By Thomas Odongo
Event: Africa Zone Series (Uganda vs Kenya)
Date: 12th November 2023
Venue: Legends Grounds, Kampala
Uganda men’s national American Football team, The Generals will host their Kenyan counterparts on 12th November for the first leg of the 2023 Africa Zone Series. The event will be played at Legends Grounds in Kampala. The return leg will be held on 12th December in Nairobi.
This will be second major competitive and full contact event to be hosted by Uganda with the inaugural one happening last year in November and it was still the Africa Zone Series.
The first leg of the series was launched on Wednesday at Legends Grounds in Kampala by American Football Federation of Uganda (AFFU) led by their President Steven George Okeng, event partners, members of the support technical team and some players.
“We are so excited about this and I’m confident we shall have a successful event,” AFFU’s Okeng said adding that; “we want to put up a Superbowl-like experience here and it will be a much improved event from last year. Apart from the action on the pitch, we shall also have entertainment inorder to get fans pumped up for the game.”
Playing at home for the first time, Uganda’s team last year fell to Kenya off a 0-6 defeat. Kenya running back George Alwanga was the only player to touch down in a game that had a fair attendance. However, the Generals have been working hard to improve their performance and are confident they can come out on top this time around.
Uganda’s team has been going through training sessions led by local coaches Shudaid Mpanga (head), Martin Omala (defense) and Abel Bangi (offense). However, the dugout has been boosted by the arrival of USA trio Stuart Zackary, William Cotter Biddle and John Michael Angelo who work with Barstool Sports Group.
“I am impressed by the goodness of this team and I believe we will beat Kenya,” Biddle said adding Wednesday morning session with the team at Legends adding that; “on Sunday we are going out there to ensure we get a win against Kenya. I can’t wait for Sunday in order to get the job done.”
The outing promises to be a thrilling event, and fans on both sides of the border will be eagerly anticipating the outcome.
The event has been boosted by the support of partners, Urban TV and FHNS Pharma.
The overall winner of the event after two legs will qualify for next year’s World Championships that will be played in Finland.
For AFFU, hosting the event once again is a huge milestone for them as they intend to create more awareness about the game.
The Africa Zone series is an American Football championship that started five years and Uganda is hosting one of the events for the second time.
After the Africa Zone Series, AFFU wants to ‘keep the fire burning’ by forming teams that comprise of players across the country and there after start a league.
Uganda Generals Team
Players: George William Bekunda, Ashraf Golooba, Samuel Kigozi, Matia Jjagwe, Patrick Akandwanaho, Jonathan Odong, Steven Kinyera, Brian Tibagasa, Paul Ruhundwangeye, King James Oyena, Hussein Andama, Shafiq Mawejje, Nobert Gibnena, Richard Ngobi, Gibson Ocaya, Marvin Kasumba, Joshua Wenowe, Ken Rohan Kamanzi, Keith Rowan Kabera, Ronald Mugerwa, George W. Muwanga, Patrick Muhire, Michael Mugezi, Bernad Mubangizi, Denis Oduke, Patrick Lapyem and Joseph Oyat.
Technical team:
Shudais Mpanga (Head), Martin Omala (Defense Coordinator), Abel Bangi (Offense Coordinator)
Support staff:
Stuart Zackary, William Cotter Biddle and John Michael Angelo