere Hassan.**

Gofere is an international sportswear company located in Adis Ababa Ethiopia and the leading manufacturer of sports wear for both professional and amateur clubs with in Ethiopia and East Africa at large.

MAWERERE RETURN TO BUL

BUL football club can confirm the signing of forward Edrine Mawerere on a three year deal.

**Manager Alex with Edrine Cavani Mawerere**

The 19 year old is returning to the Eastern Giants after five years since he left our junior team in 2017.

“It’s exciting to join the senior team, I am overjoyed. It has not been easy though but this has been possible through commitment and hard work,” he said.

“Owen Mukisa who was our captain in the junior team marched to the senior ranks and his progress encouraged me to work even more harder.“

“I now see this as a chance to further my career, win trophies, make history here and become a professional player as well.“

BUL’s team manager Alex Isabirye said,

“He is a young player who I believe will be one of the best players in Uganda in a few years to come because he has a lot of potential.“

“Now he joins several young players at the senior side, with all indicators showing he will play well but I will not demand a lot from him because he is not yet there.”

“We simply need him to continue learning and build his career just like the rest. This serves our ambition of building a strong team, and our philosophy and strategy of promoting from with in.”

Mawerere is one of the exciting prospects in Uganda’s football with unbeatable skills, game intelligence as well as good movement on and off the ball.

He started his youth career with Amerigo soccer academy before catching the eye of BUL junior team and JIPRA SS for which he features in the secondary schools competitions. Mawerere become 8th signing for the Eastern Giants this season.