Latest news with #Cranes
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
Family legacy fuels CHAN dreams for Uganda duo Ssebagala and Usama
For many footballers, a call-up to represent their national team is the fulfilment of a dream. But for Uganda's rising stars Enock Ssebagala and Usama Arafat, the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is more than just a tournament—it is a continuation of a family legacy. The two Cranes hopefuls have football in their blood and are stepping into a space once occupied by their elder brothers—Manko Kaweesa and Isima Watenga—both of whom proudly wore the national colours at previous editions of CHAN. Now, with the 2024 edition set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from 2 to 28 August 2025, Ssebagala and Usama are poised to write new chapters in their family histories. A Brother's Footsteps: Ssebagala's Rise For Vipers SC midfielder Enock Ssebagala, the CHAN stage represents both destiny and opportunity. His older brother, Manko Kaweesa, featured in Uganda's CHAN debut in 2011 in Sudan, a campaign that, despite an early exit, left a lasting mark on the local football narrative. 'I am happy that my brother was summoned to the national team, it is a proud moment,' said Kaweesa. 'If you are recognised among over 40 million Ugandans, you must be grateful. CHAN is a tough tournament—everyone wants to turn professional—and that means life-changing opportunities. I urge Ssebagala to focus, be disciplined and score goals. If Uganda reaches the final, the entire squad will attract international attention.' Ssebagala's own journey has been one of resilience and steady progress. After shining for NEC FC in their debut Uganda Premier League season, helping them to a second-place finish, he earned a move to league champions Vipers SC. That form saw him break into the national setup. Although he didn't feature in Uganda's CHAN qualifiers against Burundi last December, Ssebagala made his senior Cranes debut in a recent friendly against Gambia, coming on for Bobosi Byaruhanga in a match that ended 1-1. 'It is a big opportunity to be called up for CHAN and I thank God for this blessing,' Ssebagala said. 'To me, it is a major achievement. My brother has inspired me a lot and I hope to build on what he started in 2011. I want to represent my country and make my family proud.' With competition for midfield places heating up, Ssebagala remains focused: 'God is everything in my journey, but I've also worked hard, listened to coaches, and stayed focused on teamwork. That's been key to my growth.' Usama's Turn to Shine KCCA FC winger Usama Arafat is also drawing strength from family inspiration. His elder brother, goalkeeper Isima Watenga, represented Uganda at CHAN 2016 in Rwanda and CHAN 2018 in Morocco. 'I've always believed in Usama. He's talented and ready, but now he needs to prove himself on a bigger stage,' said Watenga. 'CHAN is the perfect platform. It changed my life—and it can change his.' Usama, known for his pace and flair down the flanks, has already shown glimpses of his potential in domestic football. Now, he stands ready to blaze his own trail—not from between the posts like his brother, but cutting in from the wings with hunger and determination. Two Brothers. Two Dreams. One Mission. For Ssebagala and Usama, CHAN 2024 offers more than exposure—it's a chance to honour those who walked the path before them, to live up to their family names, and perhaps carve out new legacies of their own. Guided by bloodlines and driven by ambition, these two young Cranes are ready to soar.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
CHAN 2024 preparations: Senegal fall 2-1 to Uganda
The local Lions suffer a friendly defeat just days before the CHAN kicks off. CHAN 2024 preparations: Senegal fall 2-1 to Uganda The local Senegal squad suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uganda in a friendly match played at Karatu Stadium this Thursday, July 24, in Tanzania. This encounter, featuring two sides set to compete in CHAN 2024, was part of their final preparations for the tournament. Against Uganda, Souleymane Diallo's men showed signs of defensive fragility. After a balanced first half, the Cranes seized control in the second period. Arnold Odong broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. Four minutes later, Patrick Kakande converted a penalty to double the lead. Despite a late surge, the Lions couldn't turn the tide. Serigne Moctar Koita pulled one back in the 88th minute, but Uganda held on to their advantage until the final whistle. This setback comes less than two weeks before the start of the CHAN, scheduled from August 2 to 30 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Senegal will wrap up their preparations against Tanzania's local Taifa Stars on July 27, 2025.
