Maroons FC, also known as Prisons FC, is a Ugandan professional football club from Kampala owned by Uganda Prisons Service, currently playing in the Uganda Premier League. Playing as Prisons FC, the club won the first two Ugandan Super League championships in 1968 and 1969[1][2] and made the quarterfinals of the 1970 African Cup of Champions Clubs, losing 6–2 on aggregate to Egypt's Ismaily.[3][4]
 | |
| Full name | Maroons Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Mbili Mbili |
| Short name | MFC |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Ground | Luzira Maximum Security Prison, Kampala |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Manager | Ayieko Charles Lukula |
| League | Uganda Premier League |
| 2023–24 | 7th |
| Website | https://maroonsfc.co.ug |
History
editPrisons FC won the first two Ugandan Super League titles in 1968 and 1969, and were the first team to represent Uganda in international competition in the 1970 African Cup of Champions Clubs (a Ugandan team, Bitumastic, qualified in 1967 but withdrew before playing a match.[5])
The club declined during the 1980s and suffered their first relegation in 1987.[6]
They were champions of the Second division of Ugandan football, the Ugandan Big League, three times in the 2010s, gaining promotion to the Ugandan Premier League each time, including the 2015/16 and 2017/18 football seasons.[7][8][9]
Maroons were relegated again during the 2020 season after the Uganda federation halted play after 25 games, but were promoted again in 2022.[10]
In 2006, Maroons Football Club made it to the finals of the Kampala Zonal Mini League. The team was under the guidance of Coach Mole Bwekwaso and Ntege Patrick, who is currently the manager of the Uganda National team. Despite months of preparation and molding, Maroons unfortunately lost in the initial stages and did not progress to the next round. After the Zonal Mini League, Asaph Mwebaze immediately assumed the position of head coach during the annual inter-forces games. Prisons ended up as the runners-up in the tournament after delivering a captivating sporting performance.
A year later, Asaph Mwebaze assembled a highly motivated and youthful team from the vicinity of Luzira barracks. This team consisted of hardworking, committed, and dedicated players who garnered tremendous support from an ever-growing fan base. They were embraced by the community as agents of transformation, and they certainly lived up to expectations when they emerged victorious.[11]
The year 2007 marked a significant milestone in the club's history. Maroons Football Club successfully returned to the Ugandan Premier League after a hiatus of 23 years from top-division football. This achievement was sealed when Maroons outperformed Mutundwe Lions, a club owned by current FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, in the Kampala Zonal Mini League final held at Nakivubo Stadium. Under the guidance of Coach Asaph Mwebaze and led by Captain Cemari James, Maroons proved their mettle and secured their long-awaited promotion.[11]
Stadium
editThe club currently hosts its games at the Luzira Prisons Stadium with a capacity of over 5000 supporters located within the Luzira Prisons Complex. Here, the club benefits from the support of a passionate fan base and the convenient location within the prison complex. The Luzira Prisons Stadium provides an intimate and engaging atmosphere for the supporters, contributing to the overall experience of the games. The club's choice to host their matches within the prison complex also allows for unique opportunities to engage with the inmates, fostering a sense of community and inclusion.[11]
Statistics and records
edit| 01.11.23 16:00 | Airtel Kitara | 0:1 | Maroons FC | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.10.23 14:00 | Maroons FC | 1:1 | Uganda Revenue Authority | D |
| 20.10.23 16:00 | Bul FC | 3:0 | Maroons FC | L |
| 03.10.23 18:30 | KCCA FC | 1:2 | Maroons FC | W |
| 24.09.23 15:00 | Maroons FC | 1:1 | SC Villa JOGOO | D |
| 17.09.23 15:00 | Wakiso Giants FC | 0:3 | Maroons FC | W |
| 27.05.23 15:00 | Maroons FC | 0:0 | Bul FC | D |
| 19.05.23 16:00 | Express Football Club | 2:0 | Maroons FC | L |
| 16.05.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 1:0 | Onduparaka FC | W |
| 09.05.23 16:00 | Gaddafi | 0:0 | Maroons FC | D |
| 03.05.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 1:0 | SC Villa JOGOO | W |
| 29.04.23 14:00 | Uganda Revenue Authority | 2:3 | Maroons FC | W |
| 25.04.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 1:0 | UPDF FC | W |
| 18.04.23 16:00 | Blacks Power | 1:0 | Maroons FC | L |
| 05.04.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 2:2 | Vipers SC | D |
| 01.04.23 16:00 | KCCA FC | 1:1 | Maroons FC | D |
| 21.03.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 2:0 | Arua Hill | W |
| 03.03.23 16:00 | Wakiso Giants FC | 1:2 | Maroons FC | W |
| 24.02.23 16:00 | Maroons FC | 0:0 | Bright Stars FC | D |
| 09.02.23 16:00 | Busoga United | 0:1 | Maroons FC | W |
Honors
edit- Ugandan Super League Champion (2): 1968, 1969
- FUFA Big League Champion (3): 2010, 2015, 2017
Performance in CAF competitions
edit- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1 appearance 1970 – Quarter-finals
Current squad
editThis is the current squad of 2023.[11] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Non-playing staff
editPosition Name
- Head Coach:
Charles Ayeikoh Lukula - Assistant Coach: Ndifuna Eric
- Goalkeeping Coach: Sadiq Waswa
- Fitness Trainer: Tabula Abubaker
- Head Coach U17: Ssida Alex
- Second Assistant Head Coach Maroons Academy: Ssenfuma Mohammed
- Assistant Coach U17: Ojuka Simon Peter
- Head Coach U20 & Assistant Fitness Trainer: Ikidu Stephen
- Head Coach U14 & U12: Kyemali James
- Assistant Goalkeeping Coach: Tezigwa Ken Rogers
- Kits Manager: Justin
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hans Schöggl (11 October 2018). "Uganda - List of Champions". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ FUFA (23 June 2018). "Uganda Premier League History". Kampala: Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA). Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ "African Club Competitions 1970". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ^ "Maroons FC - Uganda - Team profile - playmakerstats.com". www.playmakerstats.com. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "African Club Competitions 1967". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ^ Zziwa, Hassan Badru (15 May 2017). "Uganda: Maroons FC Return Breath of Fresh Air to Top-Flight League". Retrieved 13 November 2018 – via AllAfrica.
- ^ Isabirye, David (25 April 2017). "Maroons promoted back to the Uganda Premier League". Kampala: Kawowo.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ James Robert Kayindi (21 July 2015). "Maroons FC plans Kenya camp before the new season kicks off". Kampala: BigEye Uganda. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Sports, Pulse. "Maroons FC - Latest team news & updates". Pulse Sports Uganda. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Shero, Kamardin (23 May 2020). "Charles Ayiekoh: It is absurd that Maroons was relegated". Touchline Sports. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Welcome to Maroons FC Uganda". maroonsfc.co.ug. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Maroons FC Live Scores, Football Results & Fixtures | FootLive". footlive.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
External links
edit- Maroons FC on Soccerway