Holding a first-leg advantage, Buffaloes produced another composed display to overcome a determined Impis side and secure their first Premiership final appearance since 2013.

The hosts made the perfect start when fullback Yasin Waswa crossed for the opening try before converting to give Buffaloes an early lead. Impis responded strongly after turning down an earlier penalty opportunity, with scrum-half Sentongo Robert finishing off a line-out maul close to the posts. Darren Aine added the conversion to level the scores.

Buffaloes regained control before the break through a moment of brilliance from Watmon Fat Moses. The Uganda Sevens international sliced through the Impis defence before producing an offload that sent Hector Twinomugisha over for the try. Waswa converted to hand the hosts a valuable lead heading into half-time.

Makerere Impis refused to go away and reduced the deficit early in the second half when Lincoln Mashate crossed out wide after a series of Buffaloes penalties gave the visitors attacking territory. However, Aine’s conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving Impis chasing the game.

That proved to be as close as the students would come. Buffaloes responded with authority, forcing a turnover deep inside the Impis 22 after a well-executed tactical kick. Abdullah Meddie finished off the move and the successful conversion stretched the lead further.

The final blow arrived in the closing stages. Humphrey Ndahura released Daniels Otim inside the Buffaloes half and the winger showed his pace to sprint clear and score. The conversion sealed a 28-12 victory and confirmed Buffaloes’ passage to the final.

Watmon Fat Moses was named Man of the Match after an influential performance that helped drive Buffaloes to victory. The return of Moses, Aaron Tukei and Otim from Uganda’s Sevens setup also provided a major boost for the side as they navigated the semi-final challenge.

For Impis, the defeat ended a remarkable campaign. After suffering relegation in 2024, the students fought their way back through the Championship playoffs and produced a memorable quarter-final comeback against KCB KOBs before eventually falling short against Buffaloes.

Having safely negotiated the two-legged semi-final, Buffaloes now stand just one win away from lifting the Uganda Rugby Premiership title. They will face the winner of the other semi-final between Stanbic Black Pirates and Platinum Credit Heathens in the championship decider.

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Four years ago, Qatar made history as World Cup debutants on home soil, but their campaign ended in disappointment as they became the first host nation to lose all three group matches.

Now under the guidance of manager Julen Lopetegui, the Asian champions will be hoping for a far stronger showing, although recent form suggests they face a major challenge against a Swiss team that has reached the knockout stages in each of the last three editions.

Qatar enter the tournament in worrying form after extending their winless run to six matches with a goalless draw against El Salvador in their final warm-up fixture.

That sequence has produced just two goals, highlighting their struggles in front of goal ahead of their second World Cup appearance.

The Maroons have also found European opposition difficult to overcome, winning only two of their last 15 encounters against teams from the continent, while failing to record a victory in their last 11 full internationals played outside Qatar.

However, Lopetegui will take encouragement from Qatar’s ability to threaten from set-pieces.

During qualifying, 15 of their 37 goals came from dead-ball situations, accounting for 41 percent of their total, while their qualifying matches averaged 3.61 goals per game, the highest among teams that played at least 10 matches in Asian qualifying.

Switzerland, meanwhile, arrive with confidence and consistency on their side.

The Swiss extended their impressive run to just one defeat in their last 14 matches after a 1-1 draw with Australia earlier this month, recording eight wins and five draws during that period.

Murat Yakin’s side were one of only two European nations to complete qualifying without ever falling behind, winning four and drawing two of their six matches.

As the highest-ranked team in Group B, Switzerland will be aiming to carry that stability into the finals.

History is also on their side, because the Red Crosses have not lost their opening World Cup match since 1966, recording three wins and three draws since then, while they have not been beaten by a nation currently ranked below Qatar since November 2022.

The two nations have met only once before, with Qatar claiming a surprise 1-0 friendly victory over Switzerland in 2018. Akram Afif, one of Qatar’s biggest attacking threats, scored the decisive goal in that encounter.

