All-Banija Sports Magazine

by **Banija** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:06 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Offseason

Chibuzo Afolayan sold for Banijan record $5 million transfer to AFC Corvistone in Nephara as Banijan clubs get active on the transfer market

Chibuzo Afolayan in a league game for Askatasuna FC

ASKATASUNA- The international UICA transfer window has started, and Banijan clubs are set to be more active than ever. After one entry into UICA competition, and with World Cup 70 Qualifiers coming up, the Banijan teams and players are set to be active on the market. For the first time, the RBSA is allowing full involvement of the Banijan Soccer League in the transfer market. Banijan clubs have participated in a number of free transfers, but before, with the 6 Banijan field requirement, they were also not allowed to buy foreign players in the transfer market for fees of more than $1 million NSDs. Which, essentially, cornered the BSL.

There has, of course, been a change of thinking from the top. Commissioner Jonah Vanston, who has led the league the last three seasons, told club owners and RBSA stakeholders that Banija's refusal to fully participate in world football held it back. "Soccer is a global sport, and the most widey participated in sport in the world." He said. "We cannot compare this situation to our NSCF schools, or our success in lacrosse or any other sport. We need to increase the competition within Banija, and the way to do that is by increasing competition in Banijan leagues."

The RBSA Board of Directors voted 13-12, only one single vote, to lift the minimum number of Banijans. Vanston said that this will help increase the marketability of the league abroad, as well as the infusion of talent helping Banijans. "Saying that Banijans need a handicap to get on the field in this league is laughable. We need to get more players of high quality into this league. The more high quality players we have playing in this league, the more we raise the level of play for Banijan players here. It will be harder to see the field, but those who do will see it based on merit. Clubs still have their scouts here in Banija, and the increased competition will see better performances from our youth and national teams."

Already, with this announcement, a number of players have announced their intention to leave. Superstar Omar Falcone, who score 9 goals en route to Amazonesta's victory at the Baptism of Fire 63, has announced his intention to not renew his contract and play in the new league in Isula Reale. And Chibuzo Afolayan, an up and coming star for the Banijan national team, has been sold for $5 million NSDs to AFC Corvistone of Nephara. Vanston said the moves were 'a part of the natural order'. "Players playing in leagues that improve Banijan competition is only going to help us in the long run. Yes, a couple of players will leave now, but we believe that we will be able to lure foreign stars to Banija. Increase the level of our clubs, we'll increase the level of play for our national teams."

The Hoima Warriors, after a shocking and disappointing 8th place finish, will try and buy many players, we believe, in order to get back into the coveted top 4. They also lost the RBSA Cup Final to the Herzegovina Phoenix, capping off a very disappointing season for this squad. Look for them to be the most active on the transfer market, buying and selling players left and right in order to get a competitive advantage. There are also rumors, that the team will not confirm nor deny, that they will approach SuperLlamaland Manager Curtis Chen to get this club back to where they believe it should be- at the summit.

by **Banija** » Sun Nov 26, 2017 3:46 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4 Rosters

Teams in the BSL-
Underlined players are Banijan internationals.
Nationality is listed if they are not Banijan.
Italicized players are internationals for a foreign country.
1. Herzegovina City Football Club.
Manager: Kolt Freegan. Age 48; 8th year at club.
Formation: 4-3-1-2
GK #1 Janko Jawara. Age 35.
LB #5 Alaji Kabbah. Age 35. Captain.
LCB #2 Lazlo Kearney. Age 29(Nephara)
RCB #4 Zinnah Atieno. Age 24.
RB #19 Massala Chahine. Age 31.
LM #14 Elias Abate. Age 27.
CM #7 Boimah Ba. Age 30.
RM #10 Aarón Aiza. Age 26(Equestrian States).
CAM #22 Jackson Oglobelo. Age 21(Abaja)
LS #6 Ennis Leishman. Age 28(New West Gallia)
RS #9 Guillermo Madruga. Age 24(Amazonesta).

2. Jinja City Football Club.
Manager: Alexander Bumba. Age 44, 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Corren Dankworth. Age 30(Nephara).
LB # 2 Fyodor Khalturin. Age 23(Arioslavia).
CB #15 Jio Eyawanifamni. Age 25(Abaja).
CB #13 Clarice Easter. Age 27(Chromatika)
RB #18 Yuri Poltoranin. Age 21(Arioslavia).
LM #7 Nikolay Menshikov. Age 24(Arioslavia).
CM #24 Daniel Asres. Age 27.
CM #10 Tokpah Ba. Age 31.
RM #23 Sia Fall. Age 21.
RS #9 Lin Moon. Age 26(Chromatika).
LS #11 Noah Lamont Hill. Age 29(Devonta).

3. Busukuma Athletic Club.
Manager: Sarh Sarr. Age 64; 15th year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3
GK #1. Ivan Ignatiev. Age 22(Arioslavia).
RB #2 Oliver Scott. Age 29(Schottia)
CB #15 Gereh Kinteh. Age 28.
LB #6 Marbue Okeke. Age 34. Captain.
LM #8 Ahmad Abdullah. Age 19(Abaja)
CDM #18 Lamie Hailemariam. Age 32.
CAM #21 Toyuwa Sall. Age 31.
RM #8 Ansu Cisse. Age 24.
LW #11 Zwana Demoz. Age 30.
ST #9 Saah Desta. Age 35.
RW #17 Melaku Afeworki. Age 30..

4. Hoima Warriors.
Manager: Jan Cassallerus(age 70). Native of San Llera. National team manager for World Cup Cycles 74-77. First year at club(started MD8 in Season 4).
Formation: 3-5-2.
GK #1 Chase Rushden. Age 30(Nephara).
LB #5 Idowu Kwandani. Age 29.
CB #4 Wenceslaw. Age 25(Cosumar).
RB #19 Kofa Toure. Age 29.
LM #13 Julian Turner. Age 24(Dunnes).
CM #14 Samba Ndaw. Age 22.
CM #22 Flomo Osei. Age 31.
RM #6 John Katumba. Captain. Age 33.
CAM #10 Marbue Owusu. Age 22.
LS #7 Andrey Soltykov. Age 21(Arioslavia).
RS #11 Mamo Berehunu. Age 31.

5. Mynda Soccer Club.
Manager: Jose Gonzalez(Amazonesta). Age 62, 2nd year at the club.
Starters: 4-4-2
GK #1 Zinnah Ndiaye. Age 27.
RB #2 Barry Horlock. Age 31(Nephara).
CB #4 Samson Gashi. Age 27.
CB #5 Saa Mensah. Age 28. Twin brother of Blama Mensah.
LB #3 Blama Mensah. Age 28. Twin brother of Saa Mensah.
RM #17 Josiah Buba. Age 36. Captain.
CM #15 Trokon Sesay. Age 27.
CM #12 Miguel Freitas. Age 31(Amazonesta).
LM #8 Kwame Gebremichael. Age 29.
LS #11 Sarh Sane. Age 30.
RS #9 Meherka Edris. Age 30.

6. Umbazi Metropolitan Sporting Club.
Manager: Yafet Kahsai. Age 51, 3rd year at club.
Starters: 5-3-2 w/ sweeper
GK #1 Assefa Berhane. Age 24.
RB #2 Siafa Diop. Age 25.
CB #5 Simon Wanjala. Age 35.
SW #3 Hatabu Ouattara. Age 20.
CB #4 Jalang Ba. Age 19.
LB #12 Saa Osei. Age 34.
LM #25 Asa Sylla. Age 24.
CM #8 John Tewedros. Age 30. Captain.
RM #17 Ervin Jon-Mikel. Age 29(Abaja)
LS #11 Toyuwa Gebremichael. Age 32.
RS #7 Vicente Bernardes. Age 30(Amazonesta).

7. Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club.
Manager: Iphicrates Bella, Age 45, 2nd year at club.
Starters: 3-3-3-1.
GK #1 Ke Linkenhorne. Age 27(The Askari Union).
RB #2 Tamandani Arendse. Age 34. Older brother of teammate Chinasa Arendse.
CB #3 Chikondi Tokodoni. Age 32.
LB #14 Eniola Afolayan. Captain. Age 35.
CDM #15 Chinasa Arendse. Age 31. Younger brother of teammate Tamandani Arendse.
RCM #12 Ihejirika Akachi. Age 30.
LCM #11 Jumaane Folami. Age 29.
RW #7 Kobina Irsay. Age 30.
CAM #10 Nathaniel Yisake. Age 31.
LW #8 Thoko Kgosi. Age 29.
ST #9 Bruno Rodrigues. Age 29(Amazonesta).

8. The Lwanga Lions.
Manager: Vincent Wilson. Age 36. 1st year at club. Former captain of Banijan national team.
Starters: 4-2-1-3
GK #1 Leandro Garcia. Age 30(Amazonesta). Captain.
RB #2 Beheilu Dessalegne. Age 30.
CB #4 Assefa Roni. Age 31.
CB #5 Negus Kebede. Age 24.
LB #6 Kirubel Ayele. Age 30.
RCM #20 Basant Servaia. Age 23.
LCM #25 Assi Finhas. Age 29.
CAM #10 Natnael Dagmawi. Age 28.
LW #7 Yemane Bessufekad. Age 30.
ST #9 Gizaw Mignote. Age 31.
RW #11 Ebissa Wolitigna. Age 31.

9. Askatasuna Football Club.
Manager: Protesilaus Soter. Age 68, 9th year at the club.
Starters: 4-4-2
GK #1 Hakim Gukssa. Age 23.
RB #2 Melku Atikem. Age 29.
CB #5 Eba Zeru. Age 32.
CB #4 Barnabas Abdimelech. Captain. Age 33.
LB #18 Malek Abdullah(Huda). Age 29.
LM #17 Diego Furtado. Age 28(Amazonesta).
CM # 13 Michael Negasso. Age 29.
CM #15 Alem Bekira. Age 29.
RM #12 Martin Lucey. Age 18(Dunnes).
RS #7 Alulawe Ju. Age 28(Abaja)
LS #11 Rada Ezera. Age 23.

10. Kitara Athletic Association.
Manager: Flip Kollias. Age 58, 4th year at club.
Starters: 3-3-1-3
GK #1 Sago Nagatomo. Age 23(Hinode)
RB #2 Enzo Capistran. Age 34(Amazonesta).
CB #15 Melech Gersem. Age 27.
LB #19 Abraham Godefai. Age 21.
LM #11 Abraham Akampurira. Age 33. Captain.
CDM #14 Thomas Owen. Age 21(Audioslavia)
RM #8 Mekbib Asmelash. Age 29.
CAM #10 Francis Getachew. Age 31.
LW #7 Habtamu Girma. Age 34.
ST #9 Zewedu Alemayehu. Age 32.
RW #8 Taye Negasso. Age 30.

11. Istria City Football Club.
Manager: Erechtheus Condos. Age 68, 5th year at club.
Starters: 4-2-3-1
GK #1 Gabriel Negus. Age 32.
RB #2 Berihu Abeselome. Age 21.
CB #5 Maximiliane Purcell(Nephara). Age 22.
CB #4 Noah Geteye. Age 23.
LB #18 Gregory Hatzis. Age 35. Captain.
CDM #19 Robel Abeselome. Age 28.
CDM #15 Bullo Afework. Age 30.
LM #7 Abram Senay. Age 31.
CAM #10 Girma Asmelash. Age 27.
RM #11 Addis Anwar. Age 27.
ST #9 Assefa Yitebarke. Age 22.

12. Aissa United Football Club.
Manager: Gregory Banis, Age 52. 3rd year at club.
Starters: 5-4-1
GK #1 Yonas Tolla. Age 33.
RWB #2 Bona Demessie. Age 30.
RCB #15 Gathu Wamiti. Age 26.
CB #15 Osmar Tavares da Silva. Age 26(Amazonesta).
LCB #17 Eduardo Val De La Salles. Age 20(Amazonesta)
LB #7 Travis Cherenebereck. Age 23.
RM #18 Amde Melos. Age 27.
CM #8 Amare Degu. Age 31. Captain.
CM #10 Oromo Berhanu. Age 32.
LM #23 Gabriel Teoflyos. Age 31.
ST #9 Kawsu Mboge. Age 28.

13. Isipongo Flash.
Manager: Vasyitso Maris. Age 70, 10th year at club.
Starters: 4-3-2-1
GK #1 Alan Namara. Age 36.
RB #2 Abesalom Anwar. Age 32.
CB #5 Malo Izijurim. Age 26(Abaja)
CB #4 Jayce Howard. Age 29(Brenicia)
LB #14 Raphael Wendimu. Age 26.
LM #7 Youssef Negasi(Huda). Age 29.
CM #18 Raul Fanudes. Age 31(Amazonesta).
RM #17 Elias Bayou. Age 30.
RCAM #20 Lebna Ephram. Age 28.
LCAM #10 Kezekia Mulogo. captain. Age 36.
ST #9 Akena Kenyatta. Age 32.

14. Dukuma Sporting Club.
Manager: Prophyrios Tantalo. Age 52, 3rd year at club.
Starters: 4-4-2 diamond.
GK #16 Delbin Kasekende. Age 28.
RB #14 Émerson Morais. Age 27.
CB #5 Gedeyon Debebe. Age 30.
CB #6 Amde Gersem. Age 31.
LB #23 Baslios Fisseha. Age 27.
CDM #21 Yonas Benti. Captain. Age 36.
LM #7 Kinuthia Warari. Age 27.
RM #18 Ivanildo. Age 27(Amazonesta)
CAM #10 Andre Mesay. Age 27.
RS #19 Girum Mikias. Age 25.
LS #9 Belai Kebede. Age 29.

15. Rukunbi Football Club.
Manager: Teague Spanos. Age 58, 6th year at club.
Starters: 4-3-3
GK #1 Dawit Berhanu. Age 35.
RB #2 Dembo Jawara. Captain.Age 31.
CB #5 Berhane Abdikarim. Age 31. (Twin brother of Henoke Abdikarim).
CB #3 Henoke Abdikarim. Age 31. (Twin brother of Berhane Abdikarim).
LB #12 Anwar Elshaday. Age 29.
LM #13 Menkir Teka. Age 30.
CM #10 Addis Medr. Age 26.
RM #6 Kahu Meherka. Age 30.
LW #11 Amir Bezuayehu. Age 33.
ST #9 Amanuel Bsrat. Age 23.
RW #24 Robel Beselot. Age 24.

16. Lakiska Sporting Club.
Manager: Ambros Macris. Age 62, 5th year at club.
Starters: 4-5-1
GK #1 Zachariah Elmer. Age 26(Nephara).
RB #2 Noah Abdimelech. Age 30.
CB #5 Bezerra Lemos. Age 20(Amazonesta)
CB #4 Gabriel Braga. Age 25(Amazonesta)
LB #19 Zeru Beryihun. Age 22.
LM #7 Markos Dalu. Age 26.
CM #15 Joseph Zekulu. Age 33. Captain.
CDM #18 Joseph Williamson. Age 21.
CM #14 Nathan Brehanu. Age 31.
RM #8 Ezekiel Wakayo. Age 28.
ST #9 Ousman Babaja. Age 20.

17. Busukuma Force.
Manager: Tibebu Eyoel. 66 years old. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Meles Asmerom. Age 32.
RB #13 Zekulu Bullo. Age 31.
CB #5 Jack Fayne. Age 30(Nephara).
CB #4 Tesheme Yalaxow. Age 31.
LB #14 Ensa Camara. Age 19.
RM #17 Abdul Ramaas. Age 31.
CM #14 Chase Page. Age 32(Nephara). Captain.
LCM #15 Fabio Hamamura. Age 23(Amazonesta)
LM #8 Ansu Araya. Age 31.
RS #11 Meba Keya. Age 32.
LS #9 Mateo Keepton. Age 30(Nephara)

18. Herzegovina Phoenix.
Manager: Motuma Essayas. Age 63. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3(defensive)
GK #1 Gersem Markos. Age 30.
RB #2 Vastyn Tredillick. Age 23(Ceni).
CB #3 Yafet Fekadu. Age 31. Captain.
CB #5 Eba Feleke. Age 28.
LB #4 Aaron Eyob. Age 30.
RDM #15 Israel Dejene. Age 31.
LDM #14 Fasika Boru. Age 30.
CM #8 Lucia Silkemark. Age 23(Nephara)
LW #7 Baslios Temesgen. Age 25.
ST #9 Chase Pershing. Age 32(Brenecia).
RW #12 Kayin Meseret. Age 29.

19. Busembe Timberwolves.
Manager: Zemenfes Nataye. Age 67. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Neway Kidane. Age 35.
RB #2 Berihu Temesgen. Age 22.
CB #4 Mebreatu Abay. Age 31.
CB #5 Abate Brehanu. Age 23.
LB #3 HIstero Golazo. Age 27(Amazonesta).
RM #7 Melaku Tesfa. Age 27.
CM #19 Julio Leal. Age 33(Amazonesta). Captain.
CM #12 Kebede Henoke. Age 31.
LM #8 Ruphael Getachew. Age 32.
RS #11 Brendon Ediomgi. Age 32(Abaja)
LS #9 Idi Ndour. Age 31.

20. Bwubanza City Soccer Club.
Manager: Tessema Negasi. Age 61. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 3-1-3-3
GK #1 Dawit Iskinder. Age 37.
RB #14 Gedarm Tewodros. Age 32.
CB #4 David Bzuayehu. Age 30.
LB #18 Mebrete Essayas. Age 32.
CDM #21 Awash Menasse. Age 31. Captain.
RM #17 Mekdem Mesfin. Age 30.
CM #18 Amare Iskinder. Age 30.
LM #12 Basliel Berhanu. Age 31.
RW #7 Alanso Tamba. Age 19..
ST #9 Manasses Teshome. Age 24.
LW #11 Phineas Antwell. Age 20(Cosumar)

by **Banija** » Wed Nov 29, 2017 11:48 am

Herzegovina City FC make group stages of Atlantian Oceania Champions league highlight among Banijan clubs in international play

HZCFC new signing Aarón Aiza scores in debut game in Atlantian Oceania Champions Leauge Qualifier

HERZEGOVINA CITY- Of course, with the end of the season and the start of the new season, first, of course, comes international play. With this past season being a UICA qualifier season, Herzegovina City FC won the league and took the spoils as Banija's only entry into the Champions Cup, as well as our only entry into the Atlantian Oceania Champions League. Herzegovina City FC, of course, made two major purchases at the very end of the transfer window- spending $4 million NSDs on new striker Ennis Leishman, and Banijan club record $6.5 million NSDs on Equestrian wide midfielder Aarón Aiza. And boy, did it pay off.

Out of the major competitions, Banija's champions, shockingly enough, carried the day for the Banijan Soccer League. They were the only team to advance in any of the competitions that BSL teams took part in. They won their first preliminary round game in the Champions Cup, actually defeating Equestrian States club Ponyville United, by an aggregate score of 4-0, winning at Star Field 1-0 and winning across the water by a score of 3-0. Of course, they were immediately eliminated in the next preliminary round, but that is serious progress for this league.

The Globe Cup, however, did not go so well for the Banijans. Busukuma Athletic Club was quickly shown the door, losing 6-0 on aggregate and 4-0 at home in the second leg of their first round tie with Tjelberg Forening. Istria City FC actually played an exciting tie with Kirkenes FC in the same round, only to lose 6-5 on aggregate. A 2-2 draw at home put Istria City FC in a hole, but they were up on away goals when it was 3-3 late in the 2nd leg, thanks to a hat trick from young striker Assefa Yitebarke. However, Noah Geteye conceded a late penalty, and both of Banija's teams in the 1st round were quickly out.

Jinja City FC, on the other hand, got a bye to the third round thanks to previous success in the Champions Cup. They, however, did not advance. Only two rounds away from the group stages, the Taeshan City Miners dominated proceedings, as Jinja City FC lost 2-0 both at Kizza IX field and away from home. It was that lack of goals that inspired them to go out and get Lin Moon, as this team has a BSL record 7 foreign players on their roster. In the third round of the Globe Cup, where Herzegovina City FC went after their second round defeat in the Champions Cup, Herzegovina City FC could not overcome the 2-0 hole they dug for themselves in the first leg, even though they were at Star Field, and fell, 2-1 on aggregate.

The Herzegovina Phoenix, the surprise winners of the RBSA Cup, got dominated 4-0 in the first leg away from home, making the second leg merely a formality as they eked out a 1-1 draw. But Herzegovina City FC, with new signings Aaron Aiza and Ennis Leishmann, were ready for the Atlantian Oceania Champions League. While there was no hope that the BSL could win the competition in their first attempt, a measure of progress would be if the team was able to qualify for the competition proper, rather than be eliminated in the preliminary round. Banija's champs did just that, with a 2-1 aggregate win over Pasargad Manitogoro. Goals at home by Aaron Aiza and Banijan international Elias Abate proved to be the difference, as the defense held as they advanced, 2-1 on aggregate.

As expected, Herzegovina City FC did not do too much in the group stages of the competition. They got last place in group D as they finished with 1 win and 5 losses. However, they did come away with a 3-1 home victory over Mâ Âlâmëómë during the process. It is clear that Herzegovina City FC will be brimming with confidence after their successes in international club play, and that might put them in a serious position to go out and attempt to be the first team to defend their league title.

by **Banija** » Wed Nov 29, 2017 12:16 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

The Royal Banijan Soccer Association is proud to present the Banijan Soccer League to the sporting world. This is the top division of soccer in Banija, competing with gridiron football to be the nation's most popular sport. The Banijan Soccer League consists of 20 teams, the same 20 franchises from last year, that will compete in two different competitions. They compete in the Banijan Soccer League, which is a double round-robin league-style competition. The other major competition that BSL teams compete in is the RBSA Cup, which is a single-elimination knockout tournament.

Currently there is no system of promotion/relegation, as this is the only nationwide fully professional soccer league in the nation. The format followed for league play is a double round-robin. The format followed for the RBSA Cup is each round the opponents are randomly drawn against each other, with one side randomly being picked as the home side. There must be a winner in each match, which means extra time & penalties are allowed(there are no draws or replays in the RBSA Cup). The final is one match located at the Stadium of the Restoration in the national capitol of Busukuma. Breaks are given midseason to allow for the play of the RBSA Cup, and the RBSA Cup final is always held one week after the Final Day at the Stadium of the Restoration in Istria. To start the beginning of a new season, a kickoff match is played between the RBSA Cup winners and the BSL winner(or, if they are the same, the 2nd place team of the BSL) for the Kabaka's Cup, which is the Banijan Supercup and the match is always attended by the reigning Kabaka, who personally awards the trophy to the winning team.

