Jude Semugabi and Aziz Kayondo scored in the 2-0 Uganda Cranes win against visitors Congo Brazaville in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers group K game played on Monday at Mandela National Stadium Namboole.
Semugabi came on as a substitute when he replaced Mohammed Shaban who seemed to have sustained a knock before the half time break, and scored a remarkable goal on his senior national team debut in the 86th minute.
The Workholic- Kitara FC forward, made no mistake and put the icing on the cake when he was well set up by another substitute Allan Okello with a few to the end of the 90 minutes.
Left back Aziz Kayondo scored the hosts first goal in the 21st minute when his long range effort from the left flank beat goalkeeper Pavelh Ndizla.
Decorated Ugandan Coach Allan Kabonge when contacted by this site, he shared words of praise to the Cranes coach and as well congratulated his brother Jude.
” Am happy that something I started years ago is yielding results today, I picked our youngest brother Jude ‘Nga asima bikatta’ literally meaning from the garden and brought him to start kicking the ball in my academy because I heard retired with an injury and I wished to see some one from continue taking on football. He wanted so much to be goal keeper at the start of his career but I transformed him to a forward.” He told Sports-256.
” I made sure since when he started at the academy, he trains alot and some times he used to leave the training ground crying. I have always followed up his progress. Since his time at the academy he has always been a clinical finisher, remember him in Masaza, at Mbarara city and now at Kitara..! I just want to give credit to coach Put for easily identifying his potential and giving my little brother chance in merit and he will score more goals for this country given more playing time.” He added.
Who is the new boy Jude Semugabi?
Semugabi is born in Wabigalo Mityana to Mr Kasujju Ronald Kasasa and Agnes Nalweyiso, and he hails from a rich footballing background, his father and elders, all played the game and he is the youngest and they share the same dad and mum with coach Allan Kabonge.
He started playing football at the age of nine after his brother now Head coach of FUFA big league side Gadafi FC /UPPC FC Kabonge picked him from their home in Mityana Wabigalo and brought him to his academy (Kabonge foundation/Lake Victoria academy at Katabi Entebbe.
Jude’s football Journey seemed to be shuttered when his elder brother Kabonge after saving Express FC from Victors,had to leave the country to sign for a Rwandese club and the Cranes star now had to return to the village.
Then later he joined Fimbo Soccer Academy (then owned by coach Duncan) thag helped him get a primary scholarship then
Semugabi’s other brothers include Junior Kasujju (Former goalkeeper), Jurgen Mushabe (Who is his manager/ agent), was a right back.
Jude, was earlier summoned to the Cranes but he got injured and Kabonge and their elder brother Jurgen had to cater for his medication to return to active football.
From academy football, Jude joined Kiboga progressive SS and also played for Kiboga Young FC under coach Felix Ssekabuza before signing for Ssingo in Masaza Cup.
After an impressive season in Masaza emerging top scorer with 8 goals in 2018, Ronnie Santos football agency sold him to Mbarara City FC.
Semugabi joined Mbarara City at the beginning of the 2018/2019 season from FUFA Big League side Kiboga Young Football Club. He was instrumental in Kiboga’s promotion to the second division scoring 20 goals in the process.
He extended his stay at the Ankole Lions for more two years then later joined Kitara FC.
Kabonge represented Uganda at U-12, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels and was summoned to the senior team when he was playing professional in Rwanda but had got an injury
Third placed South Africa with a single point, will visit bottom placed- pointless South Sudanese in the other group K game to be played on Tuesday.
For starters, Dennis Omedi and Rogers Mato scored for the Uganda Cranes in a 2-2 draw away to South Africa.
Uganda now lead the log with 4 points after securing a draw away from South Africa and a home win against Congo, and the Congolese are second placed with 3 points having won their first game against South Sudan
Uganda Cranes squad that faced Congo
Isma Watenga, Kenneth Ssemakula, Abdul Aziz Kayondo, Bevis Mugabi, Elio Caprodossi (Halid Lwaliwa 74′), Ronald Ssekiganda, Khalid Aucho ( Joel Serunjogi 88′) , Rogers Mato, Muhammad Shaban( Jude Semugabi 43′), Travis Mutyaba (Allan Okello 74′), Dennis Omedi (Steven Mukwala 84′)
Un used substitutes
Nafian Alionzi, Charles Lukwago, Isaac Muleme, Joseph Ochaya, Elvis Bwomono, Joachiam Ojera
