Kasule, Kakooza, Oketch on target as Ugandan stars shine abroad

Kasule celebrating his goal for New York Red Bull II:

Photo by New York Red Bulls II media.

It was a goal-laced weekend for several Ugandan players plying their trade across the globe, with Ibrahim Kasule, Derrick Kakooza, and Simon Peter Oketch leading the way with standout performances in the USA, Albania and Ethiopia respectively.

In the USA, Ibrahim Kasule stole the show for New York Red Bulls II. Introduced in the 34th minute alongside fellow Ugandan Steven Sserwadda, Kasule quickly made his mark, scoring a goal and delivering an assist in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire II.

Edward Kizza also found the net in the American second tier, scoring in Indy Eleven’s 2-2 draw with North Carolina, while Jayden Onen put in a full shift as his FC Naples won 3-0 over Texoma. Shadia Nankya remained on the bench as Dallas Trinity triumphed 3-0 over Lexington.

In Eastern Europe, Derrick Kakooza was in sensational form for KF Terbuni in Albania, scoring a goal and assisting another in their 2-1 win over KF Murlani. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, Simon Peter Oketch netted for CBE in a 2-1 victory over Sidama Bunna.

Brian Aheebwa also played 60 minutes as his Arba Menche side beat Ethio Electric 2-0.

In the Czech Republic, Aziz Kayondo put up a stellar performance for Liberec, playing the full 90 minutes and being named man of the match in their 2-0 win over FK Dynamo. Isaac Muleme featured for 77 minutes as his Viktoria Zizkov lost 1-0 to Vlasim.

In the British Isles, Jordan Obita starred for Hibernian in Scotland, providing an assist in their impressive 2-0 win over Rangers. In England, Toby Sibbick had a short cameo for Wigan in a goalless draw with Leyton Orient, Nathan Asimwe played 46 minutes and was booked in Walsall’s 3-2 defeat to Port Vale, while Giosue Bellagambi was unused as Barnet lost 2-1 to Braintree.

Elsewhere in Europe, Moses Opondo played a full match in Denmark, helping Fredericia beat Odense 1-0. In Sweden, John Paul Dembe featured for 21 minutes in Hacken’s 2-0 loss to Oster, and Calvin Kabuye played 10 minutes in Mjallby’s 1-1 draw with GAIS.

In Italy, Elio Capradossi featured for 90 minutes and received a yellow card as Cittadella drew goalless with Carrarese.

In Israel, Timothy Awany completed 90 minutes as Ashdod defeated Ironi Tiberias in Israel, while in Serbia, Pius Obuya remained on the bench as Radnicki S Mitrovica edged Indjija 1-0.

In the African leagues, Zambia saw Keziron Kizito score and claim the man of the match award in Kansanshi Dynamo’s 2-0 ABSA Cup win over Green Buffaloes. Ronald Sempala was on the bench as Kabwe Warriors beat Makeni Allstars 2-0.

In Kenya, George Kaddu, Denis Iguma and Deogratious Ojok all featured in Tusker’s 1-1 draw with Mara Sugar, while James Ssetuba remained unused in Leopards' 2-1 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz.

Tanzania saw Peter Lwasa on the bench as Kagera Sugar fell 1-0 to Tanzania Prisons.

In North Macedonia, Shafik Kagimu completed 90 minutes and got booked in Brera Strumica’s 2-0 loss to Vardar. In Rwanda, there was significant Ugandan involvement: Denis Omedi came off the bench, and Hakim Kiwanuka was unused as APR edged Bugesera 1-0. Emma Okwi helped AS Kigali beat Muhazi United 1-0, while Denis Kaweesa and Robert Mukongotya featured for Etincelles in their 2-0 loss to Kiyovu. Ashraf Mandela started for Police FC in a goalless draw with Mukura Victory, which had Nicholas Sebwato in goal.

Shafik Bakaki played as Musanze beat Rutsiro. In the Indian Women’s League, Fazila Ikwaput featured for Gokulam Kerala in a 2-0 loss to Kickstart, which had Joanita Ainembabazi in action.

Hadijah Nandago and Aminah Nababi scored in Sethu FC’s 2-0 win over Nita FA, while Resty Nanziri featured in East Bengal’s 1-1 draw with Sreebhumi.

Other mentions include Kayondo Mahadi on the bench for CSM Slatina in Romania’s 3-0 win over Campulung, Kenneth Semakula on the bench for Club Africain’s 1-0 win in Tunisia and Geoffrey Baba Kizito featuring for Binh Duong in their 4-0 defeat to Gia Lai in Vietnam.

In France, Travis Mutyaba came off the bench in the 72nd minute as Bordeaux beat Saint-Pryve 2-1.