The format for the RBSA Cup this season shall be the same as the previous season. In addition to the normal rounds(Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinal, and Final) there shall be a Preliminary Round for the RBSA Cup. The bottom 8 franchises in the previous season's BSL shall play in the preliminary round. The winners shall advance to the Round of 16. A team from the bottom 4 shall play away to a team from the next 4. There are no draws. The Round of 16 shall consist of the 4 winners and the remaining 12, who shall be randomly drawn against each other. The schedule for the RBSA Cup shall be the following:

Preliminary Round - After Week 8
Round of 16 - After Week 16
Quarterfinals - After Week 24
Semifinals - After Week 32
RBSA Cup FInal - One week after the conclusion of the Banijan Soccer League.

Teams in the BSL- Underlined players are Banijan internationals. Nationality is listed if they are not Banijan.
1. Herzegovina City Football Club. HZCFC. Location(city, region): Herzegovina City, Moravica. Colors: Blue & Gold.

2. Jinja City Football Club. JCFC. Location: Jinja City, Hangaza. Colors: Green & White.

3. Busukuma Athletic Club. BAC. Location: Busukuma, National Capitol Region. Colors: Red & White.

4. Hoima Warriors. HOI. Location: Hoima, Ankole. Colors: Red & Silver.

DEFENDING LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

5. Mynda Soccer Club. MSC. Location: Mynda, Aksum. Colors: Forest Green.

6. Umbazi Metropolitan Sporting Club. UMSC. VFC. Location: Umbazi, Buganda. Colors: Pink.

7. Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club. BRSC. Location: Dodomo, Bunyoro. Colors: Blue.

8. The Lwanga Lions. LLSC. Location: Lwanga, Buganda. Colors: Orange.

9. Askatasuna Football Club. AFC. Location: Askatasuna, Aksum. Colors: Green & White.

DEFENDING RBSA CUP CHAMPIONS

10. Kitara Athletic Association. KAA. Location: Sisonke, Kitara. Colors: Blue & white.

11. Istria City Football Club. RFC. Location: Downtown Istria, Moravica. (Neighborhood in the center of Istria in the National Capitol Region). Colors: Orange & Black.

12. Aissa United Football Club. AUFC. Location: Aissa, Hangaza. Colors: Blue & white.

13. Isipongo Flash. IF. Location: Isipongo, Buganda. Colors: Black & white.

14. Dukuma Sporting Club. DSC. Location: Dukuma, Busoga. Colors: Purple & white.

15. Rukunbi Football Club. RFC. Location: Istria, Moravica. Located in Western Istria, the largest of the 5 districts of Istria with 38% of the city's population and generally considered to be culturally distinct from the rest of the city. Colors: Light Green & White.

16. Lakiska Sporting Club. LSC. Location: Lakiska, Busoga. Colors: Red & black.

17. Busukuma Force. BKF. Location: Busukuma, National Capitol Region. Colors: Sky Blue

18. Herzegovina Phoenix. Location: Vidizi, Moravica(suburb of Herzegovina City). Colors: Purple.

19. Busembe Timberwolves. BT. Location: Busembe, Kitara. Colors: Gray, Black, and White.

20. Bwubanza City Soccer Club. BCSC. Location: Bwubanza, Bunyoro. Colors: Blue

National Stadium
The Stadium of the Restoration
(Image)
The National Stadium for a King's Cup final. Location: Busukuma. Capacity: 69,000.

Major ivalries
Istria City Derby between Istria City FC and Rukunbi FC as they are both located on opposite sides of Banija's largest city.
Battle for Hangaza's Soul between Jinja City FC and Aissa United Football Club.
Battle of the Princes between Isipongo Flash & the Lwanga Lions(as both teams are in cities named after former Princes of the Royal Family).
The Capitol City Derby between Busukuma Athletic Club and the Busukuma Force.

A 'final day' format is there for the last week of the regular season, with all games kicking off at the same time.

by **Banija** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:17 pm

Banijan Soccer League play set to begin as several players look to bring themselves forward for international contention

Right Back Kofa Toure of the Hoima Warriors, whom many expect to press for a spot on the national team for the Cup of Harmony

BUSUKUMA- With the close of World Cup Qualifying, the Banijan Soccer League season is about to begin. With Banija winning the rights to host the World Bowl XXXIV, the organizing committee have reached an agreement to have exclusive use of Banijan Soccer League stadiums throughout the knockout stages of that tournmanet. Which means, of course, a condensed schedule for league play, as they finish to leave their stadiums open for the gridiron footballers. We're going to have an exciting league season ahead of us, of course, with new additions from abroad in this league, and a league that has proven itself to be competitive. With the Kadongo Kamu make a legitimate run at getting to the World Cup Finals, though fizzling out by losing 4 of their last 5, interest in soccer is presently extremely high in the country.

What is this season about? While RBSA officials have not confirmed, it is very unlikely that this is a UICA qualification season. That will be the season following. But why is this season so important? It is the season before the Cup of Harmony. Many national team players made a positive impression under Randolf Cherry in their World Cup Qualification campaign, but obviously, the sign of a good national team is that there is great competition for spots. Randolf Cherry was just getting acclimated in his first season, but now, he'll have a chance to watch quite a few BSL games this season. What does that mean? That means that very many Banijan players will have an opportunity to impress the manager on the ptich, to try and claw their way into the national team. There are at minimum 3 spots open, with John Katumba, Matthias Muhumuza, and Alan Namara all retiring following their 1-0 loss to Buyan to close qualifying.

And, of course, you have to look even beyond that. Whose spots on the pitch are threatened? Arendse will be 35 by the time the Cup of Harmony rolls around- that's Banija's staring right back. Will he still be Banija's best option at that point? One of the backup fullbacks, Marbue Okeke, will also be 35 years of age by the time the Cup of Harmony rolls around. Assuming Banija is invited, there will be aggressive competition for those spots as Banija continues to age on the flanks. And even the starting 11 isn't set in stone. Sia Fall, the 21 year old winger, is going to be pushing Elias Abate for playing time. There is plenty of competition for Banijan spots. Even Lin Moon, the Chromatik striker who now plays for Jinja City FC, will be fighting for a spot on Chromatika's final 23.

While we'll do a full season preview of how the standings will go out, for right now, we'll do a player preview. Who are the uncapped players in the league most likely to push for a spot on the national team? Who are the new signings that will have the biggest impact on the league? We will cover that, and much more.

7 Uncapped Players Most Likely to push for a spot on the national team

Here is our list, and we'll have a short blurb about each of them.

1. RB Kofa Toure. Age 29. Hoima Warriors.
2. GK Dawit Iskinder. Age 37. Bwubanza City Soccer Club.
3. LB Ensa Camara. Age 19. Busukuma Force.
4. RW Kobina Irsay. Age 30. Bunyoro RSC.
5. ST Assefa Yitebarke. Age 22. Istria City FC.
6. CDM Elijah Riga. Age 28. Dodge City(member of the Dunnes Football League Championship)
7. CM #14 Samba Ndaw. Age 22. Hoima Warriors.

Kofa Toure
We list Kofa Toure, as he's widely seen as the outside back with the highest chance of breaking onto the national scene for the first time. AN excellent and speedy choice, he will compete with Marbue Okeke for one of the backup spots, and if he has an extremely excellent season, he might be able to pass even Arendse. That said, Randolf Cherry also might want to take a look at Berihu Abeselome, the 21 year old who increasingly looks ready to claim a starting spot on the national team. We rate his chances at actually making the national team at 45%, which is a solid chance, but we are not sure about Cherry's feelings about dropping Arendse completely from the 23.

Dawit Iskinder
He is seen as a near lock to make the national team. A lock to make the national team for the first time, at age 37? Yes, it is true. With Delbin Kasekende having a firm grip on the #1 jersey at age 28, Banija have a goalkeeper for the long-term. So adding a youth player to not get caps wouldn't do Cherry much good. Iskinder is an experienced goalkeeper, and while he would be behind both Kasekende and Talla in the depth chart, he would love to have a chance to be on the naitonal team and simply attend the tournament. We put him down as a lock, barring injury.

Ensa Camara
The chances of Camara making the national team in the future are quite high. There are only 5 teenagers in the Banijan Soccer League, and only three of them are actually Banijan. That said, Camara has plenty of talent. While he is going to play for the Force for now, he has high ambitions to play for bigger clubs, and that could come sooner, rather than later. However, would it make much sense to bring him on so soon, for the Cup of Harmony? He'll be just 20, but Idowu Kwandani will be well ahead of him in the depth chart. He'll get the chance to practice with the team, but what does that matter if you can't play in games? We rate his chances at making the national team at 15%. It's certainly worth a look, but it's unlikely he'll get the call up for this tournament.

Kobina Irsay
There are plenty of talented wingers in Banija, looking to take Katumba's spot on the national team. While the starting spot opposite Afolayan seems likely to be Fall or Abate, but that last backup spot is up for grabs. Cherry is more likely to look for a veteran at this spot- Abate is 27, Fall is 21, and Afolayan is 24. They have plenty of youth at the position, and putting in an older player gives him the added benefit of being able to bring up a younger player more quickly down the line, as he will retire sooner. Irsay would fit that match perfectly, and he is the frontrunner, though he will be pushed by others. We rate his chances of being called up at 70%.

Assefa Yitebarke
Muhumuza is only 29, but he has retired from the national team. While having a few good years left, Muhumuza has grown frustrated with the national team, and prefers the club game. He has played at this level for many years, and has scored plenty of goals. There are a very many strikers in the league pushing for a spot, but the leader is Yitebarke. Only 22 years old, he played in UICA competition this summer, which gives him a head start. We rate his chances at 30%. Not entirely great, as many players will be competing, but he has a slight edge for right now.

Elijah Riga
He doesn't even play in the BSL, right? Why is he in this preview? Well, he is an excellent talent, and moved abroad in search of a better opportunity to make a name for himself, and appeal to Randolf Cherry. He is in the prime of his career, and could easily push somebody like Boimah Ba. Randolf Cherry is impressed with his dedication, and was said to be impressed that he wanted to move all that way to get a spot on the national team. We'll see if it works. Right now, we'll rate his chances at 33%. Not terrible chances, but if the manager has his eye on you, he can't be ignored.

Samba Ndaw
The 22 year old central midfielder is competing for a spot on the national team. Does he have a chance? The prospects for him seem to be biological. At only 22, he would be younger than Banija's other domestic-based central midfielders. John Tewedros is 30, Boimah Ba 30, Flomo Osei 31. Could he take one of their spots? Those 3 aren't exactly old yet, but Cherry will have to look for a new partner in the midfield with Georgadis eventually. But is this the time? There are more talented players ahead of him, and he has plenty of time to develop. We rate his chances at 15%. Not great, but depending on what Cherry is looking for, ti is quite possible. He has plenty of potential to eventually be playing there in the future.

The Two Most Important Offseason Acquistions

Is this really a question? Lin Moon and Aaron Aiza, are easily the two most important acquisitions for the upcoming BSL season. Both players are stars, and are playing for big name clubs. Jinja City FC and Herzegovina City FC both looked abroad for their chances to bring in talent, and succeeded. Moon will be on the most international side of the Banijan Soccer League in Jinja City, as a shocking 8 members of their starting 11 are foreigners. Aaron Aiza, on the other hand, will join the defending champs, HZCFC. Aiza will form a great outside midfielder combination with Abate, and will be at the heart of the team's effort to try and defend their trophy. Both will look to make an impact for their new teams immediately, and we'll see how exactly both players are used to get the most out of their talents once league play gets going.

by **Banija** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:21 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

8 weeks in; Phoenix surprising while Hoima Warriors have stunning fall

Kabaka's Cup

Kabaka's Cup
Herzegovina City FC 2–3 Herzegovina Phoenix- Phoenix are champions of the Kabaka's Cup

RBSA Cup- Preliminary Round

RBSA Cup - 1st Round
Aissa United FC 3–1 Lwanga Lions
Bunyoro RSC 3–2 Lakiska SC
Busukuma Force 0–0 Umbazi Metropolitan SC (0–0 AET) (6–5 pen.)
Rukunbi FC 1–0 Dukuma SC

*Note that Herzegovina Phoenix should have played in this round, as they finished in the Bottom 8 in the league. However, as title holders, they got a bye from this round and the 12th place team took their place.

Standings after Matchday 8

Banijan Soccer League          Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Jinja City FC                8    6   2   0    24    8  +16    20
 2 Busukuma Athletic Club       8    6   1   1    20    8  +12    19
 3 Herzegovina Phoenix          8    6   1   1    19   14   +5    19
 4 Istria City FC               8    5   2   1    18   10   +8    17
 5 Herzegovina City FC          8    5   1   2    18    9   +9    16
 6 Bunyoro RSC                  8    5   1   2    16   13   +3    16
 7 Rukunbi FC                   8    4   1   3     9    8   +1    13
 8 Aissa United FC              8    4   1   3    14   17   −3    13
 9 Isipongo Flash               8    3   3   2    12   12    0    12
10 Dukuma SC                    8    3   2   3    10   13   −3    11
11 Kitara AA                    8    2   2   4    14   16   −2     8
12 Busukuma Force               8    2   2   4    19   28   −9     8
13 Askatasuna FC                8    2   2   4    11   21  −10     8
14 Hoima Warriors               8    2   1   5    12   14   −2     7
15 Umbazi Metropolitan SC       8    1   4   3    13   16   −3     7
16 Bwubanza City SC             8    2   1   5    11   15   −4     7
17 Busembe Timberwolves         8    2   0   6    16   18   −2     6
18 Mynda SC                     8    1   3   4     9   13   −4     6
19 Lakiska SC                   8    2   0   6    11   19   −8     6
20 Lwanga Lions                 8    1   2   5     9   13   −4     5

There are 30 games left in league play, and the entirety of the RBSA Cup. That said, there are some things that are not surprising at all, and some things that are downright stunning from the first 8 games of league play.

1. Hoima Warriors were last after 7 games?
After finishing in a very disappointing 8th place last season, Hoima Warriors were supposed to find their groove this season. They went out onto the international market, and found former Baptism of Fire 61 champion, Orlando Juarez, to bring some step and fire to this team. They were Banija's biggest club, and deserved to be back in the top 4. This season has been an absolute disaster. After 7 games, the giants had 4 points and were all the way down in last place. Orlando Juarez was let go after just 7 games. That means his final record(W-L-T) was 1-7-2, with losing both legs of his tie against Vilitian Cove International champs Argos, and then starting this season with just 1 win and 5 losses from their first seven.

The expectation are always higher in Hoima, so his Banijan managing career came to a quick close. Interim manager Jose Rese managed the team to a week 8 victory, but they look to have a new manager in place by Matchday 9. Still, this start means that Hoima almost assuredly will not get hands on league silverware once again this year, another disappointing result for the club's fans.

2. Herzegovina Phoenix- are they for real?

Last season they finished 16th in league play. In the bottom quarter of the table, they were in a place that nobody wanted to be in. However, they had a brilliant cup run last season, and won the RBSA Cup. They were dominated in the Cup Winners Cup, quickly going out 5-1 on aggregate, so most people thought that they had simply some good fortune in that cup run. But they are making a real run for it, a point out of first place. While it is way too early to start talking about final positioning, they will be looking to vault themselves up the table from their last 16th place finish, and get to the top half of the table. That in and of itself would be an impressive feat for a team with extremely low expectations this season.

3. New signings are contributing
It was expected for Banija's major foreign signings to make an impact, and they have. Aiza, the Equestrian for HZCFC, is having an excellent start to the season. Lin Moon is in Jinja City FC, and leads the attack that averages 3 goals per game. Outside of the Hoima Warriors, BSL managers have done a lot to integrate their new signings quickly, and the efforts are paying dividends. We'll see if they can continue to mesh throughout the grind of a 38 game domestic season.

by **Banija** » Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:44 am

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

16 weeks in; Big Clubs advance in the RBSA Cup while Hoima Warriors plow ahead with former national team manager Jan Cassallerus

RBSA Cup- 1st Round

RBSA Cup - 1st Round
Jinja City FC 2–2 Askatasuna FC (4–2 AET)
Hoima Warriors 3–1 Bunyoro RSC
Aissa United FC 0–2 Istria City FC
Herzegovina City FC 4–2 Busembe Timberwolves
Busukuma Athletic Club 4–0 Rukunbi FC
Herzegovina Phoenix 4–3 Busukuma Force
Mynda SC 1–2 Kitara AA
Isipongo Flash 1–0 Bwubanza City SC

Standings after Matchday 16

Banijan Soccer League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Busukuma Athletic Club      16   11   4   1    36   14  +22    37
 2 Herzegovina City FC         16   11   1   4    44   22  +22    34
 3 Istria City FC              16   10   3   3    30   18  +12    33
 4 Herzegovina Phoenix         16   10   3   3    31   21  +10    33
 5 Jinja City FC               16    8   5   3    36   21  +15    29
 6 Isipongo Flash              16    7   4   5    22   21   +1    25
 7 Hoima Warriors              16    7   3   6    33   28   +5    24
 8 Bunyoro RSC                 16    6   5   5    29   29    0    23
 9 Aissa United FC             16    6   5   5    25   28   −3    23
10 Rukunbi FC                  16    6   3   7    20   25   −5    21
11 Bwubanza City SC            16    5   5   6    30   31   −1    20
12 Umbazi Metropolitan SC      16    4   7   5    27   28   −1    19
13 Mynda SC                    16    5   4   7    24   26   −2    19
14 Busukuma Force              16    5   4   7    29   36   −7    19
15 Busembe Timberwolves        16    5   2   9    30   35   −5    17
16 Askatasuna FC               16    4   5   7    24   37  −13    17
17 Kitara AA                   16    4   4   8    27   34   −7    16
18 Dukuma SC                   16    4   3   9    15   24   −9    15
19 Lakiska SC                  16    3   1  12    19   39  −20    10
20 Lwanga Lions                16    2   3  11    20   34  −14     9

We are 16 games into league play. We are nearing the midway point in the season, and after the wild start to the season, things are starting to settle down. We are seeing the legitimate title contenders start to separate themselves from the pack, with plenty of time left for anybody to go on a string of wins and all of a sudden take the initiative within the division. What have we learned so far?

1. RBSA Cup- lack of upsets will lead to an exciting finish
Knockout cup competitions are generally entertaining because of the opportunity that they provide for upsets. Teams from the bottom of the table, in one game, can beat a team at the top of the table. Herzegovina Phoenix showed it last season- they finished 16th in the league, but they won 5 games in a row in the RBSA Cup and ended up winning the entire tournament. They've also used that to jump start themselves, as they have had some shocking success in the league so far.

This season, however, who is going to be our shock team that makes a huge cup run? Unfortunately, there is nobody who is going to make a massive cup run who is unsurprising. However, that will make for an exciting finish. In the preliminary round, all 4 seeded sides took care of business and won their games. And then, in this stage, the favorites took care of business as well. Jinja City FC needed extra time, but they took care of business. Hoima, Istria City, both Herzegovina sides, and Busukuma AC all took care of business. 5 of those clubs were expected to compete for a league title this season, and the sixth(Herzegovina Phoenix) are the defending champs. Even the Isipongo Flash won, making 7 of the 8 sides that won their games this weekend currently in the top 7 of the league standings. The only bottom of the table side that won, Kitara AA, beat another team from the bottom half of the table, Mynda SC. That means, of course, we'll expect quality and hard fought games from this point forward, as every single team, outside of Kitara, has a legitimate chance of winning this tournament.

2. The Title Race is still wide open.

The capitol club is currently three points clear, but with only 16 games played, there is still a ton of time for teams to make a run. They pace the league with 37 points, but Herzegovina City FC has 34 points, while Istria City FC and the Phoenix both have 33 points. Jinja City FC, of course, is 5th with 29 points. All of those teams are in the thick of the title race. Even the Hoima Warriors, after being in last place after Matchday 7, are climbing their way up the table with Jan Cassallerus at the helm.

We imagine that the lead will change hands many times throughout the long grind of the league season. Who doesn't want to win a league title? So far, the teams that have won a league title are the Hoima Warriors, Herzegovina City FC, and Jinja City FC. The capitol club wants to be the first team to do it from Busukuma, while Istria City FC surely wants to do it as well. Banijan fans should sit back and enjoy this one, as it looks like it will be a fight to the finish this season.

3. Jan Cassallerus has rescued the Warriors
5 wins, 2 draws, and one loss. Through 8 games, that is the record of the former national team manager at the helm of the Hoima Warriors.
They had to quickly fire Orlando Juarez after his disastrous start to the season, and they did not have much time to find anybody. Jan Cassallerus only has a one year contract, so we are not sure if he will be the coach of this team going forward, in the long-term. However,
he is here now, and he is doing well.

He has 5 wins in 8 games, and has only lost once. They are in 7th place, and while still a ways away from being seriously talked about in title contention, if they continue current form, the Warriors could be a dark horse for finishing in the top 4, or even coming away with a trophy. His side had an emphatic 3-1 home victory over Bunyoro RSC in cup play, as well as an impressive 3-2 away victory over the 4th place Phoenix on matchday 12. He has caused the team to find their groove.

by **Banija** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:23 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

24 weeks in; Herzegovina City FC hold a slim lead atop the BSL standings

RBSA Cup- Quarterfinals

RBSA Cup - Quarterfinals
Busukuma Athletic Club 4–3 Hoima Warriors
Kitara AA 1–1 Istria City FC (2–2 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Jinja City FC 2–1 Herzegovina Phoenix
Isipongo Flash 0–3 Herzegovina City FC

Standings after Matchday 24

Banijan Soccer League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Herzegovina City FC         24   18   2   4    69   25  +44    56
 2 Istria City FC              24   16   4   4    56   28  +28    52
 3 Busukuma Athletic Club      24   15   7   2    50   23  +27    52
 4 Jinja City FC               24   14   6   4    56   31  +25    48
 5 Bunyoro RSC                 24   11   7   6    47   39   +8    40
 6 Hoima Warriors              24   11   6   7    53   40  +13    39
 7 Isipongo Flash              24    9  10   5    35   32   +3    37
 8 Herzegovina Phoenix         24   11   3  10    39   40   −1    36
 9 Aissa United FC             24   10   6   8    37   43   −6    36
10 Umbazi Metropolitan SC      24    7  11   6    38   36   +2    32
11 Rukunbi FC                  24    9   5  10    33   40   −7    32
12 Bwubanza City SC            24    8   6  10    40   47   −7    30
13 Askatasuna FC               24    7   8   9    40   50  −10    29
14 Busembe Timberwolves        24    7   6  11    36   41   −5    27
15 Kitara AA                   24    7   6  11    44   53   −9    27
16 Busukuma Force              24    6   6  12    35   50  −15    24
17 Lakiska SC                  24    7   1  16    37   62  −25    22
18 Mynda SC                    24    5   5  14    33   52  −19    20
19 Dukuma SC                   24    4   3  17    24   45  −21    15
20 Lwanga Lions                24    2   4  18    31   56  −25    10

We are now deep into what they call the business end of the Banijan Soccer League. The second half of league play has begun, and we are now 60% of the way through league play. We have our four semifinalists for the RBSA Cup as well, as that competition finds itself winding down as well.