Qatar will look towards Afif for inspiration. The Asian Footballer of the Year in 2024 has been a key figure for his country and has scored 11 of his last 14 international goals in victories, underlining his importance when Qatar find their rhythm.

For Switzerland, Breel Embolo, eho joined the team late after being granted belated approval to travel to the US, remains a major attacking weapon on the biggest stage.

The forward has scored five goals at major tournaments for his country, with four of those either opening or closing the scoring in matches.

Qatar have no reported fresh injury concerns ahead of their opener and are expected to select from a full squad.

Switzerland could manage the workload of Noah Okafor, who has only recently returned from a calf problem and may not be ready to complete the full 90 minutes.

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Kato was speaking after MTN Uganda and Entebbe Club unveiled the MTN Pro-Tee Series, a new professional golf circuit designed to strengthen Uganda’s competitive golf ecosystem and create more opportunities for elite golfers.

According to Kato, professional golf in Uganda has made significant progress in recent years, with membership of the Uganda Professional Golfers Association growing from 29 professionals in 2022 to 62 today. However, he noted that the absence of a structured competition calendar has remained a major challenge.

“The MTN Pro-Tee Series is a game-changer for professional golf in Uganda,” Kato said.

“As an association, we have worked hard to grow the professional game, increasing our membership from 29 professionals in 2022 to 62 today. What has been missing is a structured platform that gives players consistent opportunities to compete, earn and develop.”

He said the new series would help elevate standards by introducing an international-standard tournament format, an Order of Merit ranking system and meaningful prize money that will reward consistent performances throughout the season.

“Through the MTN Pro-Tee Series, MTN Uganda is helping to raise the standard of professional golf by introducing an international-standard competition format, an Order of Merit and meaningful prize purses that motivate players to perform throughout the season,” Kato added.

“This partnership gives our professionals something to work towards and creates a stronger pathway for Ugandan golfers to compete successfully on bigger stages.”

The MTN Pro-Tee Series will feature 40 professional golfers competing over 72 holes, with points accumulated across multiple events during the season. Players will battle for the MTN Pro-Tee Order of Merit title, creating a season-long race among the country’s leading professionals.

The initiative marks MTN Uganda’s expansion from supporting amateur and corporate golf to investing directly in the professional game. The company has spent the past three years backing golf activities at Entebbe Club through the MTN Monthly Tee and MTN Grand Tee of Tees competitions.

Organisers say the new series is intended to provide a sustainable pathway for professional golfers while raising the overall standard of competition in Uganda.

The inaugural tournament is expected to launch at Entebbe Club, where Uganda’s top professionals will begin their quest to become the first MTN Pro-Tee champion.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered a performance full of attacking quality and confidence, extending their impressive Group Stage record to nine wins in their last 10 matches, while Paraguay endured a difficult return to football’s biggest stage after a 16-year absence.

The Stars and Stripes wasted little time making their intentions clear, taking the lead inside eight minutes through a moment of misfortune for Paraguay.

Christian Pulisic was at the heart of the move, bursting into the box before his cut-back found Weston McKennie, whose touch ultimately saw Damián Bobadilla turn the ball into his own net.

The early goal settled the hosts, with Pulisic and McKennie continuing to cause problems for a Paraguay defence that struggled to contain the Americans’ movement and intensity.

Los Guaranies, meanwhile, offered little in response, with a deflected Julio Enciso effort proving their best opportunity of the opening exchanges.

The USA thought they had doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Folarin Balogun found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside against Pulisic during the build-up.

However, the Monaco forward would not be denied for long.

Just three minutes later, Pulisic once again provided the inspiration, chasing down a loose ball before delivering a perfect pull-back for Balogun to calmly finish and make it 2-0.

The Americans continued to dominate and came close to adding a third when Chris Richards headed narrowly wide from a corner, before goalkeeper Orlando Gill denied Malik Tillman from close range.

Paraguay’s resistance finally collapsed in first-half stoppage time when Balogun produced a moment of individual brilliance.

