Clubs now allowed to field five non domestic players in a match.
The FUFA Executive through an amendment has extended the number of foreign players to five (5), from only three (3), that could be fielded in a FUFA Competition Match.
Fielding foreign talent rather than homegrown players was not popular among Ugandan Clubs until the Venoms made a deal out of Congolese international Lobi Manzoki two years ago in 2020.
Just as the English Premier League has a limitation on the number of non-English players in a club’s squad, Uganda’s top-flight clubs as well have a limit on the number of foreign players they can field at ago.
The FUFA Executive through an amendment of Article 19 (2)(V) of the FUFA Competitions Rules has extended the number of these players to five (5), from only three (3) that could be fielded in a FUFA Competition Match.
The Executive disclosed that the agreement to amend the article was reached after considering the involvement of Ugandan clubs in the Continental tournaments, against clubs using a bigger number of foreign players.
FUFA Communications Director HAMED HUSSEIN
“Considering that our clubs are starting to compete in group stages of CAF Inter Club competitions and yet their probable competitors use more foreign players, the Executive has amended an increase to the number of foreign players for FUFA Competitions from three (3) to five (5). This will, among others, enable our Clubs in the CAF Inter Club Competitions to use such players in FUFA Competitions as well.Hamed Hussein – FUFA Communications Director
“The FUFA Executive has amended Article 19 (2)(V) of the FUFA Competitions Rules (FCR) where hitherto only three (3) foreign players could be fielded in a FUFA Competition Match.”
“In this regard the FCR Article 19 (2) (V) is hereby, with immediate effect, amended to read as follows: A Club shall be allowed to field a maximum of five (5) foreign players in any single FUFA Competition match. Relatedly not more than one (1) of the five (5) may be a goal keeper”
SUPL giants Vipers and Kampala Capital City Authority are some of the teams to look up to, regarding the signing of foreign players and the former will have the amendment work to their advantage, as they seek to progress to the next stages of the CAF Champions League.
Vipers Soccer Club were particular in their signings for the previous window, bringing on board five players of Congolese origin like Rodriguez Shamamba, Gracia Mpongo Mbombo, Darcy Mbaka Kipoyi, Olivier Osomba, and shot-stoppers Alfred Mudekereza, and Fabien Mutombora.
Named October footballer of the month, Alfred Mudekereza is currently Venoms’ first-choice goalkeeper, and he recently helped them reach the CAF Champions League group stage after ejecting TP Mazembe on a 4-2 penalty shootout win.
The amendment now means Vipers will be able to reinforce their midfield and attacking line with the new signings but did not effect it in their 3-0 win against Maroons FC on Friday at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