1. RBSA Cup- Close quarterfinals live up to hype in exciting set of matches
We predicted that the RBSA Cup would be exciting for the later rounds, and boy, were we right. We were treated to three exciting nailbiters, as well as the Herzegovina City FC 3-0 shellacking of the Isipongo Flash away from home. That game was simple- first half goals from Aarón Aiza, Elias Abate, and Jackson Oglobelo made quick work of the Isipongo City Field side. But the other three games were exciting nailbiters. Busukuma AC played a back and forth game with the Hoima Warriors. Ultimately, Saah Desta, who is top 5 all-time in scoring for the Kadongo Kamu, scored a stoppage time winner for the hosts in this 4-3 thriller. Abajan Teenager Ahmad Abdullah scored twice for the capitol club, with Toyuwa Sall also finding the back of the net. 21 year old Andrey Soltykov had a brace for the visitors, with Cosumarite center back Wenceslaw also scoring.

The other two quarterfinals were just as exciting. Istria City and Kitara AA played battled it out to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, necesitating an extra half hour. A 99th minute goal by 23 year old ICFC defender Noah Geteye was cancelled out by an 108th minute goal from Audioslavian midfielder Thomas Owen, who is all of 21 years old. In penalties, Gabriel Negus stopped the 1st and 3rd Kitara efforts to put his team through to the semifinals. And, finally, Jinja City FC eliminated the defending RBSA Cup champs, with first half goals from Lin Moon and Noah Lamont Hill allowing them to cruise to a 2-1 victory.

The four semifinalists are Istria City FC, Jinja City FC, Herzegovina City FC, and Busukuma AC. The largest clubs from four of Banija's five largest cities. They expect to be a ratings bonanza- while we don't know the draws, those teams are all big draws in this country. And, of course, we reiterate our point from after the Round of 16 about exciting matchups. All 4 semifinalists are currently occupying a top 4 slot in the league, and are favored to hold onto that spot. Which means, of course, these semifinals will be that much closer and that much more intense.

2. Can Herzegovina City FC repeat?

This is a young league. That said, Herzegovina City FC wants to become the first team to repeat with the Banijan Soccer League championship. And while many did not expect them to win it all last season, even fewer expected them to be able to retain the title. This was not a team, people said, that could repeat it. They began to win over some doubters when they had some decent amounts of success in international play, advancing in one round of the Champions Cup, as well as qualifying directly for the group stages of the Atlantian Oceania Champions League.

That said, this team just seems to keep getting better. Of course, superstar signing Aarón Aiza, the right midfielder and the unquestioned best midfielder on this tea, made them a much better team and a much more formidable opponent to go out and try to win this thing. Especially since he is lined up across from Elias Abate- the defending champs are a team that simply destroys teams on the wide flanks. They are a team that is playing motivated, which is always hard to do the year after you've won a title. They will, however, have other teams have quite a go at it.

Istria City FC and Busukuma AC are right behind the pace setters, at 52 points each, with Jinja City FC right behind them at 48. They will all be chasing, especially Istria and Busukuma, who are still looking for their first league title. It should make for an exciting sprint to the finish line.

3. Are the top 4 running away from everybody?
Herzegovina City FC, Jinja City FC, Istria City FC, and Busukuma AC, were last season's top 4, in that order. Of course, that was much closer, and with a UICA spot on the line, the capitol club finished ahead of Askatasuna FC on goal difference, +20 as compared to +11. This season, while there's plenty of time for that gap to be closed, there is currently an 8 point gap between 4th place Jinja City FC and 5th place Bunyoro RSC.

The Hoima Warriors were expected to bounce back and make a run at the title, but after such an absymal start, they had almost no chance to mount a serious title challenge, and while they are back in 6th place, in the upper echelons of the table, they are not where they expect to be. It leaves the current top 4 stronger than ever, and will be in a better position in the upcoming transfer markets to woo players over to their respective sides. Will they create a gap amongst themselves that Banijans, including Hoima, won't be able to catch? It's too early to tell if this will be a consistent gap that can carry on season after season, but that is certainly a real possibility.

by **Banija** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:38 am

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

No margin for error for the top 4 with only 6 games remaining

RBSA Cup- Semifinals

RBSA Cup - Semifinals
Busukuma Athletic Club 1–3 Istria City FC
Herzegovina City FC 1–2 Jinja City FC

Standings after Matchday 32

Banijan Soccer League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Herzegovina City FC         32   21   6   5    85   36  +49    69
 2 Jinja City FC               32   20   8   4    72   34  +38    68
 3 Busukuma Athletic Club      32   20   8   4    62   28  +34    68
 4 Istria City FC              32   20   7   5    66   34  +32    67
 5 Hoima Warriors              32   16   8   8    67   46  +21    56
 6 Isipongo Flash              32   14  12   6    57   46  +11    54
 7 Herzegovina Phoenix         32   16   4  12    50   46   +4    52
 8 Bunyoro RSC                 32   13  10   9    56   48   +8    49
 9 Askatasuna FC               32   10  13   9    52   57   −5    43
10 Bwubanza City SC            32   11   8  13    49   56   −7    41
11 Aissa United FC             32   11   8  13    47   59  −12    41
12 Umbazi Metropolitan SC      32    7  16   9    46   49   −3    37
13 Kitara AA                   32   10   7  15    55   65  −10    37
14 Busembe Timberwolves        32    9   9  14    45   53   −8    36
15 Rukunbi FC                  32    9   9  14    47   59  −12    36
16 Mynda SC                    32    8   6  18    44   65  −21    30
17 Busukuma Force              32    7   9  16    42   64  −22    30
18 Lakiska SC                  32    9   2  21    47   83  −36    29
19 Dukuma SC                   32    6   4  22    33   62  −29    22
20 Lwanga Lions                32    3   6  23    38   70  −32    15

We are nearing the end of the season, and we have what is likely to be a photo finish at the end of the season, with just two points separating the first place Herzegovina City FC and 4th place Istria City FC, it's anybody's guess who is going to walk away with the league title at this point. Here are our 3 observations at this point in time.

1. RBSA Cup- Semifinal dominance leads to tantilizing matchup in the Cup Final
While the derby has always been the most important matchup for Istria City FC, there has always been the need for a better rivalry from that side. Even though that is the matchup that has been played the most times in Banijan history, Istria City FC v. Rukunbi FC, there are possibilities for them to the east. Jinja Ctiy FC has a natural rivalry, with Aissa, but the talent gap makes it less appealing on a national level.

There may be one developing with the rise of Istria City FC over the past two seasons. They are Banija's two largest cities, and two of Banija's three oldest cities(the singular oldest city is Herzegovina City). And, of course, there is always the ethnic factor, as the majority Kisanke dominate the Istria area, while ethnic minorities generally populate the Hangaza region. Throw in the fact that you have a major port(Istria) and an inland city(Jinja City), and it makes for possibilities. And now that the talent equates, there is real possibility.

They will meet at the Stadium of the Restoration in 7 weeks time for the RBSA Cup Final, after both achieved away wins in the semifinal. Can this rivalry develop? They are both two teams in the North, with Istria in the west and Jinja City in the East. Who will win? Can Jinja City pull it off, or can Istria City FC pull off their first ever RBSA Cup trophy? We'll simply have to wait and see.

2. The Hoima Warriors will be fine next season

The Hoima Warriors had a disastrous start to the season, getting just 4 points from their first 7 games before they had to fire BoF 61 winner Orlando Juarez. With Jan Cassallerus at the helm, however, they have been able to steady the ship. Since he was hired, they have been able to steer the ship towards normalcy, keeping pace with the top 4 since that time. They've gotten 52 points since they fired Orlando Juarez, and over the same period of time, Jinja City FC has earned 51, HZCFC has earned 54, Istria City FC 53, and Busukuma AC has earned 52. While their slow start to the season ended any title hopes for the Warriors before they even began, they will like to finish the season strong, in 5th place, to take momentum into next season's effort to crack the top 4.

Jan Cassallerus has reinvigorated the side, and has inspired both the player and the fanbase. They believe in what he is doing, and they believe that they can do what they feel they have a right to do- compete for a league championship. Banija's biggest club will have an opportunity to add to their trophy cabinet in season 5, and they should be able to bring into the top 4 with relative ease.

3. The top 4 are in a league of their own- but between them it's anybody's game
Herzegovina City FC, Jinja City FC, Istria City FC, and Busukuma AC, were last season's top 4, in that order. And, barring a collapse of historic proportions for any of those four franchises, they will all again be in this season's top 4. There is an eleven point gap between fourth place Istria City FC and 5th place Hoima Warriors, and with so few games left in the season, I do not believe there is any reason to think that the Hoima Warriors can catch any of the teams ahead of them.

That said, we are heading towards an exciting finish at the finish line. Herzegovina City FC sits with 69 points, with Busukuma AC & Jinja City FC a single point behind, both with 68. Istria City FC, of course, sits with 67. Herzegovina City FC, with a dominant goal difference of +49, seems to be leading the way on that tiebreaker front, which means any of those behind them must take that mantle. It's so close right now, however, that even a single draw over the next six games for Herzegovina City FC could mean the difference between the league title and fourth place. The margin for error for these clubs is extremely thin.

Interestingly enough, there is only one match left between two sides in the top 4. On matchday 33, Istria City FC will host Busukuma AC at Kabonero IIi Field in a massive game. A draw would be a setback for both at this late stage, but a win for either side would be a huge leap forward. Other than that, it will be a race to the finish line. There are still plenty of other tough games- the Herzegovina Derby will be played, for example, alongside teams who have matchups with Hoima.

Regardless, it looks quite possible that this season could finish with a sprint towards the final day, with the league yet to be decided as we enter that final Sunday, when all 10 games will kick off at the same time. Regardless of how it turns out, it promises to be a fun one for both fans and neutrals to keep their eyes upon until the very end.

by **Banija** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:45 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 4

Herzegovina City FC win second straight league title while Jinja City FC take home the RBSA Cup

RBSA Cup- Final

RBSA Cup - Final
Istria City FC 2–3 Jinja City FC - Jinja City are champions of the RBSA Cup

Final League Standings

Banijan Soccer League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Herzegovina City FC         38   27   6   5   108   41  +67    87  LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
 2 Jinja City FC               38   26   8   4    86   39  +47    86
 3 Busukuma Athletic Club      38   24   9   5    71   33  +38    81
 4 Istria City FC              38   21  11   6    72   39  +33    74
 5 Hoima Warriors              38   19   9  10    79   58  +21    66
 6 Herzegovina Phoenix         38   19   4  15    60   59   +1    61
 7 Bunyoro RSC                 38   16  12  10    69   58  +11    60
 8 Isipongo Flash              38   16  12  10    64   54  +10    60
 9 Askatasuna FC               38   13  14  11    60   64   −4    53
10 Kitara AA                   38   14   8  16    67   75   −8    50
11 Aissa United FC             38   13   9  16    54   68  −14    48
12 Bwubanza City SC            38   11  11  16    57   69  −12    44
13 Busembe Timberwolves        38   10  12  16    49   60  −11    42
14 Umbazi Metropolitan SC      38    7  18  13    51   58   −7    39
15 Rukunbi FC                  38    9  12  17    52   67  −15    39
16 Mynda SC                    38   10   9  19    53   74  −21    39
17 Lakiska SC                  38   11   2  25    58   94  −36    35
18 Busukuma Force              38    8  10  20    49   77  −28    34
19 Dukuma SC                   38    8   6  24    40   71  −31    30
20 Lwanga Lions                38    3   8  27    47   88  −41    17

We have finally reached the end of season 4. We have learned a lot this season- lessons to follow, of course- but the quick summary is this. Herzegovina City FC and Jinja City FC both raced to the final day, with each team winning their final 6 games in league play. However, Herzegovina City FC, a team that scored a whopping 108 goals over the course of the season, had one more point earned over the course of play, and have now officially won the title in back-to-back seasons, the first team to ever repeat in this young league. Jinja City FC, of course, won the RBSA Cup. Anyways...

1. RBSA Cup- Jinja City FC can handle the pressure
The pressure was on Jinja City FC. They had a tough, grind it out 1-0 away victory over the Isipongo Flash that was both physically and emotionally exhausting, as they raced for the league title step for step all the way to and through the final day of league play. This was a tired team, both physically and emotionally, and having been drained not winning the league title, they then had to show up a week later and play in the RBSA Cup Final in the Stadium of the Restoration.

Did they show up? Absolutely. A brace by Noah Lamont HIll accounted for 2 of Jinja City's goals and gave them a 2-0 lead at halftime. However, Assefa Yitebarke and Girma Asmelash both scored to draw the game level at two for Istria City FC. That said, a 77th minute head for Chromatik striker Lin Moon proved to be the winner for Jinja City FC and allowed them to lift the cup. The team, off of an excellent campaign where they won 26 league games, took home their first ever RBSA Cup. A good way to end a good season- with a trophy. This team, however, will be even more hungry for the league title.

2. Herzegovina City FC are worthy champions

Winning a league championship is generally deemed to be the toughest type of competition to win. Especially here in Banija, where the closed shop status of the Banijan Soccer League ensures that everybody knows each other well, as everybody is playing everybody twice on an annual basis, and sometimes more often than that when you bring in RBSA Cup play. Herzegovina City FC weren't sneaking up on anybody like they did last year either. They were the defending champs, and they signed players like Aarón Aiza of the Equestrian States.

They had an extremely tough road to win this title. With six games left, there was only 2 points seperating them and fourth place. They technically controlled their own destiny, but they had to be perfect. And considering at this point, they had two losses in a row- the 1-0 away loss to Askatasuna FC and the 2-1 home loss to Jinja City FC in the RBSA Cup, people though Jinja City FC would overtake them. But that did not happen. Even with Jinja City nipping at their heels the entire time, all they did was rally and put together a 6 game winning streak to finish the season. When the pressure was at its greatest, they played their best, and did not drop a single point after their loss to Jinja City FC.

3. Shocking Elias Abate injury opens up winger spots for the Kadongo Kamu
Randolf Cherry has said a couple of times that the Cup of Harmony roster is almost ready. With the RBSA officially accepting the invite to travel to Ethane/Qasden for the tournament, Randolf cherry has been working non-stop, going to at least one game every weekend since Matchday 24, when he flew to Dunnes to watch Elijah Riga. While he has not commented on individual players, saying that he will only comment 'on those who are part of the final 23', this injury is a game changer.

On the final matchday, with Herzegovina City FC up 3-0 away from home, national team starting midfielder Elias Abate simply came up holding his right leg, his dominant leg, and could not continue. It was a shocking injury- did he simply pull his hamstring? Get a cramp? It was neither. Elias Abate had torn his muscle in his hamstring, which doctors estimate will take 6-9 weeks to recover. And with the timetable of the Cup of Harmony fast approaching, that also means this- he will not partake in the Cup of Harmony. It is a tragic injury for a player that showed so much promise, and that Cherry showed so much trust during Qualifying, as he started over 15 games during this past qualification cycle.

Of course, the philosophy is next man up, but let's not kid ourselves- Abate is a huge loss for the Kadongo Kamu. While team doctors are confident he'll make a full recovery for next season, other players are now going to be re-evaluated, who hadn't had much pressure upon them before. Players like Baslios Temesgen of the Phoenix, and Ansu Cisse of Busukuma AC, after having nice seasons, are suddenly going to considered for spots on the national team. Sia Fall, as well, will be trying to take advantage.

This season will have an impact on the final 23- those couple of spots from retirees, plus certain players overtaking players who participated in qualifying last summer. All we can do, at this point, is guess. We'll see how Randolf Cherry rounds out his final 23 in light of this most recent news.

4. Dukuma SC- For Sale?

Dukuma SC has had a sad history in the Banijan Soccer League. It is a franchise that has quickly turned into the laughingstock of the league. They finished in dead last in seasons 1 and 2, and then in season 3, they finished 18th out of 20. And in season 4, they are in 19th out of 20. That means, in all 4 iterations of the Banijan Soccer League so far, if Banija had promotion/relegation, as is common in so many leagues throughout the multiverse, Dukuma SC would be tumbling down the pyramid.

While they won't be relegated, Dukuma SC needs to get it together. Why do they have such an atrocious record of mediocrity? They've lost 96 league games over the last 4 seasons, easily the worst in the BSL. They are one of two league sides(along with Lwanga Lions) to have never won a RBSA Cup game. They cannot do this forever. And indeed, this tea is rumored to be for sale by the ownership group, the Museveni brothers. We imagine that a team like this will need some rich, foreign owners who can invest money into this club, to bring it at least some kind of respectability, rather than being known as the worst team in Banija.

by **Banija** » Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:11 pm

RBSA to create formal Banijan soccer pyramid with integration of major regional leagues

BSL Commissioner Jonah Vanston

BUSUKUMA- THe Royal Banijan Soccer Assocition, in conjunction with the Banijan Soccer League, have officially decided to integrate Banija's regional associations and create a formal Banijan soccer pyramid. While they were very explicit in that this does not, in any way, endorse promotion/relegation, it is a decision that is seen to help develop lower league soccer within the country, and give more teams an opportunity to compete for trophies like the RBSA Cup.

"The Banijan Soccer League is happy to work with the Royal Banijan Soccer Association to create a formal Banijan soccer pyramid." Said BSL Commissioner Jonah Vanston. "This took a long time, and it took a lot of work from this league, as well as working alongside the RBSA and the regional leagues. This is a system that the Banijan Soccer League is happy with. We will use this decision to allow the BSL to help develop and grow the sport across the country, and develop the talent that we have within this country. This is beneficial for the league and its clubs, and for soccer as a whole in Banija."

Then, of course, RBSA Chairman Adama Sowe began to speak. "This is something that we have been looking at for quite a while, and we believe that we have developed an excellent system where this could thrive. Of course, we have multitudes of semi-professional teams playing, in adult leagues. Why can't we integrate them into the pyramid? We will develop the talent further in Banija, raise the bar of play in the BSL by giving them a wider talent pool, and make it more exciting."

"Of course, we cannot implement promotion/relegation as it is now. That would devalue the investments of the owners, and frankly, all 20 clubs are fully professional, while the clubs we are integrating are not. As well, those smaller clubs would not be able to play in a league on a national basis. And we are not making a national second division in order to cut down on travel costs, and maintain those local rivalries that these smaller clubs thrive upon so much.

We are using the four major regional leagues- The Northwestern League, the Lower Coastal League, the Northern League, and the Southern League- to form our Division 2. They already operate on a basis as the next best leagues- they will still be independent leagues, but officially in the pyramid. Which means all of their teams will be eligible. They will still remain, separate, independent leagues- so they will be four parallel division 2 sanctioned leagues, rather than one league with four divisions. They will keep their independence, they will enter into the RBSA Cup, and will enhance the stature of their leagues."

The Serie B Championship qualifications will be interesting. The RBSA is looking into reforming how they choose their teams, now that there are two seasons between UICA tournaments, though any format change for the other tournaments will have to be for Champions Cup 71 cycle. This new format will take that into account. The champions from this season and next season in this league will play a two-legged playoff to represent their league in the Banijan Serie B Champions Cup tournament. The teams will be randomly drawn into a pair of two-legged playoffs. Each playoff winner will enter the Serie B Champions Cup, while the two losers will play for the final spot in one game at the Stadium of the Restoration.

Many observers applauded the move, saying that it will help the regional leagues gain relevance, and that it will help support the growth of the sport in the region. The regional leagues are also very supportive. These regional league clubs, of course, are all fan owned, 50% + 1, and they are very supportive. Promotion/relegation was not on the cards, and it is not expected to be considered for the foreseeable future.

by **Banija** » Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:22 pm

Banija's Regional Soccer Leagues - Membership

The Northwestern League
Regions- Moravica & Busoga
1. AFC Kosactus. AFCK. Location: Kosactus, Moravica. Color: Red.

2. Taramazna United. TMU. Location: Taramazna, Moravica. Color: Blue.

3. Eastern Moravica Football Club. EMFC. Location: Iziarad, Moravica. Color: Scarlet.

4. Jaribga Soccer Club. JSC. Location: Jaribga, Busoga. Color: Blue.

5. Tezirbu Foxes. TZF. Location: Tezirbu, Busoga. Color: Green.

6. Slobochia Bears. SBB. Location: Slobochia, Moravica. Color: Purple.

7. Koszagard City. KZC. Location: Koszagard, Moravica. Color: Orange.

8. Barmos United. BU. Loction: Barmos, Moravica. Color: Green.

9. Corizova United FC. CUFC. Location: Corizova, Moravica. Color: Gold.

10. Suwawa FC. SFC. Location: Suwawa, Moravica. Color: Green.

11. Tripoli Foresters. TRI. Location: Tripoli, Busoga. Color: Green.

12. Nezrouch Rovers. NR. Location: Nezrouch, Busoga. Color: Blue.

THe Lower Coastal League
Regions: Ankole, Kitara, National Capitol Region
1. Kwadama Dojo. KWD. Location: Kwadama, Ankole. Colors: Red.

2. Kabakono City. KBC. Location: Kabakona, Kitara. Colors: Blue.

3. Nsade United. NDU. Location: Nsade, Ankole. Colors: Blue.

4. AFC Akwadua. AKW. Location: Akwadua, Kitara. Colors: Blue.

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5. Dimbogourou Sporting Club. DSC. Location: Dimbogourou, Ankole. Colors: Purple.

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6. Kiala Athletic Society. KAS. Location: Kiala, Kitara. Colors: Pink.

7. Zakuta City. ZKC. Location: Zakuta, Ankole. Colors: Green.

8. Dioro Athletic. DJA. Location: Djoro, Kitara. Colors: Green.

9. Baleweye Football Club. BFC. Location: Baleweye, Ankole. Colors: Turquoise.

10. Mamari City. MMC. Loction: Mamari, Kitara. Colors: Blue.

11. Ogbordu Diamond Football Club. ODFC. Location: Hoima, Ankole. Colors: Orange.

12. Capitol City Football Club. CCFC. Location: Busukuma, National Capitol region(coterminous borders). Colors: Blue.

Northern League
Regions: Hangaza & Aksum
1. Igulu City Football Club. ICFC. Location: Igulu, Hangaza. Colors: Blue.