Running onto Tillman’s through ball, the striker cut inside two defenders before curling a stunning effort into the top corner, giving the USA a three-goal lead at the interval, the first time they had ever held such an advantage at half-time in a World Cup match.

With Paraguay needing a dramatic response after the break, the 2010 quarter-finalists struggled to find a way back into the contest.

Their attacking efforts were repeatedly frustrated, with Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez both seeing attempts blocked by their own teammates.

The USA remained in control, although Paraguay refused to surrender.

After Enciso sparked a promising move, Almirón found Maurício, who had only just entered the match at half-time, and the substitute calmly slotted past Matt Freese to score his first senior international goal and give Paraguay a brief lifeline.

The visitors pushed for another breakthrough, but the USA restored their dominance late on. Despite Gill making important saves to deny Tillman and substitute Timothy Weah, the hosts sealed a historic victory deep into stoppage time with the last kick of the game.

A magnificent 26-pass team move ended with Giovanni Reyna using the outside of his foot to guide the ball beyond Gill, completing a memorable night for American football.

The victory marked the first time the USA had scored four goals in a World Cup match and their biggest-ever win in the tournament, surpassing their previous 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the 1930 World Cup, the first meeting between the two nations.

For Paraguay, the defeat extended their difficult record against the United States, with Gustavo Alfaro’s side suffering a fourth consecutive head-to-head loss.

The USA will look to build on their impressive start when they face Australia next Friday at 10 pm, while Paraguay will aim to recover when they meet Turkey on Saturday at 6 am.

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The tournament, scheduled from June 19 to July 17, 2027, will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region. Tanzanian authorities see the competition as a major opportunity to boost tourism, attract investment and create long-term economic benefits.

Leading the initiative is the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), which is redesigning tourism experiences around host cities with the aim of converting football supporters into safari tourists.

TANAPA Conservation Commissioner CPA (T) Mussa Nasoro Kuji said preparations are already underway to accommodate the anticipated increase in international visitors.

“Our teams are enhancing visitor services, establishing official watch zones and managing visitor capacity to accommodate the expected increase in international sports tourism,” Kuji told Daily News.

The strategy centres heavily on Lake Manyara National Park, located about 126 kilometres southwest of Arusha, one of Tanzania’s AFCON host cities. Park officials believe its proximity to Arusha makes it an attractive destination for supporters seeking activities beyond match days.

To appeal to younger and more adventurous travellers, TANAPA is investing in new attractions that go beyond traditional wildlife viewing. Assistant Conservation Commissioner and Lake Manyara National Park Commanding Officer Dr Yustina Kiwango revealed that five new adventure tourism products are nearing completion.

These include a zip line, giant swing, canoeing activities, an elevated canopy walk and hiking trails along the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

“We have developed these adventure activities specifically for tourists with a sporting mindset who will be attending AFCON matches,” Dr Kiwango said.

The new attractions will complement existing tourism offerings such as game drives, night safaris, birdwatching, guided shore walks and walking tours through the Marang’ Forest.

Lake Manyara is already internationally recognised for its rare tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds and more than 400 bird species. The park also hosts four of Africa’s famed “Big Five” animals, including lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes.

Officials believe these unique wildlife experiences, combined with the new adventure activities, will help increase visitor spending and encourage tourists to extend their stays in Tanzania after attending football matches.

Beyond tourism, TANAPA is also using AFCON preparations to attract investors. Authorities are promoting opportunities for high-end accommodation developments within the Marang’ Forest area and are exploring the possibility of introducing a golf course integrated into the natural environment.

The broader objective is to use AFCON as a platform to showcase Tanzania’s tourism industry to a global audience while generating lasting economic returns.

Tourism experts have often noted that major sporting events produce their greatest benefits when they lead to repeat visits, private investment and stronger international branding. Tanzanian officials believe AFCON 2027 can help achieve all three.

For TANAPA, the mission is clear: ensure football fans who arrive in East Africa for AFCON leave with enough reasons to return as tourists long after the tournament has ended.

