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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.

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.

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.

ALEX ISABIRYE: CONFEDERATIONS CUP ISN’T FOR THE WEAK

BUL FC face Egyptians Future FC in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup.

The Eastern Giants discovered their opponents in the draw that was conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday evening.

**BUL FC players and staff celebrating after winning Uganda cup.**

BUL to host the first leg due September 09 -11 before making the trip to Cairo for the second leg scheduled for September 16-18.

Future FC, formerly known as Coca Cola, currently sit fourth in the Egyptian topflight league despite being newbies, and they won the EFA league cup earlier this year.

” After winning Uganda cup, We knew we would play some of the strongest teams at the continent,” Manager Alex Isabirye said after the draw.

“Future FC is a strong team and It’s quite unfortunate we are still in preseason, and their league is running.”

“Their activeness gives them an edge given that it’s a long while now since BUL last played any competitive game.”

To day marks two months exactly from the time the Eastern Giants last featured in a sweat breaking match, and just twenty eight days to the clash with the Egyptians.

Isabirye is however keen to utilize every second of the remaining period to switch BUL to a competitive mode.

“There is no weak team in confederations cup, and football is football. We are preparing a strong team that will get good results, and trying as much as possible to put ourselves in the best conditions to win the tie.”

Winner of this contest after the two legs will meet the aggregate winner between Buffles du Borgou of Benin and Kallon FC of Sierra Leone in October.

Alex Isabirye’s men, making their debut at the continent just like the Egyptian side, reached this competition after beating Vipers SC 3-1 in the final to win Uganda cup that comes with a privilege to take part in Africa’s second best club competition.

WINGER DENIS MWEMEZI JOINS BUL FC .

We can officially confirm Forward Dennis Mwemezi has joined the club on a two year deal from Vipers sports club.

**Manager Alex poses with winger Denis Mwemezi**

The contract will keep the former Venom at BUL Football Club till 2024.

The speedy winger officially becomes the 7th signing in this transfer window.

Manager Alex Isabirye is delighted bringing in a young star willing to learn more.

“ Mwemezi is a young player nurtured by one of the best clubs in the country, he gives in 100%, his ready to learn and i think he will help the club achieve it’s objectives.” Isabirye stated

After putting pen to paper Mwemezi said ” Am super excited to join one of the best and big clubs in the country, it’s the club that I think will help me grow and advance in my footballing career

“My target is to play and help the team achieve more success, trophies and at least take the club into CAF confederation cup group stages.”

The speedy winger is a product of Buganda Masaza tournament where he emerged as the top scorer in 2019 while featuring for Sese Ssaza.

The trickery winger signed for Vipers SC after an impressive season with Ssese and has spent 3 seasons, registered 8 goals and assisted 10 times for the venoms.

Mwemezi become our 7th signing and joins experienced striker Frank Kalanda, defender Ronald Otti Ocitti, Emmanuel Obua, goalkeeper Tom Ikara, forward Athony Mayanja and defender Benon Tahomera.

Welcome to the Eastern Giants Denis Mwemezi

SAIDI KENI PROLONGS STAY AT BUL

Glove man – Saidi Keni to stay put at the Eastern Giants up to 2025 at the minimum after signing a two year contract extension with the club.

His current deal was due to expire in June next year.

“BUL have showed love and trust in me since I joined the club. This good gesture surely shows they appreciate my services,” Keni said.

“The future of both parties is now secured.”

Keni’s bright start at the Eastern Giants was halted by a niggling knee injury that compelled him to sit out for much of the second round of the past term but he is currently back in training with the rest of the squad preparing for next season.

“I believe we shall do wonders domestically and at the content.”

“We are preparing well and we expect to have a better season.”

As one of the team skippers, his leadership in the past campaign arguably oiled BUL to great performances with the club finishing fourth in the league for the first time in our history, as well as winning the Uganda cup crown.

The goalkeeper put on board seven clean sheets in 19 matches across all competitions last season.

EASTERN GIANTS BOOST DEFENSE WITH TAHOMERA SIGNING

BUL football club have signed Benon Tahomera from Kyetume.

The center back has signed a contract that runs until June 2024.

After putting the pen on his contract, he said,

“I feel BUL is the right club I should play for. It’s one of the biggest in the country and always competitive on all fronts.“

“Playing for it is an honor for me. Now I want to win the league, defend the Uganda cup as well as put up a good performance in the confederations cup.”

Tahomera guided MYDA FC to the Eastern regional play offs in 2018, scoring eight goals for the Malaba side before seeking pastures new at Kyetume the following season.

He played there for two seasons, leading the slaughters to the topflight league in 2019, with him scoring in their 4-1 demolition of Kansai Plascon in the promotional play off final at Lugogo.

Manager Alex Isabirye believes the new defender will offer the right balance to our defense.

“Tahomera can defend as well as score goals. He still has a lot to learn but he is a young player who can play football and has a lot of potential.”

“Last season we faced difficulties in defending and conceded a lot because we did not have the luxury to rotate, and that is why we are bringing in players like him who can defend very well.”

“Our team is now having a right mix of young and experienced players, and if we blend them together well, we shall get what we want.“

Tahomera is known for his superior aerial abilities, calmness on the ball and neat passing, and without doubt, he will improve our defense.

BUL FC SIGNS MAYANJA ANTHONY

Mayanja Anthony is the fifth player to join BUL football club in this transfer window.

**Anthony Mayanja donning on BUL FC jersey**

The stylish and strong midfielder arrives from Busoga United and has signed a two year renewable contract with the Eastern Giants.

“I am excited to join the winning team,” he said.

“BUL won the Uganda cup last season and I come to provide more efforts so that we can win more trophies in the coming seasons.”

“I am ready for the task at hand especially in the CAF confederation cup, even if the competition is not easy, we are going there to compete, not to participate.”

Mayanja is a big character with attributes of a natural leader.

And with all the vast experience he possess, he will surely improve our midfield.

Welcome to the Eastern Giants Ma Ya nJA.