2. Luguyala Patriots. LGY. Location: Luguyala, Aksum. Colors: Red.

3. Nanami Dragons. NNI. Location: Jinja City, Hangaza. Colors: Orange.

4. Selekawe Knights. KNT. Location: Jinja City, Hangaza. Colors: Blue.

5. Garixas City. GXC. Location: Garixas, Hangaza. Colors: Blue.

6. Thayaferu United. TYF. Location: Thayaferu, Aksum. Colors: Pink.

7. Okakameb City. OKB. Location: Okakameb, Hangaza. Colors: Orange.

8. AFC Okahavi. OKH. Location: Okahavi, Aksum. Colors: Red.

9. Duntho Sporting Club. DSC. Loction: Duntho, Hangaza. Colors: Green.

10. Cerenus United. CNU. Location: Cerenus, Aksum. Colors: Pink.

11. Gadive City. GDC. Location: Gadive City, Hangaza. Colors: Red.

12. Koksho City. KSH. Location: Koksho, Aksum. Colors: Green.

Southern League
Regions: Buganda & Bunyoro
1. Umbazi Footballers Association. UFA. Location: Umbazi, Buganda. Colors: Red.

2. Dodoma City Sporting Club. DCSC. Location: Dodoma, Bunyoro. Colors: Green.

3. Hawabark Boulders. HWB. Loction: Hawabark, Buganda. Colors: Red.

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4. Kigagana Mountaineers. KGG. Location: Kigagana, Bunyoro. Colors: Blue.

5. Busemlu Park Sporting Club. BSM. Location: Busemlu Park, Buganda. Colors: Orange.

6. Mukegara Warriors. MKG. Location: Mukegara, Bunyoro. Colors: Green.

7. Pumbasa Boars. PUM. Location: Pumbasa, Buganda. Colors: Orange.

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8. Byakado City. BYK. Location: Byakado, Bunyoro. Colors: Orange.

9. Boufaya Ravens. BFY. Location: Boufaya, Buganda. Colors: Blue.

10. Sororo City. SOR. Location: Sororo, Bunyoro. Colors: Blue.

11. Abomfa United. ABM. Location: Abomfa, Buganda. Colors: Red.

12. Amaku City Football Club. ACFC. Location: Amaku, Bunyoro. Colors: Red.

by **Banija** » Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:54 pm

Banija's Regional Soccer Leagues - Season 0

Season took place alongside Season 4 of the Banijan Soccer League. Here are those results

Northwest League                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Corizova United FC                  44   22   9  13    54   37  +17    75 - CHAMPIONS
 2 Barmos United                       44   20  10  14    49   40   +9    70
 3 AFC Kosactus                        44   20  10  14    52   43   +9    70
 4 Suwawa FC                           44   20   9  15    54   50   +4    69
 5 Tezirbu Foxes                       44   18  11  15    54   46   +8    65
 6 Eastern Moravica Football Club      44   15  13  16    37   37    0    58
 7 Jaribga Soccer Club                 44   16   9  19    34   49  −15    57
 8 Slobochia Bears                     44   16   9  19    44   50   −6    57
 9 Koszagard City                      44   14  13  17    49   53   −4    55
10 Nezrouch Rovers                     44   15   9  20    46   51   −5    54
11 Taramazna United                    44   15   8  21    38   39   −1    53
12 Tripoli Foresters                   44   13  10  21    34   50  −16    49

Southern League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Hawabark Boulders                   44   20  13  11    47   32  +15    73 - CHAMPIONS
 2 Sororo City                         44   18  11  15    41   37   +4    65
 3 Umbazi FA                           44   16  15  13    39   45   −6    63
 4 Pumbasa Bears                       44   16  15  13    42   42    0    63
 5 Dodoma City SC                      44   15  17  12    40   33   +7    62
 6 Busemlu Park SC                     44   14  18  12    42   34   +8    60
 7 Boufaya Ravens                      44   17   9  18    58   57   +1    60
 8 Mukegara Warriors                   44   17   9  18    45   49   −4    60
 9 Abomfa United                       44   15  15  14    49   45   +4    60
10 Amaku City FC                       44   16  10  18    45   43   +2    58
11 Byakado City                        44   12  11  21    43   59  −16    47
12 Kigagana Mountaineers               44   10  13  21    34   49  −15    43

Northern League                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cerenus United                      44   19  15  10    53   37  +16    72 - CHAMPIONS
 2 Garixas City                        44   19  13  12    41   30  +11    70
 3 Koksho City                         44   17  15  12    50   40  +10    66
 4 Nanami Dragons                      44   18  10  16    40   36   +4    64
 5 Duntho Sporting Club                44   18  10  16    52   46   +6    64
 6 Okakameb City                       44   17  11  16    40   37   +3    62
 7 Igulu City FC                       44   16   9  19    33   44  −11    57
 8 AFC Okahavi                         44   15  11  18    45   50   −5    56
 9 Luguyala Patriots                   44   14  14  16    45   44   +1    56
10 Gadive City                         44   13  16  15    42   50   −8    55
11 Thayaferu United                    44   14  10  20    31   38   −7    52
12 Selekawe Knights                    44   10  14  20    28   48  −20    44

Lower Coastal League                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kabakono City                       44   24  11   9    60   35  +25    83 - CHAMPIONS
 2 Capitol City Football Club          44   21  10  13    49   34  +15    73
 3 Baleweye Football Club              44   17  18   9    37   31   +6    69
 4 Zakuta City                         44   17  11  16    56   48   +8    62
 5 Djoro Athletic                      44   14  19  11    43   40   +3    61
 6 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club       44   14  16  14    40   41   −1    58
 7 Nsade United                        44   14  13  17    42   45   −3    55
 8 AFC Akwadua                         44   16   6  22    44   44    0    54
 9 Kitara Athletic Society             44   13  13  18    40   44   −4    52
10 Kwadama Dojo                        44   13  13  18    39   50  −11    52
11 Mamari City                         44   13  10  21    43   58  −15    49
12 Dimbogourou Sporting Club           44   12  12  20    38   61  −23    48

by **Banija** » Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:17 pm

Banijan Regional League System - Season 1 Rosters

Underlined players are Banijan internationals.
Nationality is listed if they are not Banijan.
Italicized players are internationals for a foreign country.

The Northwestern League
1. Corizova United
Manager: Al Iska. 48 years old. 2nd year at the club.
Formation: 5-3-2
GK #1 Ayman Jawdat Sultan. Age 21(Al Qurija)
RWB #2 Idirissa Jagne. Age 27.
RCB #5 Baturou Saidykhan. Age 34. Captain.
CB #3 Yoro Janneh. Age 22.
LCB #4 Filije Kolley. Age 19.
LWB #6 Antouman Baldeg. Age 32.
LM #17 Tairu Jaiteh. Age 33.
CM #10 Sulayman Jassey. Age 31.
RM #8 Alasan Mendy. Age 30.
RS #11 Makang Marenah. Age 27.
LS #12 Bubacar Senghore. Age 23.

2. Barmos United.
Manager: Felipe Bergoglio(Amazonesta). Age 47.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Farai Dulini
RB #20 Moyo Chiroto. Age 28.
CB #4 Nhamo Rugeje. Age 19.
CB #5 Nassim Samir Nejem. Age 17(Al Qurija).
LB #3 Tarirai Towungana. Age 24.
RM #14 Tateguru Chikwava. Age 22.
CM #23 Chenjerai Mugabe. Age 24.
CM #10 Manenji Mwayenga. Age 31. Captain.
LM #12 Baba Mtawarira. Age 27.
RS #15 Tichafara Chimusasa. Age 29.
LS #7 Tinavo Jongwe. Age 34.

3. AFC Kosactus.
Manager: Elijah Bryan. Age 45. 4th year at club.
Formation: 3-5-2.
GK #1 Jacob Yusai. Age 28.
RB #2 Thabo Tsholofelo. Age 22.
CB #5 Mmoloki Pusoetsile. Age 33. Captain.
LB #4 Molefi Mompati. Age 25.
RDM #18 Baleseng Lasaro. Age 29.
LDM #14 Thaelo Fenyang. Age 30.
LM #17 Rebatho Magosi. Age 24.
RM #8 Morapedi Tumelo. Age 27.
CAM #8 Baaitse Sesupo. Age 22.
RS #10 Olebogeng Bakang. Age 22.
LS #9 Moagisi Morongwa. Age 21.

4. Suwawa FC.
Manager: Leonard Nasoba. Age 66. 8th year at club.
Formation: 5-4-1.
GK #1 Jacob Venzi. Age 35. Captain.
LWB #13 Busang Diphetogo. Age 22.
LCB #4 Motswane Loago. Age 26.
CB #5 Basimane Dineo. Age 27.
RCB #16 Moswen Mosegi. Age 31.
RWB #19 Ookeditse Theofilo. Age 23.
LM #17 Thito Kgosie. Age 27.
CM #8 Isang Khumo. Age 30.
CM #15 Lore Theofilo. Age 31.
RM #14 Seako Mothibi. Age 22.
ST #12 Mompati Molatedi. Age 27.

5. Tezirbu Foxes
Manager: Mohammed Al-Jeafar. Age 56. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond.
GK #1 Abadar Al-Jeafar. Age 33(first son of the manager).
RB #2 Qaasin Hussein. Age 22.
CB #4 Fihr Muhammed Bousaid. Age 23(Al Qurija)
CB #5 Qaaje Nassar. Age 22.
LB #3 Naasif el-Beydoun. Age 27.
CDM #18 Muhsin al-Zaki. Age 31. Captain.
LM #17 Raaji al-Jan. Age 32.
RM #8 Zaahir al-Abraham. Age 29.
CAM #10 Shakeel el-Salih. Age 19.
RS #11 Hamad el-Ghazi. Age 27.
LS #9 Kabeer al-Sadri. Age 20.

6. Eastern Moravica FC
Manager: Oscar Boateng.. 1st year at club. 51 years old.
Formation: 4-2-3-1.
GK #1 Randall Perry III. Age 32.
RB #2 Madoda Hani. Age 21.
CB #5 Khuselwa Mankayi. Age 27.
CB #4 Aphiwe Mazwai. Age 26.
LB #3 Phakamile Vavi. Age 23.
RDM #8 Sibabalwe Booi. Age 30. Captain.
LDM #14 Lwandle Nkuhlu. Age 31.
RAM #11 Hlomela Ntini. Age 24.
CAM #10 Onke Ntlokwana. Age 21.
LAM #7 Silumko Ngubenani. Age 20.
CF #9 Khuzani Nzo. Age 19.

7. Jaribga Soccer Club
Manager: Ali Bin-Salman. 70 years old. 15th year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 diamond.
GK #1 Hibbaan al-Shareef. Age 18.
RB #2 Jamaal Khalid Tawfiq. Age 20(Al Qurija)
CB #5 Ashraf el-Tabet. Age 31. Captain.
LB #35 Naaji al-Azam. Age 19.
CDM #14 Umair el-Qasim. Age 33.
LM #17 Naazim el-Usman. Age 29.
RM #8 Suhail el-Shams. Age 27.
CAM #10 Farajallah el-Baluch. Age 28.
LW #11 Tareef el-Salik. Age 24.
ST #9 Asmar al-Alli. Age 21.
RW #7 Hamza el-Abu. Age 22.

8. Slobochia Bears.
Manager: Travis Yeste. Age 47. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 3-1-3-2-1
GK #1 Trae Borga. Age 29.
RB #2 Sigqibo Holomisa. Age 27. Triplet brother of other two defenders on the Bears.
CB #5 Bonani Holomisa. Age 27. Triplet brother of other two defenders on the Bears.
LB #3 Sonwabile Biko. Age 27. Triplet brother of other two defenders on the Bears.
CDM #6 Silumko Dana. Age 29.
LM #17 Buzwe Ntshona. Age 17.
CM #8 Carl Stieber. Age 27(Equestrian States). Captain.
RM #7 Mpumelelo Mabandla. Age 29.
LAM #10 Mangaliso Mandela. Age 24.
RAM #14 Bathandwa Ngcaba. Age 38.
ST #9 Dingindawo Pokwana. Age 22.

9. Koszagard City
Manager: David Finebaum. Age 39. First year at club.
Formation; 4-2-4.
GK #1 Kizito Nzo. Age 34.
RB #2 Fezekile Ndodana. Age 28.
CB #5 Diliza Nqakula. Age 23.
CB #4 Velile Makwetu. Age 24.
LB #3 Gugulethu Feza. Age 20.
CM #8 Thamsanqa Pukwana. Age 22.
CM #14 Sizamile Siganeko. Age 21.
LW #11 Mzukisi Soga. Age 34. Captain.
RS #9 Mesuli Kwenkwe. Age 30.
LS #10 Thandisizwe Mandela. Age 29.
RW #7 Mthuthuzeli Jabavu. Age 32.

10. Nezrouch Rovers
Manager: Alberto Cuandro(Age 54). Amazonesta. First year as manager at the club.
Formation: 4-3-3
GK #1 Sharaf al-Ammar. Age 37.
RB #2 Jamaal el-Akhtar. Age 24.
CB #15 Wajdi al-Ben. Age 29.
CB #29 Saabiq el-Usman. Age 31.
LB #3 Ala al-Din Mahomet El-Hashem. Age 18(Al Qurija)
CM #8 Humaid el-Zamani. Age 28.
CM #18 Rajab al-Ben. Age 24.
CAM #10 Maazin el-Bilal. Age 31.
LW #11 Sad al-Hosseini. Age 27.
ST #12 Naasif el-Shaikh. Age 28.
RW #7 Talaal al-Youssef. Age 33.

11. Taramazna United.
Manager: Lucas Billes. 45 years old. 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Ericsson Daniels. 34 years old.
RB #2 Yekile Nzo. Age 21.
CB #5 Fezile Ntsokwana. Age 26.
CB #4 Mthuthuzeli Ngqawana. Age 29.
LB #3 Bhekinkosi Mhlambiso. Age 31.
RM #7 Senzile Rubusana. Age 27.
CM #14 Mzwandile Tyali. Age 23.
CM #8 Viwe Sobukwe. Age 30.
LM #23 Phumlani Ngcaba. Age 21.
LS #9 Lelethu Jongilanga. Age 27.
RS #12 Thukile Jadezweni. Age 33. Captain.

12. Tripoli Foresters
Manager: Josiah Buba. 37 years old. Former Banijan men's national team player. Played last season for Mynda SC in the BSL. 1st year as coach. Born & raised in Tripoli.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Waleed al-Aydin. Age 34.
RB #2 Subhi el-Zafar. Age 31.
CB #5 Muneer al-Mansouri. Age 33.
CB #4 Aslam el-Hallal. Age 33.
LB #13 Abdul Haleem el-Minhas. Age 27.
LM #17 Abdur Rasheed el-Dia. Age 29.
CM #8 Fateen al-Tabet. Age 24.
CM #10 Qusay Binyamin Ajam. Age 17(Al Qurija)
RM #7 Yoosuf al-Zakaria. Age 22.
RS #9 Shujaa el-Kazmi. Age 34. Captain.
LS #11 Shaheed al-Salek. Age 31.

Lower Coastal League
1. Kabakono City
Manager: Alan Bettles. 56 years old. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Karafa Touray. Age 18.
RB #12 Juma Jammeh. Age 27.
CB #4 Samba Mbye. Age 30.
CB #5 Mamadi Jallow. Age 39.
LB #2 Baboucar Kujabi. Age 30.
RM #11 Junkung Kambi. Age 33.
CM #10 Kemo Conateh. Age 29.
CM #8 Bahij Wafi Saab. Age 24(Al Qurija)
LM #7 Essa Mansaré. Age 33. Captain.
RS #10 Abdoulaye Ouattara. Age 21.
LS #9 Idi Singhateh. Age 21.

2. Capitol City Football Club.
Manager: Alexander Berry. 74 years old. 19th year at club. Also the club's sole owner. Only club in the Lower Coastal League that is not fan owned.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Jumu Sanneh. Age 19.
RB #2 Malik Secka. Age 22.
CB #5 Wandi Kouyaté. Age 31. Younger twin brother of Daba Kouyaté.
CB #4 Daba Kouyaté. Age 31. Older twin brother of Wandi Kouyaté.
LB #3 Alifa Diawara. Age 27.
RM #17 Jabr Afzal Abdullah. Age 20(Al Qurija)
CM #18 Yankubah Daramy. Age 28.
CM #14 Landing Biri. Age 27.
LM #7 Sarjo Ceesay. Age 41. Captain. Oldest professional footballer in Banija. Has vowed to play until 45.
RS #9 Fakebba Kolley. Age 21.
LS #10 Bamba Fadika. Age 32.

3. Balweye Football Club
Manager: Lukas Bornas. 57 years old. 5th year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3 false nine
GK #1 Bassam Harith Boulos. Age 18(Al Qurija).
RB #2 Paboy Saidykhan. Age 19.
CB #5 Daba Mansaré. Age 22.
CB #4 Kamara Njie. Age 24.
LB #3 Fabba Nyang. Age 27.
CDM #14 Lafi Touray. Age 30. Captain.
RCM #18 Momodou Marong. Age 24.
LCM #8 Ediresa Ceesay. Age 29.
CAM #10 Ebrima Jatta. Age 29.
LW #7 Yaya Kayode. Age 23.
RW #11 Abdoulaye Sanyang. Age 28.

4. Zakuta City
Manager: Al Thompson. 56 years old. 7th year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3.
GK #1 Kausu Biri. Age 28.
RB #2 Malik Ndaw. Age 19.
CB #4 Sidibeh Condé. Age 25.
LB #3 Yaya Condeh. Age 22.
RM #17 Baturou Jawara. Age 26.
CM #18 Fanding Kolley. Age 33.
CM #14 Gereh Sanyang. Age 31. Captain.
LM #11 Idris Nur ad-Din Naaji. Age 19(Al Qurija)
RW #7 Omar Coote. Age 22.
ST #9 Kebba Nyang. Age 29.
LW #19 Ablie Sanneh. Age 25.

5. Djoru Athletic
Manager: Pilate Esters. 45 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-5-1 Diamond.
GK #1 Alaji Mansaré. Age 40.
RB #2 Hatabu Manneh. Age 22.
CB #5 Kemo Savaneh. Age 23.
CB #4 Addo Soley. Age 27.
LB #3 Baluta Ndaw. Age 31.
RM #17 Karafa Ngum. Age 24.
RCM #14 Tairu Jobe. Age 27.
CM #8 Abu Condé. Age 29. Captain.
LCM #18 Wassa Ba. Age 30.
LM #19 Ediresa Biri. Age 23.
CF#9 Rasheed Munir Al-Mufti. Age 25(Al Qurija)

6. Ogbordu Diamond Football Club
Manager: Lyle Jordan. 46 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 5-4-1
GK #1 Yankubah Colley. Age 18.
RWB #2 Tamba Baldeh. Age 28.
RCB #5 Kemo Uster. Age 30.
CB #4 Boto Ndiaye. Age 31. Captain.
LCB #3 Sama Mboob. Age 20.
LWB #20 Karamo Mansaray. Age 28.
RM #7 Masane Mbye. Age 24.
CM #10 Bailo Ba. Age 29.
CM #8 Sulayman Janneh. Age 30.
LM #11 Wassa Kairaba. Age 22.
CF#9 Umar Thamir Nagi. Age 20(Al Qurija)

7. Nsade United.
Manager: Noab Jember. 58 years old. 4th year with club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Aviwe Mankayi. Age 26.
RB #2 Eyob Melkamu. Age 29.
CB #5 Mzoxolo Booi. Age 30.
CB #4 Dalumzi Ntsokwana. Age 26.
LB #3 Mesuli Nahola. Age 22.
LM #7 Lwazi Kolisi. Age 29.
CM #10 Thembalethu Mthobeni. Age 22.
CM #8 Sonwabo Najeke. Age 23.
RM #17 Gcobani Dumalisile. Age 21.
RS #11 Xolani Mtoto. Age 30. Captain.
LS #9 Finnr Beckert. Age 18(Equestrian States)

8. AFC Akwadua
Manager: Kristos Gebre. Age 67. 8th year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 Diamond.
GK #1 Kahsu Alemu. Age 35. Captain.
RB #2 Matanzima Kwenkwe. Age 29.
CB #5 Jikela Maqoma. Age 30.
LB #3 Dumisani Mgijima. Age 31.
CDM #4 Dumile Nombembe. Age 27.
RM #8 Bhekinkosi Mtoto. Age 23.
LM #7 Gqibelo Msutu. Age 29.
CAM #10 Mzwakhe Makepula. Age 22.
RW #11 Lundi Kani. Age 29.
ST #9 Lindani Sisulu. Age 30.
LW #19 Masakhane Sikali. Age 26.

9. Kitara Athletic Society
Manager: Harold Lisle. 46 years old. 6th year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3
GK #1 Luzuko Botile. Age 25.
RB #2 Mangaliso Ndungane. Age 27.
CB #5 Mnyamezeli Ntlokwana. Age 22.
CB #4 Mncedisi Jezile. Age 25.
LB #3 Yekile Nkuhlu. Age 29.
RM #17 Mpilo Mkutukana. Age 31.
CM #10 Lifa Tyali. Age 22.
LM #19 Fundani Mabandla. Age 23.
LW #11 Sidima Pityana. Age 22.
ST #12 Jonginkosi Makepula. Age 30.
RW #7 Teodros Abdellahi. Age 32. Captain.

10. Kwadama Dojo
Manager: Tamrat Asnake. 53 years old. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
GK #1. Frederick Beech. Age 25.
RB #21 Mũtiga Wachira. Age 29.
CB #3 Wambũgũ Kuria. Age 31.
CB #4 Gathaiya Theuri. Age 33. Captain.
LB #22 Mũgo Wamahiũ. Age 22.
RM #17 Ngũnjiri Wachiuru. Age 20.
CM #14 Mũrĩranja Nyoike. Age 23.
CM #15 Gĩtari Kamande. Age 26.
LM #11 Mũhũri Wachira. Age 23.
CF #12 Gĩthaiga Gĩchikũ. Age 20.
ST #9 Gĩkonyo Wawerũ. Age 21.

11. Mamari City
Manager: Alengae Workneh. Age 48. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Phumlani Sontonga. Age 29.
RB #2 Jongephi Ngubenani. Age 30.
CB #5 Bulelani Komani. Age 22.
CB #4 Wonga Stofile. Age 23.
LB #3 Khuselwa Jali. Age 29.
RM #17 Melumzi Kolisi. Age 19.
CM #18 Ndothusile Mandela. Age 20.
CM #14 Andile Sandile. Age 20.
LM #11 Mthuthuzeli Mbeki. Age 19.
RS #9 Zandisile Xingwana. Age 30. Captain.
LS #11 Menas Bara. Age 26.

12. Dimbogourou Sporting Club
Manager: Andrew Less. 51 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 Diamond.
GK #1 Hank Llordan. 24 years old.
RB #2 Madoda Stofile. Age 29.
CB #5 Jongephi Ngcuka. Age 30.
LB #3 Zukile Matshikiza. Age 31.
CDM #4 Masakhane Tshwete. Age 29.
RM #17 Mxolisi Thovela. Age 20.
LM #11 Bantu Qoboza. Age 21.
CAM #10 Luxolo Mankayi. Age 20.
RW #7 Mabhuti Mzolisa. Age 28.
ST #9 Sabelo Ngxanga. Age 22.
LW #19 Mesuli Ngonyama. Age 28.