The post AFCON 2027: Tanzania Targets Tourism Boom Through Football Fans appeared first on NBS Sport.

According to news first reported by the Daily Mail, the Football Association (FA) is working with local police after vehicles transporting England’s kit from their pre-tournament camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, to their official base at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City were broken into.

Among the missing items are believed to be players’ match boots, training gear, official tournament footballs, coaching equipment, uniforms, analysis tools, massage tables and other essential items used by manager Thomas Tuchel and his backroom staff.

The theft occurred as the equipment was being transported to Missouri, where England will be based for at least the next three weeks during their World Cup campaign.

The squad was scheduled to begin preparations at their Kansas City training base on Saturday afternoon, but staff were forced to assess what remained available and what needed to be replaced.

Sources indicate that only one football was left among the cargo that survived the robbery, with fears that boots belonging to some of England’s biggest stars, including captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham, may have been taken.

The incident has raised concerns over potential disruption to Tuchel’s carefully planned preparations ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday night at 11 pm EAT.

Police officers were called to the scene on Friday evening and are working closely with the FA to investigate the incident.

Two arrests have reportedly been made in connection with the theft, while authorities continue efforts to recover the stolen equipment.

Security officials are also investigating how the robbery occurred, with suspicion reportedly falling on individuals involved in the transportation of the team’s equipment.

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The Queens host Lady Doves in the first leg on Saturday, June 13, with the club standing just two matches away from a first-ever appearance in the competition’s final.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Kaidu said the occasion should not create unnecessary pressure within the squad despite its historic significance.

“As players, we don’t have any pressure. All we are wishing is to do our thing, but again I would advise my fellow players to be calm, to play the game and to see that we reach the finals.”

Kaidu is among several Kampala Queens players with previous experience of semi-final football from their time at other clubs and believes composure will be key as the team seeks to take a positive result into the second leg.

Kampala Queens enter the match with an impressive record against Lady Doves. In 10 meetings between the sides in the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League, the Queens have won eight and drawn two, with Lady Doves still searching for a first victory.

The Kampala side also completed a league double over their opponents this season. Catherine Nagadya scored twice in a 3-0 home victory before Kampala Queens secured a 2-1 win in Masindi through goals from Ainembabazi Joanitah and Jamilah Nabulime.

However, Kaidu and her teammates know cup football can be unpredictable, with previous results offering little advantage once a place in the final is on the line.

The Queens have also been boosted by the return of striker Catherine Nagadya, who missed the quarter-final through suspension following a red card in the previous round.

A strong result in the first leg would put Kampala Queens in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture in Masindi on June 17 as they seek to make more history by reaching their first FUFA Women’s Cup final.

The post Kaidu Confident as Kampala Queens Target First-Ever FUFA Women’s Cup Final appeared first on NBS Sport.

In front of a passionate home crowd, Jesse Marsch’s side showed resilience after falling behind in the first half, with substitute Cyle Larin delivering the equaliser late on to spark celebrations across Toronto.

Bosnia and Herzegovina started the brighter of the two teams and should have taken the lead inside the opening minutes.

A deep free-kick found Amar Memic unmarked inside the box, but the forward fired over from 12 yards. Jovo Lukic then came close moments later, heading narrowly wide as Canada struggled to settle.

The hosts eventually grew into the contest and created their first meaningful opportunity after the 15-minute mark when Jonathan David tested Nikola Vasilj, but the Juventus striker’s effort lacked power and was comfortably saved.

Canada’s early warning signs soon turned into punishment as Bosnia opened the scoring in the 21st minute.

Ivan Basic delivered a dangerous corner that Sead Kolasinac flicked on at the near post, allowing Lukic to rise at the back post and nod home from close range for his first senior international goal.

The goal forced Canada to increase their attacking intensity, but despite enjoying a series of corners and greater possession, the hosts struggled to break down a disciplined Bosnia defence.

Their best chance before the interval fell to Tani Oluwaseyi, who showed strength to turn his marker inside the box but could not find the composure needed to beat Vasilj, leaving Sergej Barbarez’s side ahead at the break.