CAF
18-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Odong's championship mindset lifts Uganda in CHAN 2024 build-up
Fresh from helping SC Villa clinch the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League title, defender Arnold Odong is now channeling that same intensity into Uganda's preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. Odong, who played a pivotal role for SC Villa last season with 24 appearances, believes the high-intensity training camp underway at the FUFA Technical Centre in Kisasi is sharpening the Cranes for what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament. The camp is part of the team's final build-up to the continental event, which is reserved for players plying their trade in their home countries. 'The first week of camp has not been easy,' Odong admitted. 'The intensity has increased, training has become tougher, but it's good for us. We appreciate it because it's going to help us perform better as a team in the coming games. Our coaches believe a lot in hard work, and that's exactly what it takes to compete.' Under the watchful eye of co-coaches Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza, Uganda's locally-based stars have embraced the demands of the residential camp, blending tactical drills with physical conditioning. Odong says the camp is also creating vital chemistry in the squad. 'First of all, it's a very good thing as a team to enter camp because it has brought us all together,' he explained. 'The players are working together, bonding, getting to know each other more. We're able to train collectively and the coaches can monitor what each and every player is doing. It's really helping us grow as a team.' The 24-year-old defender brings more than domestic pedigree to the squad. Odong featured for Uganda during their 2023 AFCON qualification campaign and friendlies against continental heavyweights such as Cameroon and Gambia—experiences he believes have equipped him with insights that are now benefiting the CHAN squad. 'Moving with the team during AFCON qualification gave me a lot of experience,' he said. 'I got to play with top players, learned from them, and understood how the national team operates. That same style of play is now being used for CHAN, so I come in with a bit of insight I can share with the squad to help us work better together.' Placed in a tricky Group C alongside Algeria, South Africa, Guinea and Niger, Uganda will need every ounce of grit, unity, and tactical clarity to progress. 'We're home and we need to give it our all,' Odong added. 'We need to work really hard to get out of the group and go far in the tournament.' With Odong's blend of leadership, league-winning experience and international exposure, the Cranes may well have the defensive backbone needed to make a strong CHAN 2024 run.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Majestic birds hunted to extinction return to Scotland after 500 years
'The birds are doing particularly well in northern and eastern Europe, and they're now seeking out other sites with good food supplies where they can live.' Cranes are making a dramatic comeback in Scotland nearly five centuries after being hunted to extinction. The towering birds, which were widely eaten during the Middle Ages as the prized delicacy at medieval banquets, vanished from Scotland in the late 1500s due to overhunting. But conservationists are now celebrating a modern-day success story, as the birds make a natural return. In Aberdeenshire, up to six pairs of cranes have been recorded breeding—proof that the species is quietly reclaiming its place in the Scottish countryside. Ron Macdonald, a volunteer with the RSPB, told STV: 'In 2012, we saw the first nesting pair recorded and since then we've seen around six or seven pairs in the north east. 'The birds are doing particularly well in northern and eastern Europe, and they're now seeking out other sites with good food supplies where they can live.' Standing at around four feet tall, cranes are the largest birds in Scotland. Thanks to habitat restoration and conservation efforts, their numbers are climbing across the UK, with the RSPB estimating around 250 breeding pairs nationwide. In Scotland, the restoration of peatlands and wetlands has been key to their return. 'I think it's one of the few good news stories around, because we see so many species in decline," Ron said. 'I think in recent years there's been a good partnership between farmers and conservation projects, and our government also has more policies for nature restoration, particularly when it comes to wetland and bog creation.' Cranes have recently been spotted in the Black Isle, Moray and even on Mull, with breeding pairs confirmed in some of these areas for the first time this year. James Silvey, Senior Species and Habitats Officer at RSPB Scotland, hailed the comeback as a major win for nature. He said: 'The return of this iconic species to Scotland is one of the great modern conservation success stories. 'The fact the birds recolonised naturally is a result both of an increasing European population and suitable habitat in the North East of Scotland where most birds are found. 'Cranes are migratory and can turn up in some odd places as they make their way to and from their breeding grounds. For example, in spring 2025 a bird was seen on Orkney. 'Cranes are still a very rare breeder in Scotland preferring quiet areas to raise their chicks. "Hopefully with time Cranes will become more common across our wetlands allowing more people to see these magnificent birds.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Large bird that was hunted into extinction makes return to Scotland after 500 YEARS
It is described as 'one of the great modern conservation success stories' TAKING FLIGHT Large bird that was hunted into extinction makes return to Scotland after 500 YEARS Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LARGE bird that was hunted into extinction is making a return to Scotland after 500 years. Cranes were once very common across the country, but disappeared in the Elizabethan era. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cranes disappeared in the Elizabethan era around 400 years ago Credit: Alamy But Scotland's tallest birds are now making a comeback, with the number of species reaching a record-breaking high. The RSPB says the total UK population is now in excess of 250 breeding pairs. In Aberdeenshire, up to six breeding pairs have been recorded. It follows efforts by reserve teams and volunteers to restore and protect precious wetland habitats. The RSPB says over 80 per cent of the breeding population of Cranes are now found on protected sites. Standing at 1.2m high, the elegant birds are known for their "courtship dance" involving head bobbing, bowing and pirouetting. RSPB volunteer Ron Macdonald told STV News: "In 2012, we saw the first nesting pair recorded and since then we've seen around six or seven pairs in the north east. "The birds are doing particularly well in northern and eastern Europe, and they're now seeking out other sites with good food supplies where they can live. "I think it's one of the few good news stories around, because we see so many species in decline. "I think in recent years there's been a good partnership between farmers and conservation projects, and our government also has more policies for nature restoration, particularly when it comes to wetland and bog creation." RSPB share footage of partakers Big Garden Birdwatch James Silvey, Senior Species and Habitats Officer for RSPB Scotland, described the return of cranes as "one of the great modern conservation success stories". He added: "Cranes are still a very rare breeder in Scotland preferring quiet areas to raise their chicks. "Hopefully with time Cranes will become more common across our wetlands allowing more people to see these magnificent birds."