Northern League
1. Cerenus United
Manager: Teoflyos Asres. 57 years old. 4th year at club.
Formation: 3-5-2.
GK #1 Joas Belendia. Age 34. Captain.
RB #2 Bantu Ndodana. Age 29.
CB #5 Naseer Ashfaq Alfarsi. Age 22(Al Qurija)
LB #3 Daluxolo Matshikiza. Age 22.
RM #17 Mandilakhe Tyibilika. Age 24.
CDM #15 Lindani Qoboza. Age 27.
CM #14 Luyolo Ngubenani. Age 31.
CM #18 Phumelele Stofile. Age 21.
LM #11 Xolile Kani. Age 22.
RS #9 Lonwabo Dikana. Age 24.
LS #7 Zanemvula Dalasile. Age 29.

2. Garixas City
Manager: Thembinkosi Siwani. Age 36. 2nd year at club. Considered the 'most likely manager to be hired in the BSL' in the next 2-3 years.
Formation: 5-4-1
GK #1 Luzuko Ngcuka. Age 22.
RWB #2 Vuyani Qoboza. Age 26.
RCB #21 Bantu Mvovo. Age 21.
CB #5 Sani Jameel Hussain. Age 17(Al Qurija)
LCB #17 Zamekile Tyali. Age 31. Captain.
LWB #3 Anathi Mhlambiso. Age 30.
RM #11 Phumlani Ngxanga. Age 22.
CM #14 Zamikhaya Dlulane. Age 28.
CM #18 Masibulele Jadezweni. Age 22.
LM #7 Simphiwe Nkuhlu. Age 29.
CF #9 Mxolisi Gobodo. Age 24.

3. Koksho City
Manager: Adamu Demessie. Age 42. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Mbingeleli Komani. Age 27.
RB #2 Rizwan Sulaiman Ahmad. Age 21(Al Qurija)
CB #5 Menzi Mtoto. Age 23.
CB #4 Sandile Nahola. Age 28.
LB #3 Swazi Matshikiza. Age 31.
RM #11 Jikela Sandile. Age 29.
CM #14 Mkhokeli Jabavu. Age 28.
CM #18 Zaminkosi Mkutukana. Age 30.
LM #7 Lizo Xingwana. Age 33. Captain.
RS #9 Phumzile Pikisa. Age 24.
LS #11 Fezile Ndodana. Age 27.

4. Nanami Dragons
Manager: Nyaniso Mazwai. 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Madoda Jabavu. Age 24.
RB #2 Mzwakhe Tyibilika. Age 20.
CB #5 Mabhuti Makwetu. Age 21.
CB #4 Sizamile Ngonyama. Age 27.
LB #3 Boutros Hussain Kader. Age 16(Al Qurija)
LM #8 Zamekile Joyi. Age 31.
CM #6 Melumzi Booi. Age 29.
CM #10 Simphiwe Dumalisile. Age 30. Captain.
LM #11 Lwandle Maqoma. Age 27.
RS #11 Thukile Qoboza. Age 22.
LS #9 Beca Menas. Age 21.

5. Duntho Sporting Club
Manager: Mitiku Fassilidas. Age 65. 13th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Wang’Ondu Mũrĩu. Age 31. Captain.
RB #2 Mũtegi Wang'Ombe. Age 30.
CB #5 Kĩnyua Thuũ. Age 31.
CB #6 Njaũ Waita. Age 23.
LB #3 Gathogo Mũtiga. Age 31.
RM #11 Mũkundi Wang’Ombe. Age 27.
CM #13 Thuũ Njerũ. Age 28.
CM #10 Rasim Murtaza El-Amin. Age 20(Al Qurija)
LM #7 Kimaru Njoroge. Age 21.
RS #9 Maitho Kanja. Age 30.
LS #12 Kamande Muriũki. Age 21.

6. Okakameb City
Manager: Kristopher Columbio. Age 55. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3 attacking.
GK #1 Retta Paulos. Age 21.
RB #2 Sabelo Mbeki. Age 20.
CB#4 Wandile Mavuso. Age 29.
CB #5 Matanzima Ndodana. Age 24.
LB #3 Thembinkosi Kolisi. Age 21.
CM #8 Mnyamezeli Sikali. Age 28.
CM #6 Malusi Nkuhlu. Age 22.
CAM #10 Ndothusile Kani. Age 31. Captain.
RW #7 Mthandeni Holomisa. Age 24.
ST #9 Mbulelo Mpumlwana. Age 29.
LW #11 Mabhuti Komani. Age 22.

7. Igulu City FC
Manager: Nathaniel Bisor. 57 years old. 8th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Eba Salam. Age 34. Captain.
RB #2 Maina Mathenge. Age 29.
CB #5 Gĩtari Njuguna. Age 31.
CB #4 Gĩtũra Gathongo. Age 30.
LB #3 Gachanja Mwai. Age 22.
RM #11 Kóri Vacík. Age 22(Equestrian States)
CM #14 Watene Mũrĩmi. Age 28.
CM #18 Koinange Mathenge. Age 29.
LM #7 Njoroge Kĩnyua. Age 31.
RS #11 Gĩtukũ Kinũthia. Age 23.
LS #9 Kenyatta Mũraya. Age 22.

8. AFC Okahavi
Manager: Markos Yideg. 59 years old. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 Diamond.
GK #1 Nebiyou Alemayehu. Age 22.
RB #2 Mzukisi Xingwana. Age 20.
CB #5 Sibabalwe Pukwana. Age 29.
LB #3 Zenzile Mankayi. Age 27.
CDM #8 Mthuthuzeli Dana. Age 21.
LM #6 Masibulele Siwani. Age 34.
RM #19 Fuzile Jadezweni. Age 31.
CAM #10 Ed Maestri. Age 23(Equestrian States).
LW #11 Thembani Dlulane. Age 27.
ST #9 Mongezi Rubusana. Age 31. Captain.
RW #7 Lifa Sontonga. Age 24.

9. Luguyala Patriots
Manager: Kidane Einku. Age 54. 4th year at club.
Formation: 5-4-1
GK #1 Dula Nahom. Age 34.
RWB #2 Mbingeleli Makwetu. Age 21.
RCB #3 Fikile Tambo. Age 27.
CB #5 Mzukisi Nqakula. Age 31. Captain.
LCB #4 Nqabisile Mda. Age 22.
LWB #6 Luthando Mkutukana. Age 29.
RM #17 Sakhiwo Sandile. Age 30.
CM #8 Zilindile Matshoba. Age 28.
CM #14 Diliza Makepula. Age 22.
LM #11 Dumile Siwani. Age 21.
ST #9 Mgcineni Nombembe. Age 29.

10. Gadive City
Manager: Nebiyou Alemayehu. 45 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Obi Frayzer. 31 years old.
RB #2 Welile Dandala. Age 27.
CB #21 Bhekinkosi Vavi. Age 28.
CB #29 Mcebisi Mgijima. Age 30.
LB #3 Vile Thovela. Age 21.
RM #7 Aphiwe Mtoto. Age 25.
CM #6 Siphelele Gola. Age 30. Captain.
CM #8 Mzwakhe Ntsokwana. Age 31.
LM #11 Thembalethu Nkuhlu. Age 30.
RS #12 Mavo Feza. Age 29.
LS #9 Senzile Hani. Age 24.

11. Thayaferu United
Manager: Liben Dessalegne. 48 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond.
GK #1 Bayissa Beyne. 29 years old.
RB #2 Methuli Tshwete. 24 years old.
CB #5 Dumile Rubusana. 28 years old.
CB #4 Thukile Jabavu. 27 years old.
LB #3 Mthimkhulu Dana. 31 years old.
CDM #6 Xolisa Siganeko. 38 years old. Captain. Father of Zandisile Siganeko.
RM #7 Mzwakhe Ntini. 24 years old.
LM #11 Siphelele Xingwana. 25 years old.
CAM #10 Zandisile Siganeko. 17 years old. Son of Xolisa Siganeko.
RS #8 Luyolo Makinana. 22 years old.
LS #9 Mnyamezeli Mazwai. 27 years old.

12. Selekawe Knights.
Manager: Kiros Etefu. 65 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Kiros Etefu. Age 33.
RB #2 Ndirangũ Kĩhiũ. Age 33.
CB #5 Njagĩ Gĩchikũ. Age 34.
CB #4 Ireri Mathani. Age 37.
LB #3 Kĩoi Thairu. Age 30.
RM #17 Njogu Mũrakaru. Age 33.
CM #14 Gathongo Nyamu. Age 30. Captain.
CM #18 Mũrĩgĩ Wakaritũ. Age 34.
LM #7 Kĩrĩma Gachii. Age 33.
RS #9 Wang’Ombe Mũthĩnji. Age 36.
LS #0 Kairu Wachira. Age 33.

Southern League
1. Hawabark Boulders
Manager: Alaji Senghore. 57 years old. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Giovanni Falco. Age 20(Equestrian States).
RB #2 Wandi Suso. Age 29.
CB #5 Nfansu Sene. Age 33.
CB #4 Abdoulie Jawara. Age 31.
LB #3 Junkung Danso. Age 30.
RM #11 Kairaba Kujabi. Age 22.
CM #14 Masane Mbye. Age 26.
CM #10 Suhayl Mostafa Ahmed. Age 22(Al Qurija)
LM #19 Momodu Touré. Age 30. Captain.
RS #7 Kabir Jobateh. Age 19.
LS #12 Lafi Kabba. Age 20.

2. Sororo City
Manager: Jabril Baldeh. 67 years old. 4th year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 Diamond.
GK #1 Seedy Dabo. Age 30.
RB #2 Wassa Kabba. Age 26.
CB #5 Laity Dieye. Age 25.
LB #3 Jerold Ferguson. Age 28(Equestrian States).
CDM #6 Lamin Sidibeh. Age 30. Captain.
RM #17 Badara Jarju, Age 22.
LM #11 Mus'ad Asad Abdulrashid. Age 21(Al Qurija)
CAM #10 Assan Thiaw. Age 28.
RW #7 Bailo Camara. Age 21.
ST #9 Wandy Kujabi. Age 23.
LW #20 Boubacar Kinte. Age 27.

3. Umbazi FA
Manager: Isa Guissé. 37 years old. 1st year at club. Up & coming manager.
Formation: 5-4-1
GK #1 Jamang Ceesay. 33 years old.
RWB #2 Bassirou Kaba. Age 28.
RB #4 Filije Sarr. Age 29.
CB #5 Gisbert Irving. Age 29(Equestrian States). Captain.
LB #6 Chenor Touré. Age 32.
LWB #3 Buwa Kinte. Age 30.
RM #17 Alifa Mboge. Age 22.
CM #14 Kamara Dabo. Age 27.
CM #18 Saihou Coote. Age 31.
LM #11 Samba Diawara. Age 28.
CF #9 Zaki Hameed Karimi. Age 17(Al Qurija)

4. Pumbasa Bears
Manager: Edrissa Condeh. 54 years old. 1st year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
GK #1 Pateh Sidibeh. Age 29.
RB #2 Paboy Guiss. Age 33. Captain.
CB #5 Thorley Ralston. Age 21(Equestrian States).
CB #4 Kabiru Ngum. Age 23.
LB #3 Sidibeh Dabo. Age 29.
RM #11 Narciso Campo. Age 19(Al Qurija)
CM #10 Kemo Savaneh. Age 28.
CM #14 Landing Jallow. Age 29.
LM #17 Fabba Fadika. Age 20.
RS #9 Kunta Ogoo. Age 21.
LS #12 Lafi Mansaré. Age 28.

5. Dodoma City SC
Manager: Ousman Kouyaté. 56 years old. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK #1 Jumu Jawara. Age 29.
RB #2 Malick Nyang. Age 31.
CB #5 Nfansu Sidibeh. Age 20.
CB #4 Hatabu Mboob. Age 27.
LB #3 Bouba Mansaré. Age 33. Captain.
RDM #6 Alfred Cooper. Age 28(Equestrian States)
LDM #13 Bora Kama. Age 29.
LAM #8 Junkung Ceesay. Age 28.
CAM #10 Kausu Dabo. Age 30.
RAM #11 Ebrahima Soley. Age 22.
CF #9 Botros Hanif Saqqaf. Age 24(Al Qurija)

6. Busemlu Park SC
Manager: Jerome Lucksetter. Age 54. 3rd year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3 Defensive.
GK #1 Ismaela Sidibeh. Age 34.
RB #2 Jibou Ndour. Age 29.
CB #5 Babaja Condé. Age 30.
CB #4 Faraba Guissé. Age 33.
LB #3 Bamba Ndiaye. Age 27.
CDM #6 Malamin Mboge. Age 22.
RCM #14 Fion Fiedler. Age 24(New Cloudsdale)
LCM #18 Bai Sanyang. Age 20.
RW #11 Muña Keita. Age 29.
ST #10 Essa Fadika. Age 31. Captain.
LW #7 Bakary Gaye. Age 31.

7. Boufaya Ravens
Manager: Edward Lettison. 56 years old. 6th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Foday Kuyateh. Age 21.
RB #2 Tamba Jawara. Age 33.
CB #5 Ablie Kah. Age 30.
CB #4 Makang Njie. Age 29.
LB #3 Bolong Secka. Age 27.
RM #11 Jebel Kouyaté. Age 20.
CM #8 Aviwe Kwenkwe. Age 31. Captain.
CM #14 Yakuba Ndiaye. Age 30.
LM #7 Habib Coulibaly. Age 31.
RS #9 Longcan Mansaré. Age 29.
LS #12 Omar Gaye. Age 28.

8. Mukegara Warriors
Manager: Isaiah Hendleson. 54 years old. 11th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2.
Warriors only draw from the Mukegara tribe, a small tribe with an estimated population of between 40,000 and 50,000 that worships the Quebecois monarch, who they believe is the reincarnated God.
GK #1 Chigo Kgomotso. Age 28.
RB #2 Zoke Chebwa. Age 30.
CB #5 Abelo Okudlala. Age 31. Captain.
CB #4 Duna Duble. Age 27.
LB #6 Fokazi Dundu. Age 22.
RM #11 Iwe Samkange. Age 21.
CM #14 Tashongedzwa Nengomasha. Age 25.
CM #18 Taropafadzwa Nkomolade. Age 29.
LM #7 Chidawo Mwaruwari. Age 24.
RS #9 Chikwava Tirivangani. Age 30.
LS #10 Itai Taremekedzwa. Age 22.

9. Abomfa United.
Manager: Jongwe Diindingwe. Age 54. 1st year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3 Diamond.
GK #1 Jelan Chidey. Age 29.
RB #21 Chidy Nnamdi. Age 30.
CB #30 Uchy Obie. Age 20.
LB #25 Jelaney Chononso. Age 29.
CDM #24 Jel Chibueze. Age 28.
RM #27 Chinese Ndidi. Age 30.
LM #31 Hardy Pedersen. Age 25(Equestrian States).
CAM #34 Oby Okorie. Age 21.
RW #39 Chuks Okparra. Age 30. Captain.
ST #29 Chijioke Chinua. Age 33.
LW #45 Ogbonna Obasea. Age 30.

10. Amaku City FC
Manager: Kirabo Besigye. 41 years old. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 3-4-1-2
GK #1 Chydy Chinwendu. Age 22
RB #2 Okparro Obey. Age 29.
CB #5 Koofrey Orjie. Age 20.
LB #3 Jelan Chijindum. Age 23.
RM #11 Kagwa Wachiuri. Age 25.
CM #14 Obasy Azubuike. Age 30. Captain.
CM #18 Uchee Chinou. Age 31.
LM #17 Mazi Nkechi. Age 23.
CAM #10 Chukwuma Akubundu. Age 17.
RS #9 Somayina Chidee. Age 23.
LS #12 Uchea Maduabuchim. Age 28.

11. Byakado City
Manager: Muteesa Mbogalay. 54 years old. 6th year at club.
Formation: 5-1-2-1-1
GK #1 Chioke Okafo. Age 21.
RWB #2 Chibuzo Chydy. Age 23.
RCB #5 Orjea Mazi. Age 27.
CB #4 Akabueze Jajah. Age 30. Captain.
LCB #3 Obasie Chinuah. Age 31.
LWB #6 Obi Ozioma. Age 22.
CDM #8 Oluchi Jelan. Age 28.
RM #11 Jelanee Chinelo. Age 23.
LM #7 Obea Ndidi. Age 20.
CAM #10 Songezo Pityana. Age 28.
CF #9 Chee Ijendu. Age 29.

12. Kigagana Mountaineers
Manager: Ekene Afamefula. 71 years old. 8th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Uchey Jajah. Age 28.
RB #2 Fumnanya Jel. Age 26.
CB #5 Jaja Chijioke. Age 27.
CB #4 Jelanie Chinedu. Age 28.
LB #3 Obee Uchechea. Age 22.
RM #7 Obasea Uchea. Age 31.
CM #18 Chijindum Obasey. Age 30.
CM #14 Chidea Ekene. Age 29.
LM #11 Chydee Orjee. Age 28.
RS #10 Jelanee Chinuah. Age 22.
LS #9 Fezile Jabavu. Age 32. Captain.

by **Banija** » Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:42 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 5 Rosters

Teams in the BSL-
Underlined players are Banijan internationals.
Nationality is listed if they are not Banijan.
Italicized players are internationals for a foreign country.
1. Herzegovina City Football Club.
Manager: Kolt Freegan. Age 49; 9th year at club.
Formation: 4-3-1-2
GK #16 Delbin Kasekende. Age 29.
LB #5 Alaji Kabbah. Age 36. Captain.
LCB #2 Lazlo Kearney. Age 29(Nephara)
RCB #4 Zinnah Atieno. Age 25.
RB #19 Massala Chahine. Age 32.
LM #14 Elias Abate. Age 28.
CM #7 Boimah Ba. Age 31.
RM #10 Aarón Aiza. Age 26(Equestrian States). Played in World Cup 79 Qualifying; Did not play in the Cup of Harmony.
CAM #22 Jackson Oglobelo. Age 21(Abaja)
LS #6 Ennis Leishman. Age 28(New West Gallia)
RS #9 Guillermo Madruga. Age 24(Amazonesta).

2. Jinja City Football Club.
Manager: Alexander Bumba. Age 45, 5th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Corren Dankworth. Age 30(Nephara).
LB # 2 Fyodor Khalturin. Age 23(Arioslavia).
CB #15 Jio Eyawanifamni. Age 25(Abaja).
CB #13 Clarice Easter. Age 27(Chromatika)
RB #18 Yuri Poltoranin. Age 21(Arioslavia).
LM #7 Nikolay Menshikov. Age 24(Arioslavia).
CM #24 Daniel Asres. Age 28.
CM #10 Tokpah Ba. Age 32.
RM #23 Sia Fall. Age 22.
RS #9 Lin Moon. Age 26(Chromatika). Played in World Cup 79 Qualifying; did not play in World Cup Finals.
LS #11 Noah Lamont Hill. Age 29(Devonta).

3. Busukuma Athletic Club.
Manager: Sarh Sarr. Age 65; 16th & final year at club.
Formation: 3-4-3
GK #1. Ivan Ignatiev. Age 22(Arioslavia).
RB #2 Oliver Scott. Age 29(Schottia)
CB #15 Gereh Kinteh. Age 29.
LB #6 Marbue Okeke. Age 35. Captain.
LM #8 Ahmad Abdullah. Age 19(Abaja)
CDM #18 Lamie Hailemariam. Age 33.
CAM #21 Toyuwa Sall. Age 32.
RM #8 Ansu Cisse. Age 25.
LW #11 Zwana Demoz. Age 31.
ST #9 Saah Desta. Age 36.
RW #17 Melaku Afeworki. Age 31.

4. Hoima Warriors.
Manager: Jan Cassallerus(age 70). Native of San Llera. National team manager for World Cup Cycles 74-77. Second year at club.
Formation: 3-5-2.
GK #1 Chase Rushden. Age 30(Nephara).
LB #5 Idowu Kwandani. Age 30.
CB #4 Wenceslaw. Age 25(Cosumar).
RB #19 Kofa Toure. Age 30.
LM #13 Julian Turner. Age 24(Dunnes).
CM #14 Samba Ndaw. Age 23.
CM #22 Flomo Osei. Age 32.
RM #6 John Katumba.Captain. Age 34.
CAM #10 Marbue Owusu. Age 23.
LS #7 Andrey Soltykov. Age 21(Arioslavia).
RS #11 Mamo Berehunu. Age 32.

5. Mynda Soccer Club.
Manager: Jose Gonzalez(Amazonesta). Age 62, 3rd year at the club.
Starters: 4-4-2
GK #1 Zinnah Ndiaye. Age 28.
RB #2 Barry Horlock. Age 31(Nephara).
CB #4 Samson Gashi. Age 28.
CB #5 Saa Mensah. Age 29. Twin brother of Blama Mensah.
LB #3 Blama Mensah. Age 29. Twin brother of Saa Mensah.
RM #17 Okonkwo Okparro. Age 20.
CM #15 Trokon Sesay. Age 28.
CM #12 Miguel Freitas. Age 32(Amazonesta). Captain.
LM #8 Kwame Gebremichael. Age 30.
LS #11 Sarh Sane. Age 31.
RS #9 Meherka Edris. Age 31.

6. Umbazi Metropolitan Sporting Club.
Manager: Yafet Kahsai. Age 51, 4th year at club.
Starters: 5-3-2 w/ sweeper
GK #1 Assefa Berhane. Age 25.
RB #2 Siafa Diop. Age 26.
CB #5 Simon Wanjala. Age 36.
SW #3 Hatabu Ouattara. Age 21.
CB #4 Jalang Ba. Age 20.
LB #12 Saa Osei. Age 35.
LM #25 Asa Sylla. Age 25.
CM #8 John Tewedros. Age 31. Captain.
RM #17 Ervin Jon-Mikel. Age 29(Abaja)
LS #7 Vicente Bernardes. Age 31(Amazonesta).
RS #11 Demetro Laterza. Age 25(Juvencus).

7. Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club.
Manager: Iphicrates Bella, Age 45, 3rd year at club.
Starters: 3-3-3-1.
GK #1 Ke Linkenhorne. Age 27(The Askari Union).
RB #2 Obey Chidiebere. Age 19.
CB #3 Chikondi Tokodoni. Age 33.
LB #14 Eniola Afolayan. Captain. Age 36.
CDM #15 Chinasa Arendse. Age 32. Younger brother of former men's national team right back Tamandani Arendse.
RCM #12 Ihejirika Akachi. Age 31.
LCM #11 Jumaane Folami. Age 30.
RW #7 Kobina Irsay. Age 31.
CAM #10 Nathaniel Yisake. Age 32.
LW #8 Thoko Kgosi. Age 30.
ST #9 Bruno Rodrigues. Age 30(Amazonesta).