Canada emerged from halftime with renewed purpose and almost levelled shortly after the restart.

Oluwaseyi was again denied by Vasilj after a brilliant piece of individual skill, before Richie Laryea looked certain to score following a flowing passing move.

The defender beat the goalkeeper, but Bosnia captain Kolasinac produced a sensational goal-line clearance to keep his side ahead.

Bosnia responded with chances of their own, with Ermedin Demirovic forcing a strong save from Maxime Crepeau in a one-on-one situation.

As the clock ticked down, Canada’s pressure intensified. The hosts thought they had finally found the breakthrough in the 70th minute when Oluwaseyi’s header looked destined for the net, only for Nikola Katic to make another crucial goal-line clearance.

However, Canada’s persistence was eventually rewarded.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Marsch introduced Cyle Larin, and the veteran forward made an immediate impact.

After connecting with a clever flick from fellow substitute Promise David, Larin fired a clinical finish beyond Vasilj to send the Toronto crowd into celebration.

Neither side could find a winning goal in the closing stages as the points were shared in the sweltering conditions on the shores of Lake Ontario.

The result marked another milestone for Canada, who extended their unbeaten run to nine matches. Bosnia, meanwhile, stretched their run of draws in 90 minutes to six consecutive matches.

Both teams will now turn their attention to their second Group B fixtures on Thursday. Canada travel west to Vancouver to face 2022 hosts Qatar, while Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Switzerland in Los Angeles.

The post Canada Rally to Secure Historic World Cup Point Against Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared first on NBS Sport.

Toyota Buffaloes have booked their place in the 2026 Nile Special Rugby Premiership final after defeating a spirited Makerere Impis side in a fiercely contested two-legged semifinal. The Kyadondo-based outfit now awaits the winner between Platinum Credit Heathens and Stanbic Black Pirates in the battle for the league crown.

The Buffaloes displayed the composure and experience that have defined their season, particularly in the first leg at the Makerere Graveyard.

After trailing 8-6 at halftime, they produced a clinical second-half performance led by fly-half Yasin Waiswa, who scored 15 of Buffaloes’ 20 points through three penalties, a conversion, and a crucial try. Former Impis forward Kennedy Muhumuza added a late try to give the visitors a valuable cushion heading into the return leg.

Back at Kyadondo, Buffaloes relied on disciplined defence and smart game management to protect their aggregate advantage. Scrum-half Hussein Shein injected tempo when needed, while utility back Daniels Otim once again impressed with his pace and attacking flair as the hosts sealed their passage to the final.

Despite their elimination, Impis exit with pride after one of the most remarkable campaigns in recent Premiership history. Promoted to the top flight only months ago, the students reached their first-ever semifinal and established themselves as one of the league’s most exciting teams.

Their fairytale run was highlighted by a stunning quarterfinal comeback against 13-time champions KCB Kobs. After losing the first leg 23-12, Impis produced a memorable 30-10 victory at Legends Grounds to overturn the deficit and advance 35-33 on aggregate — one of the greatest playoff comebacks the competition has witnessed.

Captain Darren Aine was central to the historic campaign, finishing the regular season with a record-breaking 131 points — the highest tally ever recorded by a player in a debut Premiership season. Alongside him, centurion and team chairman Pius Mpoza provided leadership and dominance at the breakdown, while Edgar Akimanzi, Ivan Kirabo, and Lamote Maggali delivered key performances throughout the students’ impressive playoff run.

The post Toyota Buffaloes March Into Nile Special Rugby Premiership Final appeared first on NBS Sport.

The 29-year-old, who won the 5,000m in 2022 and the 10,000m in 2023, argued the drug was prescribed for a medical condition and submitted supporting documents.

While World Athletics confirmed her treatment met TUE standards, her retroactive exemption request was rejected.

The AIU ruled the sanction appropriate given her prompt admission and medical evidence. Her ban runs from 1 June to 30 September 2026, leaving her sidelined after last competing in October.

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