8. The Lwanga Lions.
Manager: Vincent Wilson. Age 37. 2nd year at club. Former captain of Banijan national team.
Starters: 4-2-1-3
GK #1 Leandro Garcia. Age 31(Amazonesta). Captain.
RB #2 Beheilu Dessalegne. Age 31.
CB #4 Assefa Roni. Age 31.
CB #5 Negus Kebede. Age 25.
LB #6 Kirubel Ayele. Age 31.
RCM #20 Basant Servaia. Age 24.
LCM #25 Assi Finhas. Age 30.
CAM #10 Natnael Dagmawi. Age 29.
LW #7 Yemane Bessufekad. Age 31.
ST #9 Gizaw Mignote. Age 32.
RW #11 Josef Lawerenz. Age 17(Equestrian States).

9. Askatasuna Football Club.
Manager: Protesilaus Soter. Age 69, 10th year at the club.
Starters: 4-4-2
GK #1 Hakim Gukssa. Age 24.
RB #2 Melku Atikem. Age 30.
CB #5 Eba Zeru. Age 33
CB #4 Barnabas Abdimelech. Captain. Age 34.
LB #18 Malek Abdullah(Huda). Age 30.
LM #17 Diego Furtado. Age 29(Amazonesta).
CM # 13 Michael Negasso. Age 30.
CM #15 Alem Bekira. Age 30.
RM #12 Martin Lucey. Age 18(Dunnes).
RS #7 Alulawe Ju. Age 28(Abaja)
LS #11 Rada Ezera. Age 24.

10. Kitara Athletic Association.
Manager: Flip Kollias. Age 59, 5th year at club.
Starters: 3-3-1-3
GK #1 Sago Nagatomo. Age 23(Hinode)
RB #2 Enzo Capistran. Age 35(Amazonesta).
CB #15 Melech Gersem. Age 28.
LB #19 Abraham Godefai. Age 22.
LM #11 Abraham Akampurira. Age 34. Captain.
CDM #14 Thomas Owen. Age 21(Audioslavia)
RM #8 Mekbib Asmelash. Age 30.
CAM #10 Francis Getachew. Age 32.
LW #7 Habtamu Girma. Age 35.
ST #9 Zewedu Alemayehu. Age 33.
RW #8 Taye Negasso. Age 31.

11. Istria City Football Club.
Manager: Erechtheus Condos. Age 69, 6th year at club.
Starters: 4-2-3-1
GK #1 Gabriel Negus. Age 33.
RB #2 Ephrem Selassiee. Age 18.
CB #5 Maximiliane Purcell(Nephara). Age 23.
CB #4 Noah Geteye. Age 24.
LB #18 Gregory Hatzis. Age 36. Captain.
CDM #19 Robel Abeselome. Age 29.
CDM #15 Bullo Afework. Age 31.
LM #7 Abram Senay. Age 32.
CAM #10 Girma Asmelash. Age 28.
RM #11 Addis Anwar. Age 28.
ST #9 Assefa Yitebarke. Age 23.

12. Aissa United Football Club.
Manager: Gregory Banis, Age 53. 4th year at club.
Starters: 5-4-1
GK #1 Yonas Tolla. Age 34.
RWB #2 Bona Demessie. Age 31.
RCB #15 Gathu Wamiti. Age 27.
CB #15 Osmar Tavares da Silva. Age 26(Amazonesta).
LCB #17 Eduardo Val De La Salles. Age 20(Amazonesta)
LB #7 Travis Cherenebereck. Age 24.
RM #18 Amde Melos. Age 28.
CM #8 Amare Degu. Age 32. Captain.
CM #10 Oromo Berhanu. Age 33.
LM #23 Gabriel Teoflyos. Age 32.
ST #9 Kawsu Mboge. Age 29.

13. Isipongo Flash.
Manager: Chuka Belonwu. 41 years old, 1st year at club.
Starters: 4-3-2-1
GK #1 Alan Namara. Age 37.
RB #2 Abesalom Anwar. Age 33.
CB #5 Malo Izijurim. Age 26(Abaja)
CB #4 Jayce Howard. Age 29(Brenicia)
LB #14 Raphael Wendimu. Age 27.
LM #7 Youssef Negasi(Huda). Age 30.
CM #18 Raul Fanudes. Age 32(Amazonesta).
RM #17 Elias Bayou. Age 31.
RCAM #20 Lebna Ephram. Age 29.
LCAM #10 Kezekia Mulogo. captain. Age 37.
ST #9 Akena Kenyatta. Age 33.

14. Dukuma Sporting Club.
Manager: Sisay Tesfaye. 42 years old. 1st year at club.
Starters: 4-4-2 diamond.
GK #1 Janko Jawara. Age 36.
RB #14 Émerson Morais. Age 28.
CB #5 Gedeyon Debebe. Age 31.
CB #6 Amde Gersem. Age 32.
LB #23 Baslios Fisseha. Age 28.
CDM #21 Yonas Benti. Captain. Age 37.
LM #7 Kinuthia Warari. Age 28.
RM #18 Ivanildo. Age 28(Amazonesta)
CAM #10 Andre Mesay. Age 28.
RS #19 Girum Mikias. Age 26.
LS #9 Belai Kebede. Age 30.

15. Rukunbi Football Club.
Manager: Teague Spanos. Age 59, 7th year at club.
Starters: 4-3-3
GK #1 Dawit Berhanu. Age 36.
RB #2 Dembo Jawara. Captain.Age 32.
CB #5 Berhane Abdikarim. Age 32. (Twin brother of Henoke Abdikarim).
CB #3 Henoke Abdikarim. Age 32. (Twin brother of Berhane Abdikarim).
LB #12 Anwar Elshaday. Age 30.
LM #13 Menkir Teka. Age 31.
CM #10 Addis Medr. Age 27.
RM #6 Kahu Meherka. Age 31.
LW #11 Amir Bezuayehu. Age 34.
ST #9 Amanuel Bsrat. Age 24.
RW #24 Robel Beselot. Age 25.

16. Lakiska Sporting Club.
Manager: Ambros Macris. Age 63, 6th year at club.
Starters: 4-5-1
GK #1 Zachariah Elmer. Age 26(Nephara).
RB #2 Noah Abdimelech. Age 31.
CB #5 Bezerra Lemos. Age 21(Amazonesta)
CB #4 Gabriel Braga. Age 26(Amazonesta)
LB #19 Zeru Beryihun. Age 23.
LM #7 Markos Dalu. Age 27.
CM #15 Joseph Zekulu. Age 34. Captain.
CDM #18 Joseph Williamson. Age 22.
CM #14 Nathan Brehanu. Age 32.
RM #8 Ezekiel Wakayo. Age 29.
ST #9 Ousman Babaja. Age 21.

17. Busukuma Force.
Manager: Tibebu Eyoel. 67 years old. 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Meles Asmerom. Age 33.
RB #13 Zekulu Bullo. Age 32.
CB #5 Jack Fayne. Age 30(Nephara).
CB #4 Tesheme Yalaxow. Age 32.
LB #14 Ensa Camara. Age 20.
RM #17 Abdul Ramaas. Age 32.
CM #14 Chase Page. Age 33(Nephara). Captain.
LCM #15 Fabio Hamamura. Age 24(Amazonesta)
LM #8 Ansu Araya. Age 32.
RS #11 Meba Keya. Age 33.
LS #9 Mateo Keepton. Age 30(Nephara)

18. Herzegovina Phoenix.
Manager: Motuma Essayas. Age 64. 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-3-3(defensive)
GK #1 Gersem Markos. Age 31.
RB #2 Vastyn Tredillick. Age 23(Ceni).
CB #3 Yafet Fekadu. Age 32. Captain.
CB #5 Eba Feleke. Age 29.
LB #4 Aaron Eyob. Age 31.
RDM #15 Israel Dejene. Age 32.
LDM #14 Fasika Boru. Age 31.
CM #8 Lucia Silkemark. Age 23(Nephara)
LW #7 Baslios Temesgen. Age 26.
ST #9 Chase Pershing. Age 32(Brenecia).
RW #12 Kayin Meseret. Age 30.

19. Busembe Timberwolves.
Manager: Zemenfes Nataye. Age 68. 4th year at club.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK #1 Neway Kidane. Age 36.
RB #2 Berihu Temesgen. Age 23.
CB #4 Mebreatu Abay. Age 32.
CB #5 Abate Brehanu. Age 24.
LB #3 HIstero Golazo. Age 28(Amazonesta).
RM #7 Melaku Tesfa. Age 28/
CM #19 Julio Leal. Age 34(Amazonesta). Captain.
CM #12 Kebede Henoke. Age 32.
LM #8 Ruphael Getachew. Age 33.
RS #11 Brendon Ediomgi. Age 32(Abaja)
LS #9 Idi Ndour. Age 32.

20. Bwubanza City Soccer Club.
Manager: Tessema Negasi. Age 61. 2nd year at club.
Formation: 3-1-3-3
GK #1 Dawit Iskinder. Age 38.
RB #14 Gedarm Tewodros. Age 33.
CB #4 David Bzuayehu. Age 31.
LB #18 Mebrete Essayas. Age 33.
CDM #21 Awash Menasse. Age 32. Captain.
RM #17 Mekdem Mesfin. Age 31.
CM #18 Amare Iskinder. Age 31.
LM #12 Basliel Berhanu. Age 32.
RW #7 Alanso Tamba. Age 20..
ST #9 Manasses Teshome. Age 25.
LW #11 Phineas Antwell. Age 20(Cosumar)

by **Banija** » Tue Jan 09, 2018 7:00 pm

Banijan Regional League System- Preview

Corizova United celebrate previous season's Northwestern League Title

BUSUKUMA- We officially have the first season coming under way in just under a few weeks of Banija's 4 major regional leagues becoming full charter members of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association. Of course, as we know, there is no promotion and relegation in Banija- not at this level, nor, indeed, at any level. The way to move up was to buy in. Four seasons ago, of course, certain members broke away from their regional leagues to establish the Banijan Soccer League. They took a risk in doing so, leaving their traditional matchups, and it has been an unqualified success. After expanding by four in their second season, they are pat at 20. But now, the RBSA is looking to establish the growth and development of talent in this country, both at the club level and the international level.

They have figured the best way to do this is to raise the level of play within the country. Of course, for that, they are taking the four major regional leagues, and putting them on the pyramid. After consultations with UICA officials, the four regional leagues will maintain their setup and format, and will all be independently sanctioned as Division 2 leagues. From that point, however, member clubs will have the opportunity to earn a spot in the Serie B Champions Cup, one of the major international club tournaments. This, of course, will be the first time Banijan clubs are eligible for it, as they have never had an officially sanctioned Division 2 league, and a formal pyramid. The four league champions will enter into a tournament, with format yet to be decided, to decide the three entires. It is confirmed that the tournametn will only be for league champions, as RBSA officials said it 'didn't make sense' to expand the tournament to non-champions and reward teams for not winning a league title.

This move was well received by pundits and stakeholders all across Banija, as a way to raise the level of play, and get domestic players more opportunities to play at a higher level of competition. The opportunity was massive with Al Qurija as well- The Royal Banijan Soccer Association reached an agreement with the Al Qurija association, a squad that finished fourth in the most recent Baptism of Fire, where every single member of their national team will be playing in Banija's leagues. This, they hope, will give the leagues stature and interest outside of Banija, especially in Al Qurija, and they hope it will allow the regional leagues to raise the quality of play.

Northwestern League
The Northwestern League has 8 teams from Moravica, and 4 from the Busoga Islands. Corizova United are the early favorites to take home the league title, though, of course, teams like Barmos United and AFC Kosactus are right behind. The team to watch here, is the Tripoli Foresters. They finished in dead last, but they are a team to watch out for. Like the other Busoga Island squads, they have 10 players from the islands and one from Al Qurija. But this is a team with a compelling story. The Foresters are actually the oldest club, at any level, in Banijan soccer. It's an interesting tidbit of information. They hired former national team player Josiah Buba as their manager after firing their previous manager, and have an interesting mix of veterans and youngsters. They are capable of shooting up the table, and while they won't challenge for a Serie B Champions Cup spot, they will look to finish midtable as they try to wrestle control from the Moravica sides.

The Moravica sides, interestingly enough, have a stranglehold on this league. While they have 8 teams to the Islands' 4, they also occupied the top 4 places last season, while the Islands had spots 5, 7, 10, and 12. Moravica, of course, is Banija's largest and richest region, with both its oldest and most populous cities, so that is to be expected. Corizova United have Al Qurija starting goalkeeper Ayman Jawdat Sultan as well. It will be an interesting season. The Moravica sides will undoubtedly claim the top 3 or 4 spots again, but it will be a compelling campaign.

Southern League
What is possibly the most intriguing league to watch. The Mukegara Warriors have always been an interesting watch- they are a team from a small tribe, Mukegara, of 50,000 people. They, of course, worship the sitting Head of State of the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. The legend goes something like this- The Mukegara always believed that their God, who looked like a man but would be divine, would appear to them, but live elsewhere. Upon the Quebecois Monarch's visit at the time, they beileved that to be the answer to their legends. The Mukegara have worshipped the Head of that House ever since. And the current head, of course, is Jacques IX. Thieer stadium name switches to the name of the serving Monarch.

They are unique in that only members of their tribe can play for this team. As they have such a small population to draw from, they have generally struggled in league play. They produce entertaining goals, but in terms of a real threat, have never won this league in 90 years. Who can actually win this league? The Boulders are an excellent squad. With excellent youth and energy up front, and names like Suhayl Mostafa Ahmed from Al Qurija, they have the ability to actually go out and win this league again. The Pumbasa Bears, however, must be the odds on favorites. They are young, with 4 players aged 21 or younger. They have invested in scouts, scouring across the middle tiers of the Equestrian States to get a talent like Thorley Ralston to anchor the back line, while Al Qurijan international Narciso Campo plays on the outside. With players across the pitch up and coming, while others are in their primes, they will look to make sure that it's their year this year.

Northern League
And for the True North. Even though Igulu City FC finished in seventh place last season, they are the team to beat. They own one of the largest stadiums in the regional league system, with a stadium that is filled to capacity at 18,600, on a weekly basis. They are a proud squad. They have 6 players between the ages of 28 and 31- in the prime of their careers. They have the know how and experience, alongside a couple of complimentary youth players. Their goalie, Eba Salam, will be extremely driven. The 34 year old skipper desperately wants to play on an international level. After a couple of unsuccessful seasons in the BSL, he is back in his hometown for what is likely to be his final couple of seasons. He will want to redeem himself, and his pride and legacy, by bringing to Igulu City what he could never bring to sides as a journeyman backup in the top flight- a league title.

Of course, this league will be as ferocious as ever. It is probably Banija's most competitive regional league. Koksho City will have a new manager for this upcoming season, but they are loaded with talent. An interesting side to watch will be the Selekawe Knights. Every single player is on the wrong side of 30, and a shocking 9 of those players are 33 or older. A squad entirely of men in the twilights of their careers? While we cannot expect much, they will try to answer this question- can you outsmart your way to a title? What they will lack in energy will surely be made up between the ears. And, of course, the intense criticism that a club nicknamed 'Retiree FC' will garner. Look for them to try to shock outsiders, to show that even in their age, they have a step or two left.

Lower Coastal League
Lastly, but definitely not least, the league that covers our nation's capitol. Capitol City Football Club has to be the favorites. The only side from our nation's capitol in this league, they have a stadium capacity of almost 30,000, which means that in terms of money, they pretty much blow all of their competition out of the water. That said, they didn't even win the league last season. But can that change? Banija's most controversial lower league side likes to buy up opponents players, and does not garner goodwill among league members. In the last round of expansion for the BSL, they lost on a slim 9-7 vote for a second capitol club to brand new club Busukuma Force, in what was widely regarded in Banijan soccer circles as a swipe at CCFC's business practices.

However, they are where they are. And other clubs will be chasing after them, though there's only one club with a chance- the defending champs, Kabokono City. In front of their 18 year old goalkeeper, who is sure to be a future stud in the BSL, they have a veteran back four. Alongside youthful energy up front with two 21 year old strikers, and a central midfield anchored by BoF participant Bahij Wafi Saab, they have an extremely talented squad. Which side between the two will win the league? It's hard to say. CCFC's money speaks for itself, but Kabokono develops better than many BSL sides, and Kilebe Road is a near fortress. Ultimately, this league will be a coin toss.

RBSA Cup
With all of the leagues covered, we go to this next question- who is most likely to make a stunning cup run? The 48 regional sides will be whittled down to 12 when the BSL clubs enter, but who can slay a giant and capture the minds and hearts of Banijan fans? While we go to our league favorites, a team we want to get back to is Kabakono City. They have the firepower to put a couple past any BSL side. Who else can, besides league favorites? Maybe the Mukegara Warriors, as we imagine they'll be taken lightly as many Banijans simply write them off due to them worshipping the monarch of Quebec.

It's hard to say. We think it's unlikely that there are any shocking cup runs this season, but that there will be in a few seasons as these sides get used to playing top caliber sides. But, of course, we know why we play the games- to see if I am wrong.

With that, our next entry before RBSA Cup Play kicks off will be the preview of the squads in the top flight!

by **Banija** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:50 pm

Banijan Outdoor Winter Olympic Qualifying

ATTAWAPISKUT, ROYAL KINGDOM OF QUEBEC- And that time of year is coming once again. The XIII Winter Olympiad is upon us, and once again, the Games will be hosted in Prescott, Electrum. This was the site, of course, of Banija's only Olympic medal ever, a gold medal by speed skater John Nampoza in the XI Winter Olympiad. Of course, how does a country that has two seasons instead of four have any winter olympic athletes at all, let alone have a winter gold medalist but have never medaled at the Summer Games?

We cannot answer that question, as we do not have the slightest clue. However, once again, the Banijan diaspora is stepping up to participate in the Winter Olympics. The Olympic Committee of Banija, after working with their counterparts in the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, have decided to host outdoor Banijan Winter Olympic qualifiers in Attawapiskut, Quebec, on their mountain ranges. Due to, of course, the lack of suitable Banijan weather to host such an event. While there is not a single native born Banijan participating in qualifying for any of the outdoor events, there are three major diaspora communities where athletes are flocking from to Attawapiskut- the diaspora in Qasden, the diaspora in the Equestrian States, and the diaspora in Quebec.

Those from Qasden usually go on the Southwestern Mountains in that country, while those from the Equestrian States train on the Harmony Mountains, which run right through the heart of that country. Of course, the Quebecois diaspora trains on a number of mountains here. The eyes of these communities will be on these events, in Quebec, to see who will represent Banija at the Winter Olympics. The Olympic Committee of Banija, of course, defaulted on payment to the University of Moravica to use their ice rink for indoor event qualifiers, so those will not be held this time around. John Nampoza will be Banija's only speed skater, but he will, of course, be entering numerous events.

There will only be qualifiers for the outdoor Olympic events.

Key to results
Those in green bold have qualified for the Winter Olympics
The abbreviation shows which diaspora community they are a member of. EQS(Equestrian States), QAS(Qasden), and QUE(Royal Kingdom of Quebec).

Outdoor Event Results

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Orjey Chi (QUE)             51:48.8
 2 Obasie Chibuike (EQS)       53:13.2
 3 Ijeawele Uchee (QAS)        53:27.7
 4 Chidie Mazzi (QAS)          54:09.2
 5 Nwankwo Jelani (EQS)        54:40.2
 6 Uchechea Okparra (EQS)      54:43.2
 7 Chimaijem Ikenna (QAS)      55:09.5
 8 Ozioma Ogbonnia (QUE)       55:17.1
 9 Uzoma Chinou (QUE)          56:22.7
10 Madu Uchy (EQS)             57:00.5

   Overall ranking
 1 Orjey Chi (QUE)             51:48.8
 2 Obasie Chibuike (EQS)       53:13.2
 3 Ijeawele Uchee (QAS)        53:27.7
 4 Chidie Mazzi (QAS)          54:09.2
 5 Nwankwo Jelani (EQS)        54:40.2
 6 Uchechea Okparra (EQS)      54:43.2
 7 Chimaijem Ikenna (QAS)      55:09.5
 8 Ozioma Ogbonnia (QUE)       55:17.1
 9 Uzoma Chinou (QUE)          56:22.7
10 Madu Uchy (EQS)             57:00.5

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Zikoranaudiodimma Chinuah (EQS)    43:22.9
 2 Chinedu Chidey (EQS)              44:12.4
 3 Chinyelu Chijindum (QUE)          44:40.1
 4 Amacheah Chydey (QAS)             45:04.8
 5 Chinweuba Chinese (QUE)           45:06.2
 6 Maduabuchim Amazu (EQS)           46:47.3
 7 Anuli Obasee (EQS)                47:03.8
 8 Chibuzo Ifeatu (EQS)              47:20.6
 9 Chinweike Afamefula (QAS)         47:25.2
10 Chimaijem Chukwuma (QAS)          48:46.7

   Overall ranking
 1 Zikoranaudiodimma Chinuah (EQS)    43:22.9
 2 Chinedu Chidey (EQS)              44:12.4
 3 Chinyelu Chijindum (QUE)          44:40.1
 4 Amacheah Chydey (QAS)             45:04.8
 5 Chinweuba Chinese (QUE)           45:06.2
 6 Maduabuchim Amazu (EQS)           46:47.3
 7 Anuli Obasee (EQS)                47:03.8
 8 Chibuzo Ifeatu (EQS)              47:20.6
 9 Chinweike Afamefula (QAS)         47:25.2
10 Chimaijem Chukwuma (QAS)          48:46.7

Banijan Qualifying
1 Agu Obike/Uwaezuoke Orjy (QAS)               52.10
2 Uchechy Okafo/Uzochi Ugochukwu (QUE)         52.42
3 Ozoemena Uche/Obasey Jelany (QAS)            52.74
4 Onuchukwu Chinwe/Chiemeka Onyekachi (EQS)    52.87
5 Okeke Munachiso/Uchechee Chijioke (QUE)      52.94

  Overall ranking
1 Agu Obike/Uwaezuoke Orjy (QAS)               52.10
2 Uchechy Okafo/Uzochi Ugochukwu (QUE)         52.42
3 Ozoemena Uche/Obasey Jelany (QAS)            52.74
4 Onuchukwu Chinwe/Chiemeka Onyekachi (EQS)    52.87
5 Okeke Munachiso/Uchechee Chijioke (QUE)      52.94

Banijan Qualifying
1 Chikanso Chydee/Udo Chydie (EQS)          52.57
2 Nkechi Ijendu/Uzochukwu Uchechea (EQS)    52.78
3 Chinaza Oluchi/Ifamah Ndidi (EQS)         52.81
4 Mgborie Obie/Ndidi Uchea (QAS)            53.73
5 Uchenna Okparra/Chidimma Nweke (QUE)      54.85

  Overall ranking
1 Chikanso Chydee/Udo Chydie (EQS)          52.57
2 Nkechi Ijendu/Uzochukwu Uchechea (EQS)    52.78
3 Chinaza Oluchi/Ifamah Ndidi (EQS)         52.81
4 Mgborie Obie/Ndidi Uchea (QAS)            53.73
5 Uchenna Okparra/Chidimma Nweke (QUE)      54.85

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Chinwendu Okparro (EQS)    1:55.91
 2 Somayina Obyke (QUE)       1:56.12
 3 Ndidi Obi (QUE)            1:56.43
 4 Chydy Obea (QAS)           1:56.67
 5 Chinedu Obasie (QUE)       1:57.17
 6 Nwoye Halim (EQS)          1:58.50
 7 Uchechy Ugoorj (QUE)       1:59.08
 8 Chidike Chidea (EQS)       1:59.09
 9 Enyinnaya Diji (EQS)       2:01.09
 — Chinese Chinweuba (QAS)        DNF

   Overall ranking
 1 Chinwendu Okparro (EQS)    1:55.91
 2 Somayina Obyke (QUE)       1:56.12
 3 Ndidi Obi (QUE)            1:56.43
 4 Chydy Obea (QAS)           1:56.67
 5 Chinedu Obasie (QUE)       1:57.17
 6 Nwoye Halim (EQS)          1:58.50
 7 Uchechy Ugoorj (QUE)       1:59.08
 8 Chidike Chidea (EQS)       1:59.09
 9 Enyinnaya Diji (EQS)       2:01.09
 — Chinese Chinweuba (QAS)        DNF

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Koba Kujabi (EQS)           1:48.86
 2 Aja Touray (QAS)            1:48.92
 3 Saijo Bah (QUE)             1:50.82
 4 Loli Diene (QUE)            1:51.44
 5 Abi Savaneh (EQS)           1:52.08
 6 Nyonkoling Sanyang (EQS)    1:52.36
 7 Jatou Marong (QUE)          1:55.15
 8 Sanji Fatty (QAS)           2:01.57
 9 Jabou Darboe (QUE)          2:02.34
 — Sirending Keita (QUE)           DNF

   Overall ranking
 1 Koba Kujabi (EQS)           1:48.86
 2 Aja Touray (QAS)            1:48.92
 3 Saijo Bah (QUE)             1:50.82
 4 Loli Diene (QUE)            1:51.44
 5 Abi Savaneh (EQS)           1:52.08
 6 Nyonkoling Sanyang (EQS)    1:52.36
 7 Jatou Marong (QUE)          1:55.15
 8 Sanji Fatty (QAS)           2:01.57
 9 Jabou Darboe (QUE)          2:02.34
 — Sirending Keita (QUE)           DNF

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Mohammed Kolley (QUE)    32.5
 2 Alifa Baldeh (QUE)       25.3
 3 Sherrif Ogoo (QUE)       23.3
 4 Jibou Ba (EQS)           20.2
 5 Hasimou Soley (QUE)      19.9
 6 Jombo Badjie (EQS)       19.4
 7 Kebba Camara (QUE)       17.4
 8 Sajo Mboge (QAS)         16.7
 9 Saihou Kayode (EQS)      12.6
10 Babou Ngum (EQS)          5.8

   Overall ranking
 1 Mohammed Kolley (QUE)    32.5
 2 Alifa Baldeh (QUE)       25.3
 3 Sherrif Ogoo (QUE)       23.3
 4 Jibou Ba (EQS)           20.2
 5 Hasimou Soley (QUE)      19.9
 6 Jombo Badjie (EQS)       19.4
 7 Kebba Camara (QUE)       17.4
 8 Sajo Mboge (QAS)         16.7
 9 Saihou Kayode (EQS)      12.6
10 Babou Ngum (EQS)          5.8

Banijan Qualifying
 1 Pahali Fatty (QAS)          33.0
 2 Jahou Mboge (QUE)           31.8
 3 Satang Turay (QUE)          27.7
 4 Musukebba Ouattara (EQS)    19.8
 5 Alimatou Sene (QUE)         18.5
 6 Nene Ndaw (EQS)             16.3
 7 Haddy Hairte (EQS)          15.7
 8 Abi Kakay (EQS)             14.0
 9 Juka Manneh (QUE)           13.6
10 Mboose Jawara (QAS)         10.8

   Overall ranking
 1 Pahali Fatty (QAS)          33.0
 2 Jahou Mboge (QUE)           31.8
 3 Satang Turay (QUE)          27.7
 4 Musukebba Ouattara (EQS)    19.8
 5 Alimatou Sene (QUE)         18.5
 6 Nene Ndaw (EQS)             16.3
 7 Haddy Hairte (EQS)          15.7
 8 Abi Kakay (EQS)             14.0
 9 Juka Manneh (QUE)           13.6
10 Mboose Jawara (QAS)         10.8

by **Banija** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:58 pm

RBSA Cup - Round 1

First competitive matches of the new 'pyramid era' in Banijan soccer kick off

Baleweye Football Club 1–0 Garixas City
Slobochia Bears 2–0 Umbazi FA
Thayaferu United 0–2 Djoro Athletic
Igulu City FC 1–0 Tezirbu Foxes
AFC Kosactus 2–0 Kigagana Mountaineers
Sororo City 0–0 Selekawe Knights (1–1 AET) (2–3 pen.)
Mamari City 0–0 Amaku City FC (0–1 AET)
Eastern Moravica Football Club 0–1 Nanami Dragons
Dodoma City SC 2–0 Taramazna United
Koksho City 0–0 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club (0–1 AET)
Capitol City Football Club 3–0 Nsade United
Abomfa United 0–1 Kabakono City
Okakameb City 0–1 Hawabark Boulders
Luguyala Patriots 1–0 Duntho Sporting Club
AFC Akwadua 1–0 Boufaya Ravens
Pumbasa Bears 1–1 Cerenus United (1–3 AET)
Gadive City 1–1 Corizova United (1–2 AET)
Tripoli Foresters 1–0 Suwawa FC
Koszagard City 2–4 Kitara Athletic Society
Busemlu Park SC 2–0 Byakado City
Jaribga Soccer Club 2–0 Barmos United
Zakuta City 0–1 Kwadama Dojo
Mukegara Warriors 2–0 AFC Okahavi
Nezrouch Rovers 1–1 Dimbogourou Sporting Club (1–1 AET) (7–8 pen.)

BUSUKUMA- The RBSA Cup, of course, is Banija's knockout stage competition. But with the expansion of sides from 20 to 68, they of course had to radically reform how the tournament was done. It was still kept as a single leg, home and away, single elimination tournament- every match played in this tournament will have a winner, unique to Banijan domestic soccer, but, of course, fans of the Kadongo Kamu went throughout the entirety of the World Cup cycle without a single draw in World Cup Qualifying, the Cup of Harmony, or any of the pre/mid/post qualifying friendlies, as the squad went 12-14.

But regardless, they have agreed on a format. The 48 Division 2 sides will be drawn, regardless of division, in the first round, against other Division 2 sides. This round, of course, will one week before regional league play kicks off, which itself occurs 3 weeks before the BSL kicks off, which kicks off later due to less of a game commitment, as well as having players abroad for international tournaments. The 24 winners will then play each other again in the 2nd round, and there will be 12 winners left. At that point, the 20 BSL sides will enter and there will be 32, who will be drawn against each irrespective of division, and the winners will move forward in each round until there are two left, who will play at the Stadium of the Restoration in the RBSA Cup Final.

With that, the first round of the RBSA Cup has been played, and obviously, for the first time, in this expanded format. 48 squads, the biggest single round ever for an RBSA Cup, and an exciting day of action. Teams travelling, many for the first time, to different parts of the country to play teams that they do not normally play. Expensive, yes, but this has excited those who are and remain fans of the lower league squads. With that, of course, we'll go through our key game roundup.

Koksho City 0–0 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club (0–1 AET)
It was mostly a slow game, but an 119th minute finish from Al Qurijan striker Umar Thamir Nagi, who was on the squad that finished in 4th place in the most recent Baptism of Fire, saw the visitors edge out the hosts at Koksho City. The winner came from a corner kick, as the striker hit home a powerful header from about 12 yards out, and the host goalkeeper didn't have a chance.

Tripoli Foresters 1–0 Suwawa FC
This game was a stunner. The Islands side scored an RBSA Cup record 11 seconds into the match, as they went forward from the word go and Josiah Buba's side won their first match with him in charge, as captain Shujaa el-Kazmi scored on an assist from 17 year old midfielder Qusay Binyamin Ajam, of Al Qurija. Even more shocking was the fact that Tripoli held for the 90 minutes afterwards. Scoring so early opens the match, but their defense clamped down. It was fairly surprising, and it was a gritty 1-0 victory.

Nezrouch Rovers 1–1 Dimbogourou Sporting Club (1–1 AET) (7–8 pen.)

Last, but not least, this stunning game. Nezrouch Rovers had a goal from striker Naasif el-Shaikh in the 88th minute, but a handball in the box by young Al Qurijan left back Ala al-Din Mahomet El-Hashem in the 90th minute led directly to a penalty, and Dimbogourou Sporting Club converted it via central striker Sabelo Ngxanga. They went to penalties, and the last two players to take penalties were the goalkeepers, both shooting 11th. Hank Llordan saved his opponent's shot, and then kept his cool and buried his shot for his side to move on in this tournament.

by **Banija** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:13 pm

Banijan Regional League System - Weeks 1-6

Midfielders from Eastern Moravica FC and Jaribga SC battle for a 50/50 ball on Matchday 5 of the Northwestern League

BUSUKUMA- And it is the kickoff of Regional League Play, as they have now played games 1-6 right before the start of the Banijan Soccer League. Of course, each regional league is 12 squads, and everybody plays everybody 4 times- twice at home and twice away, for a total of 44 games. There are no jokes when you play each other that many times- the best team, each season, will prevail. You will not consistently beat teams that are better than your squad over the course of a season such as that one, unless you are better. The familiarity is so strong between these squads, that is undoubtable.

Of course, after week 6, Round 2 of the RBSA Cup was played, and there are only 12 regional league squads left in the RBSA Cup. We are, of course, starting with the most recent set of games. Out of the 12 remaining, who are the squads most likely to be able and slay one of the giants in the BSL? How are teams doing in actual league play? Who are the four regional league sides that will lift trophies this year, and that will enter the playoff to qualify for the Serie B Champions Cup?

Regardless, now it's time to focus on actual league play. Here are the regional league roundups through 6 games.

Northwestern League

Northwest League                       Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Barmos United                        6    4   2   0    12    1  +11    14
 2 Tezirbu Foxes                        6    3   3   0    12    5   +7    12
 3 AFC Kosactus                         6    3   3   0    14    3  +11    12
 4 Suwawa FC                            6    4   0   2     9    6   +3    12
 5 Corizova United                      6    3   1   2     9    6   +3    10
 6 Jaribga Soccer Club                  6    2   2   2     7    8   −1     8
 7 Eastern Moravica Football Club       6    2   2   2     6    5   +1     8
 8 Nezrouch Rovers                      6    1   3   2     2    4   −2     6
 9 Tripoli Foresters                    6    1   2   3     7    8   −1     5
10 Slobochia Bears                      6    0   4   2     1    4   −3     4
11 Koszagard City                       6    1   1   4     9   23  −14     4
12 Taramazna United                     6    0   1   5     1   16  −15     1

There is not a ton of separation through 6 games here in the Northwestern League. There are 3 teams that haven't lost a game yet, and there are two teams that have yet to win a game. Barmos United, unsurprisingly, is in first place early, though with only 6 games played and 38 to go, it is a bit too early to read into the standings. Remember, in the regional leagues, there are no consolation prices for second place- getting first means a trophy, and a trip to the regional league playoff to play in the Serie B Champions Cup.

Perhaps the most surprising result so far is the title challenge of the Tezirbu Foxes so far. While only 6 games in, they haven't lost a game yet, earning 12 points with 3 wins and 3 draws from six games so far. With the Island sides traditionally behind the Moravica powerhouse sides, the Foxes might have a chance to make what would be an absolutely stunning push for a trophy in this league. The Foxes, led by homegrown talent 19 year old Shakeel el-Salih in the traditional #10 spot, and Al Qurijan Fihr Muhammed Bousaid anchoring the back line, are a team with a lot of youth and energy. Traditionally challengers like Barmos United should beware.

Lower Coastal League

Lower Coastal League                   Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Nsade United                         6    5   1   0     9    1   +8    16
 2 Capitol City Football Club           6    5   1   0    10    3   +7    16
 3 Zakuta City                          6    4   1   1     9    3   +6    13
 4 Baleweye Football Club               6    3   1   2     9    5   +4    10
 5 Kabakono City                        6    2   3   1     5    3   +2     9
 6 Kwadama Dojo                         6    2   1   3     3    6   −3     7
 7 Kitara Athletic Society              6    2   1   3     6   11   −5     7
 8 AFC Akwadua                          6    2   1   3     5    5    0     7
 9 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club        6    1   3   2     7    7    0     6
10 Djoro Athletic                       6    1   2   3     5    9   −4     5
11 Mamari City                          6    1   0   5     4   11   −7     3
12 Dimbogourou Sporting Club            6    0   1   5     2   10   −8     1

The Lower Coastal League is as strong as ever through their first six matches. Through this early set of games, we see two legitimate title challengers, with the potential for a third- Nsade United and CCFC have both won 5 matches and drawn 1, to get 16 points out of 18. CCFC is still in the RBSA Cup, of course, as they eliminated Nsade United in the first round of that competition with a 3-0 victory on their home ground.

Either of them being in title contention, of course, is not a shock. The real shock is that Kabakono City is in 5th place. It's only been 6 games, of course, but they ran with this league last season. What's happened? They haven't been able to integrate their foreign talent, Bahij Wafi Saab, into their squad as well as they thought they could have. They've only won twice, and drawn 3 times, showing that they don't have the tenacity to finish games and get late winners. They need to right the ship fast, however, before Nsade United and CCFC are out of reach in what seems like could be a two horse race.

The Northern League

Northern League                        Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Igulu City FC                        6    6   0   0    18    3  +15    18
 2 Cerenus United                       6    4   1   1    11    4   +7    13
 3 Nanami Dragons                       6    3   3   0     8    4   +4    12
 4 AFC Okahavi                          6    3   1   2     6    7   −1    10
 5 Duntho Sporting Club                 6    3   1   2     8    6   +2    10
 6 Garixas City                         6    2   2   2     6    4   +2     8
 7 Selekawe Knights                     6    2   1   3     3    7   −4     7
 8 Luguyala Patriots                    6    2   0   4     4    7   −3     6
 9 Gadive City                          6    2   0   4     7   12   −5     6
10 Thayaferu United                     6    1   2   3     3    7   −4     5
11 Koksho City                          6    1   1   4     3    9   −6     4
12 Okakameb City                        6    1   0   5     4   11   −7     3

Igulu City is obviously the story of the league so far. Out of the 48 teams in any of the four regional leagues, there is only one that has taken a perfect 18 points from their first possible 18- and that, of course, is Igulu City. Naturally, of course, they lost a game in the RBSA Cup, so they won't have a chance this season to slay one of the BSL giants- but they are making a case that they are one of the best squads in the regional league system. Taking 18 from a possible 18 with a +15 goal difference shows that this team is playing on fire. Winning 3-0 away from home on matchdays 1 and 2? Striker Kenyatta Mũraya , who is 22, has a shocking 9 goals in six games.

Igulu City's domination so far is not the only storyline, however. Interestingly enough, this is the only league out of the four where every single team has won at least one game. That means there is parity and strength in this league. They also scouted and found Kóri Vacík from deep inside the Equestrian pyramid, and he leads the league with 6 assists through 6 games. That club is a well oiled machine, and they will be tough to dethrone, even if there is plenty of time to do so.

Southern League

Southern League                        Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Umbazi FA                            6    5   1   0    10    2   +8    16
 2 Hawabark Boulders                    6    4   2   0     9    1   +8    14
 3 Mukegara Warriors                    6    3   3   0    10    3   +7    12
 4 Boufaya Ravens                       6    3   0   3     7    8   −1     9
 5 Sororo City                          6    2   3   1    11    8   +3     9
 6 Dodoma City SC                       6    2   2   2     8    5   +3     8
 7 Pumbasa Bears                        6    1   5   0     4    3   +1     8
 8 Abomfa United                        6    1   3   2     4    3   +1     6
 9 Busemlu Park SC                      6    1   3   2     8    8    0     6
10 Amaku City FC                        6    1   2   3     8   12   −4     5
11 Kigagana Mountaineers                6    0   1   5     7   20  −13     1
12 Byakado City                         6    0   1   5     3   16  −13     1

This looks like it will be the closest league out of the 4. Umbazi FA has won 5 and drawn 1 from their first six, but nobody really expects them to maintain their current form over the course of the entire season. But who is the real surprise of the season? The Mukegara Warriors. The backwater squad, made up entirely of tribesmen who worship the Quebecois Head of State, the successors of King Pierre Henri, who (obviously) doesn't even claim to be a God.

Easily one of the most ridiculed tribes in Banija, the Mukegara are often seen as a laughinstock. However, nobody is laughing now that they are in 3rd place. What's going right for Banija's only club that is built directly on ethnic lines? They are defending well, and are making sure not to fall behind. They have not trailed once in this young season. Can we keep our eye on them to see if they win the league? They won't be making a stunning cup run through the RBSA Cup, but you never know with this squad.

RBSA Cup - Round 2

RBSA Cup - Round 2
Ogbordu Diamond Football Club 2–0 Luguyala Patriots
Cerenus United 3–0 Mukegara Warriors
Nanami Dragons 2–1 Kwadama Dojo
Slobochia Bears 1–1 Igulu City FC (2–1 AET)
Jaribga Soccer Club 2–4 Baleweye Football Club
Capitol City Football Club 4–0 Selekawe Knights
AFC Akwadua 0–2 Corizova United
Hawabark Boulders 1–1 Busemlu Park SC (1–1 AET) (3–2 pen.)
Kitara Athletic Society 1–0 Tripoli Foresters
Dodoma City SC 0–1 Djoro Athletic
AFC Kosactus 3–1 Kabakono City
Amaku City FC 0–0 Dimbogourou Sporting Club (0–0 AET) (4–5 pen.)

Round 3 will be the round of 32, and the entrance of the BSL sides, This will happen, of course, after week 8 of the Banijan Soccer League, which coincides with week 14 of regional league play. There are 12 sides left from the regional league system, and they will be the first to try to slay the BSL sides in the RBSA Cup. How will the draw turn out? Will anyone have a serious chance of actually getting to the Round of 16 who currently plays in a regional league?

Capitol City Football Club has to be the biggest threat, as Igulu City is eliminated. It all depends, of course, on the draw. CCFC is the strongest side, but if they draw Herzegovina City FC, you can kiss their hopes goodbye. If any of these sides are lucky enough to draw either the Lwanga Lions or Dukuma SC, they will thank their lucky stars, as those are clearly the two least talented squads in the Banijan Soccer League.

In terms of the most exciting Round 2 matches, Dimbogourou Sporting Club won in penalties for the second straight round. Their luck has to run out eventually, but they'll enjoy their cup run and the publicity that comes with them getting the chance to slay a real giant- a BSL side. This will be an exciting tournament, and the RBSA should see on the bottom line that their format changes, adding the regional league sides, will undoubtedly benefit Banijan club soccer for both the short run and the long.

by **Banija** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:55 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 5 Preview

With the regional league system well underway, the Banijan Soccer League is set to begin play here this weekend for Matchday 1! Here, at the All-Banija Sports Magazine, we are here to give the authoritative, team-by-team preview on what is looking like will be a crucial season in terms of Banijan soccer. It comes on the heels on quite a few ups and downs for Banijan soccer- losing 3 of their first four qualifiers, then winning 8 of 9, including home wins against both world cup qualifiers from their group, Eshan and delivering Chromatika their only qualification loss since World CUp 77 qualifiers, but then losing 4 of their last 5 qualifiers, including an embarassing 1-0 away loss to Lambdasia. The national team, of course, seemed to wear down.

And then, unfortunately, an extremely disappointing showing at the Cup of Harmony, where they finished solidly all alone in last place. Of course, it was a non-international transfer window summer, so rosters look largely the same as they were before, but there were a few coaching changes, and most importantly, a major move for the man who wears the #1 for the Kadongo Kamu.

Listed in predicted order of finish
1. Herzegovina City Football Club.
Can they do the unthinkable- get a threepeat? They participated in Champions Cup soccer last time around, and they followed it up by winning their second straight BSL title, and they did it by one point, with Jinja City on their tails and both teams winning their last 6 games. Herzegovina City FC has arrived, and they have what is arguably the most talented squad in the country. In what will be longtime captain Alaji Kabbah's final season, the 36 year old will look to write himself into Banijan recordbooks by becoming the first captain to threepeat the league title. Can they do so?

Even in what is usually a quiet summer, the one immediately after the World Cup Finals, Herzegovina City FC made a big splash when they finally lured Delbin Kasekende from his hometown club, Dukuma SC, to the two-time defending league champs? Teams have been going after him for years, and he has never budged. He has faithfully played for his hometown club, with no hope of winning a title with Banija's worst-run franchise. The two-time defending champs have added the league's best goalkeeper to the mix? Look out.

The only thing that should worry fans of this squad is the status of Kolt Freegan. He is entering the final year of his contract, and this is his 9th season at Star Field. He has won the last two league titles, and with BSL sides still a ways away from being able to seriously compete for international trophies, he has done all he can do domestically. With the door seemingly shut on coaching the national team, as Randolf Cherry is extremely liked by fans and by the executives at the association, he may be looking to coach elsewhere next season.

2. Hoima Warriors.
The Orlando Juarez experiment was an absolute disaster. After the Hoima Warriors, the premier franchise in Banijan sports, were in last place after 7 games, former Kadongo Kamu manager Jan Cassallerus stepped in to right the ship. At his advanced age, he is confirmed that he will coach this season, and that it will be his final season as a manager, before he goes back to his home country of San Llera to retire. Jan Cassallerus has accomplished a lot in Banija- took a last place team to a 5th place finish, and they are back where they feel they should be- in the conversation to win another championship.

Can Cassallerus really take them back to the peak? Nobody really knows. Kolt Freegan seems to have an iron grip on the top, and like most teams, the Hoima Warriors were not able to make any changes to their squad this past summer. We don't think they will reach the peak this season, as Herzegovina City FC is at that point, but they will expect to be playing in the UICA next summer. While two summers ago they were in the Vilitian Cover Invitational, they want to aim higher. They should be able to qualify for the Globe Cup this upcoming summer.

3. Jinja City Football Club.
Another season, and Jinja City Football Club is looking to qualify for yet more UICA competition; this time, the Globe Cup. While they are the third and final team with what we believe to be a serious opportunity at claiming a trophy, we have predicted that they will once again be passed by the Hoima Warriors, and that they will get third. Alexander Bumba has a talented squad at his disposal- with Lin Moon and Noah Lamont HIll leading the front line, this team can score.

What will the team look like going forward? Well, while Lin Moon seems to be here for the long-term, the same is not true for the Devontan striker next to him. Will he stay on Jinja City? Or move right? Jinja City is Banija's club with the most international flavor, with 8 foreign nationals in the starting lineup, and only three Banijans(though two of those three were on the final 23 for the Cup of Harmony). Bumba will be under pressure to get more domestic talent, so expect players like Easter and Hill to be fighting to prove their value to the squad, so they aren't sold off to a mid-table squad.

4. Busukuma Athletic Club.
The capitol club. They've had a number of close calls, and have always been in Banija's upper echelon of squads, but have never quite put it all together to win a championship. Their manager is in his 16th and final season, and they will be trying to send off the legend with the squad's first Banijan Soccer League championship. Can they do it? Former Kadongo Kamu legend Saah Desta, is #3 on the all-time scoring list for the Kadongo Kamu, with 21 international goals.

Saah Desta is leading the front line, but he is all of 36 years old. With 31 year old wingers on either side of him, "Grandpa FC" will be the nickname for this squad this season. This team has six players over the age of 30, which can be taken one of two ways. One, that the team is filed with wiley veterans who will have a desperate will to win, or two, that the team is simply too old to create a sustained title challenge over the course of the season. We'll see which is right. If the 36 year old striker can regain his old form, then this team will be as dangerous as any.

5. Istria City Football Club.
Of course, there are five main clubs in Banija that are really fighting over the UICA spots, but at the moment, the Banijan Soccer League only has four spots. Which means, of course, somebody is going to be left out every year. This season, we predict that the first team out will be the side from Banija's largest city.

This is a quality side with quality in the youth ranks, a teenager at right back, and a pair of center backs that are under the age of 25, one found from the bowels of the Nepharim pyramid. But do they have the firepower to keep up with the rest of the Super 5 clubs, the biggest clubs from Banija's five biggest cities? We think not. They have a chance to overtake Busukuma AC for the long-term, but the race between the capitol club and Banija's largest club from its largest city will be interesting, though the desperateness of the capitol club's star player and coach both in their final season should be enough for them to eke out a top four finish, even if they won't win the trophy that has eluded both of them so many times.

6. Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club.
With former national team right back Arendse moving on from the club, to spend the twilight of his career plying his trade in India following his retirement from the Kadongo Kamu, Bunyoro RSC look to turn the page onto a new era. This is the first of a series of clubs that we believe will finish in the mid-table spots, spots 6-15. Can they replace their former star right back? He was aging, and is now 35, so they now turn to attempting to develop the next great Banijan right back, the teenager.

This team's greatest weakness is its age. They have one teenager starting at right back, and a 27 year old in the net. The other 9 players on this squad are aged between 30 and 36. This team is simply too old to make some sort of title challenge. So with those limitations, why do we expect them to claim sixth place? We expect the age to be a positive thing. Experience matters, and players like Bruno Rodrigues really know how to finish. Expect an extremely active transfer window for them following the season, however, as they will need to get younger quickly.

7. Isipongo Flash.
The isipongo Flash will be an interesting watch this season. They finished eighth last season, and we expect them to move up exactly one spot in the standings. They will be an interesting watch, as they have gotten a new manager. Instead of waiting for the international market to open up during the transfer window, they got a manager in the summer before UICA play begins, and they will give him a chance to get a season under his belt before beginning to transform what the squad looks like.

He will have some interesting decisions to make after the decision. But this will be a season mostly of evaluation for the young manager. Not evaluating older players like Mulogo, Namara, and Kenyatta, who are surely headed for the exits, but for evaluating who on this squad he wants to keep. Can this kind of squad that he has inherited deliver? Or will he tear it all up at the end of the season? It's hard to tell, but they will be an interesting follow from that aspect alone.

8. Askatasuna Football Club.
Our first bold stray from the Season 4 standings! The club that was the inaugural winner of the RBSA Cup, as well as the club that produced Banijan international Chibuzo Afolayan, before selling him for a massive transfer fee to rising Nepharim powerhouse club AFC Corvistone, we predict to move up a few spots in the standings. We think that they will finish eighth. Why such confidence in a side that, obviously, didn't have a chance to make any moves in the transfer market?

Askatasuna FC has some talented players. They developed Afolayan, and now have an 18 year old Martin Lucey that has been with them for a season already. Look at him to have a chance at being the best under-23 Banijan player in this league. His manager has said that his talent is "off the charts... it just needs to be refined". Askatasuna FC has a veteran backline as well, so they are capable of doing some damage away from home. Not title contenders, obviously, but they are set to have a fairly decent season.

9. Bwubanza City Soccer Club.
There are no other words for this- this is just about as bold a pick as they come. Bwubanza City SC to have their first ever top half finish? That would be stunning, but it is indeed quite possible. Now, there are many reasons to not pick them to succeed- they have 8 players above 30, their manager is only in their second year, and, like most clubs, didn't have a chance to make any moves as there was no international transfer window this summer.

But what is going for them? First, Iskinder. The 38 year old got his first, and likely his last, international cap in a pre-CoH friendly against the Equestrian States. He helped back up Kasekende at the Cup of Harmony. While he was a shocking choice, it is a testament to his talent levels. And then, of course, look up front. Their front 3 is set for many seasons to come, with a pair of 20 year old wingers in Phineas Antwell & Alanso Tamba, and a 25 year old central striker Manasses Teshome. If they can have a couple of good young signings in the next window, they are a time that people should watch out for.

10. Umbazi Metropolitan Sporting Club.
A squad captained by John Tewedros always has a fighting chance, as his spirit and brains are some of the key reasons that this squad was able to accomplish what they did during World Cup Qualifying. However, the talent on this team isn't there for much more than a perfect mid-table finish. Former national team center back Simon Wanjala is in teh defense, though it is anchored by the young, 21 year old sweeper Hatabu Ouattara.

Their most interesting addition, of course, is reigning Cup of Harmony 71 champion Demetro Laterza. The 25 year old striker is inconsistent, but he scored in the Cup of Harmony semifinals, showing that he is a player that can step up in big moments. We'll see what kind of flexibility he brings to this side, but the jury remains to be seen how much of an impact he can have in the Banijan Soccer League.

11. Herzegovina Phoenix.
Six to eleventh? What gives, you ask? Well, we believe that the manager is going to grow stale and old here, and we predict that he'll shortly be fired before season's end. But why such the tumble in the league standings? We're not sure if the Phoenix success last season was truly sustainable. Yes, two season ago, they won the RBSA Cup and went to the Cygnus Cup Winners Cup, while following that up with a sixth place finish. That meant they were for real, right?

Not all is well at the suburban outfit in Herzegovina City. Baslios Temesgen, their best player, is clearly unhappy there, and wants a move, and will likely get one. That could cause some disruption. The manager has clashed publicly with team owners, and we expect him to be gone. The power struggle between the manager and Club President Yoweri Rodinga will likely come to a head, and we don't imagine that this will have good effects on the field for the franchise.

12. Busukuma Force.
The other capitol club. They had a very disappointing finish last season, finishing in the bottom 3. In many countries, that would have meant relegation, but as is always true in Banija, that does not exist in this country for a multitude of reasons. It was, frankly, an embarrassing season, and showed the gulf between the two clubs in the nation's capitol.

We believe that they will play themselves back towards respectability this season. They have a trio of Nepharim veterans, one at each level, who will lead this team. Chase Page is the captain, and he is a warrior who simply keeps on fighting. This is a team too that will have to play with pride, as players will try and avoid getting cut as the club inevitably looks to get younger in the upcoming international transfer window.

13. Kitara Athletic Association.
We believe that this squad will finish in 13th place this year. Another mid-table finish for the Kitara Athletic Association, and that is to be expected. They have talent, but they also have flaws. The talent is evident in their all-purpose captain, Abraham Akampurira, who plays on the left side. The workhorse has a higher workrate than anybody in the league, and he brings a winning mentality to the squad.

Unfortunately, the talent simply isn't there to finish in the top half of the table. A team with Thomas Owen, Francis Getachew, and Mekbib Asmelash won't scare anybody, They are decent players, yes, but they are not going to go out and beat the big clubs. Ultimately, like quite a few clubs, this is a team that is headed into the season with more questions than answers, and as the window is coming up after the season, will spend much of the season evaluating, seeing what they can do to improve.

14. Mynda Soccer Club.
The team with the twins in the back seem to also be a mid-table side. The captain is a grizzled midfielder from ally Amazonesta, a seasoned veteran. But the interesting thing, most unfortunately for its fans, about this club is not what is happening on the field. It is what is going on behind the scenes.

A financial catastrophe is happening for one BSL side, and Mynda SC is caught up in the center. It turns out members of the club had been faking their books for months, and once an RBSA audit took place, it looks as if the Mynda Soccer Club is almost ready for bankruptcy. While player and staff salaries have been guaranteed, this time of financial instability and uncertainty has got to be a worrying proposition. What happens if the club goes into bankruptcy? What happens to its players? Its assets? The stadium? They are a must follow for that reason, but all that will leak onto the field, which is why we have projected them to fall a few spots.

15. Aissa United Football Club.
A team that is extremely stout defensively, with a former Kadongo Kamu goalkeeper in the ranks, as well as some center backs from Amazonesta. But they simply mask the problem that the rest of us know about- that the squad can't score. With just the lone striker, and not much help from the midfield, they like to pack it in. But Mboge can only run around so much.

Ultimately, we do not expect much from this squad- they are a mid table squad, and that is where we expect them to finish. They will fall a few places down from last season, but ultimately, not too far from expectation. Anywhere between 9th and 15th is a reasonable expectation for this club, and that is an area that they are set to be in for both the short and the long-term.

16. Busembe Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves are back. Even though they were a mid-table club last season, we expect them to fall a couple of spots, into the bottom quarter of teams in the league. They are captained by a 34 year old Julio Leal. Even though he was a great player for a long time... It is still Julio Leal far past his prime. Not only that, but he is joined by a 32 year old right next to him in central midfield, who are behind a pair of 32 year old strikers up front. Do you sense a theme here?

That kind of roster building is not a recipe for success. The Timberwolves are not going to have a great season, and everybody knows it. Expect them to limp through the season, but it is quite possible that we could get a shock RBSA Cup run out of them- you never know what might happen in cup play, do you? Askatasuna FC and the Phoenix have both won the RBSA Cup yet have never even sniffed the top four, so you never know. It could be time for a more "random" club to win that prestigious trophy.

17. Lakiska Sporting Club.
If these predictions are right, this 17th place side would be the best club in the Busoga Islands. Which shows you the state of soccer over there on those islands. Last season, their clubs finished 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th, respectively, in the Northwestern League, while Lakiska SC finished 17th and Dukuma SC finished 19th. Those soccer teams are simply trouble.

The only thing they got going for them is a young man named Ousman Babaja. The 21 year old striker is one of the youngest strikers in the league, and just for that, he will get a look from scouts across the league. Multiple teams could use a striker, and the fact that he's home-bred makes him that much more attractive. If Babaja can make an impact this season, it is quite possible that he seeks greener pastures than the islands.

18. Rukunbi Football Club.
The worst club in Banija's biggest city, and that is not a good thing, considering that Istria City FC has played in the UICA once before. This is yet another team with a multitude of players who are above 30, with 8 players being above that magic number. Their youngest player is 24. What they have to look forward to, essentially, is the Istria City derby. istria City FC and Rukunbi FC is probably the biggest local derby in Banija, as both teams have such a long history with each other, while HZCFC's and Busukuma AC's rivals both joined the BSL via expansion.

Their fans are an entertaining bunch, and they want to desperately catch their downtown rivals. The real question, of course, is how long can Spanos last. He consistently fields teams that finish in the bottom 5; how many bottom 5 finishes does it take to get the can? Don't expect much from this side this season.

19. The Lwanga Lions.
Vincent Wilson's first season as a manager could not have been worse. The Lions picked up just 17 points finishing in a distant last place, as every other team picked up at least 30 points. The former national team captain is well respected in Banijan soccer circles, however, so we expect him to finish out the season and get a transfer window to try and fix things up. It was the Lions worst total in history, including the days when the league season was only 30 games, instead of the full 38.

Why do we expect that they will move up one spot? Well, mostly because Dukuma SC got a lot worse, as we'll explain down below. Of course, Vincent Wilson is showing some vision. He has recently scouted 17 year old winger Josef Lawerenz from the Equestrian States, and he is the highest rated prospect a Banijan squad has gotten in years from a foreign country. He is even on the national team radar for Banija's western neighbors, so he is the only reason to watch this squad.

Other than that, it will be a rough season. They only had 3 wins last season, and while they should improve upon that.. We expect paper bag sellers to once again make a killing in Lwanga.

20. Dukuma Sporting Club.
What is traditionally known as Banija's worst soccer club only got worse this summer, as they sold the Banijan #1 goalkeeper to the defending league champs. A shocking transfer in what was expected to be an almost silent summer, Dukuma SC has very few, if any, reasons for hope this season. There is no way around it- the talent is not there for them to compete year in and year out.

Here is a history of their franchise in the last four seasons of the BSL. Last out of 16th, last out of 20, 18th out of 20, 18th out of 20. All four seasons, in most countries, that would have meant instant relegation. But, here they are, saved by franchising and this country's terrible economy. This is a team used to failure, and a team where we expect it to continue. The only bright side is that they have a brand new manager, which will inject some hope into the franchise. But expect a rough first year before they can shore things up via the transfer window.

by **Banija** » Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:46 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 5

Guess who? Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club finds themselves in first place after 8 games

Kabaka's Cup
Kabaka's Cup
Jinja City FC 0–2 Herzegovina City FC CHAMPIONS of the Kabaka's Cup

Standings after Matchday 8

Banijan Soccer League         Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Bunyoro RSC                  8    6   1   1    18   11   +7    19
 2 Istria City FC               8    5   3   0    15    4  +11    18
 3 Hoima Warriors               8    5   1   2    22   12  +10    16
 4 Busukuma Athletic Club       8    5   1   2    17    8   +9    16
 5 Herzegovina City FC          8    5   1   2    16    7   +9    16
 6 Jinja City FC                8    5   1   2    17   13   +4    16
 7 Rukunbi FC                   8    5   0   3    11   10   +1    15
 8 Kitara AA                    8    3   4   1     8    8    0    13
 9 Herzegovina Phoenix          8    3   3   2     8    5   +3    12
10 Busembe Timberwolves         8    4   0   4     7    8   −1    12
11 Isipongo Flash               8    3   2   3    11   10   +1    11
12 Lwanga Lions                 8    2   4   2    15   14   +1    10
13 Umbazi Metropolitan SC       8    3   1   4    11   12   −1    10
14 Askatasuna FC                8    2   1   5    11   16   −5     7
15 Bwubanza City SC             8    2   1   5     5   10   −5     7
16 Lakiska SC                   8    2   1   5     9   16   −7     7
17 Busukuma Force               8    1   3   4    10   15   −5     6
18 Mynda SC                     8    1   2   5     8   13   −5     5
19 Aissa United FC              8    1   2   5    12   19   −7     5
20 Dukuma SC                    8    0   2   6     5   25  −20     2

Now with top flight play under way, the real season begins within Banija. We've been watching the minor leagues for long enough; it's time to let the big boys play soccer, and it has been an entertaining battle thus far. The beginning of BSL seasons tend to surprise us. Last season, it was Orlando Juarez being fired after just 7 matches in charge, a BSL record, when his team was in dead last, all by their lonesome, after just 7 games. They hired Jan Cassallerus after that, who has given respectability back to that squad.

This season's surprise is even bigger. None of the traditional Super 5 clubs, the biggest clubs from Banija's 5 biggest cities(Busukuma AC, Istria City FC, Hoima Warriors, Jinja City FC, and Herzegovina City FC) are in first place, though they do occupy places 2-6 in the standings. A team that is putting up more of a fight than anybody could have believed, is Bunyoro RSC. It is early in the season, but the way they've played, they are playing like a team that will battle to break into the UICA for the first time.

Here are three things we've learned so far, and then we'll follow with three things we know going forward.

Lesson #1 Herzegovina City FC's pickup of Delbin Kasekende this summer was massive

Forget about the standings with this one, even though Dukuma SC is back to being in last place, and maintaining their ferocious grip among the bottom 3 of the Banijan Soccer League. And don't worry about contrasting that with the success of Herzegovina City FC, who are part of a four way tie for 3rd place, and in the thick of things in terms of competing for a spot in the UICA. Just look at the scoreboard. On Matchday 6, Delbin Kasekende faced his old squad for the first time. What was the result for him? A clean sheet. What was the result for his squad? The biggest win of the season so far by any team, a 7-0 shellacking of the permanent league cellar dwellars. Kasekende as an individual and HZCFC were the massive winners of that deal, while Dukuma SC were made to look like fools. A move was inevitable, but still.

Lesson #2 It's too close to make any assumptions about the league title race

Now, of course, it is almost always too close to tell who is going to win the league after just 8 matchdays. But this season is a beast in and of itself. 4 points separate 7th place Rukunbi FC and 1st place Bunyoro RSC, which just speak to the amount of parity on display in the league this year so far, that was extremely lacking last season, as the top 4, and the Hoima Warriors after they found their groove, simply ran away from all of their competition. This season that may not happen, which will hopefully lead to a more entertaining title race down the stretch, if this trend continues.

Lesson #3 Jan Cassallerus was absolutely the right hire for the Hoima Warriors

We knew this last season, as he jump aboard a sinking ship and took them to what was their max after their disastrous start last season, which was a fifth place finish. But he has the team right where he left off. He has properly utilized Cosumarite star defender Wenceslaw, who is having a dominant season anchoring the back line for Hoima. With only three players back there, they arguably have the most talented back line in the league. A back line of Kwandani, Wenceslaw, and Toure will generally allow your midfielders to push forward, knowing they are protected in the back.

He has utilized them well, and it shows, as the team leads the league in scoring. Arisolavian striker Andrey Soltykov. is having a sudden revival, as he is one of the league's scoring leaders. This team is capable of pushing for a league title.

And, now, of course, with 8 games played, it is time for us to make three more predictions.

1. The RBSA shouldn't panic. The Super 5 clubs will finish in the top 5 spots.

Bunyoro RSC's play is absolutely unsustainable. Even though they are in first place, they are squeaking through games, rather than imposing their will on lesser teams, a trademark of Banijan champions. While they are second in the league in scoring, their defense is nothing to write home about, and this team is older. They are more focused, but can their bodies maintain their current form over the course of 38 games? We would think not.

Of course, we write this in saying that there are more TV dollars available for the league and association via the Super 5, rather than the Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club, but they aren't rooting for anyone, right? Everything is in the spirit of free and fair competition? Hey! Ignore the guy saying that the only way to enter the BSL is to buy your way in!

2. Rukunbi FC will win the first Istria City derby.

The two istria teams have battled it out for many years, and Istria City FC has generally had the upper hand in the series. Rukunbi FC is suddenly and shockingly resurgent, as the second club from Banija's largest city has gathered 15 points in 8 matches, a great start for a club that generally gets off to slow ones. No foreign investment, but maybe Spanos has lit a fire under these guys as he fights for his job. They are a rejuvenated side, and they are always eager to play their archrivals. They will win the first edition of the derby this year, and that will be the major claim of Mr. Spanos to save his job.

3. Dukuma SC will set the record for fewest points in a 38 game season- one they already hold at 14.

The worst season in the history of the Banijan Soccer League is 14 points in one season, by Dukuma SC. The last two seasons, thanks to the goalkeeping of Delbin Kasekende, they've been able to break the 30 point barrier. But not this season. The squad is an absolute disaster. Their goalkeeping is terrible, they can't defend, they can't score, nothing is going right. Not only will they find themselves in the league cellar at the end of the year, they will break their 14 point 'record' that they set in Season 2 of the BSL.

by **Banija** » Tue Jan 16, 2018 6:29 pm

Banijan Regional League System - Weeks 7-14

Fans watch a Southern League Match

BUSUKUMA- And now, like we have been through 8 matchdays of the Banijan Soccer League, we have also been through 8 more matchdays of the regional league system. Naturally, of course, the BSL plays on Sundays, while the regional leagues tend to play on Fridays, with gridiron football dominating Saturdays. We are reaching what is the crucial midseason point- everybody has played everybody at least once at this point, and while it is too early to predict final standings, certain trends are taking place.

Nobody is running away with their league championship. The regional leagues are all too close to call. Certain teams are more likely to win than others of course, but to point at any single league and say, "this squad will win it", is a fool's guessing game at this point. We'll go through the summaries of all four regional leagues.

Northwestern League

Northwest League                      Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Suwawa FC                           14   10   2   2    23   10  +13    32
 2 Corizova United                     14   10   2   2    28    9  +19    32
 3 AFC Kosactus                        14    7   6   1    28    7  +21    27
 4 Tezirbu Foxes                       14    7   5   2    27   13  +14    26
 5 Barmos United                       14    6   6   2    21   11  +10    24
 6 Eastern Moravica Football Club      14    6   3   5    15   14   +1    21
 7 Jaribga Soccer Club                 14    5   3   6    25   19   +6    18
 8 Koszagard City                      14    4   2   8    21   36  −15    14
 9 Tripoli Foresters                   14    3   2   9    10   26  −16    11
10 Slobochia Bears                     14    0  10   4     8   15   −7    10
11 Nezrouch Rovers                     14    1   4   9     6   30  −24     7
12 Taramazna United                    14    1   3  10     6   28  −22     6

Suwawa FC and Corizova United FC are tied for first place in the Northwestern League, at 32 points a piece. AFC Kosactus, naturally, has 27 points, while the Foxes, who are seemingly the top side on the Busoga Islands right now, have 26. This was always gong to be a tough battle to see who could get out of what is generally seen as Banija's strongest regional league, as the headquarters lie in Banija's oldest city, Herzegovina City.

What can we expect going forward in this league? Well, it's tough to tell. We have a couple of talented squads, and Corizova United FC has a new goalkeeper, of course, who is the #1 for Baptism of Fire participants Al Qurija. Beyond those sides, there is plenty of time for the Foxes and AFC Kosactus to catch up, as there are 30 games left in this 44 game marathon season. Expect about four or 5 teams to separate themselves over the course of the next 8-16 matchdays- and make sure that they are known to be the teams to watch right down to the wire, to see who will win this league championship.

Lower Coastal League

Lower Coastal League                  Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zakuta City                         14    9   3   2    23   11  +12    30
 2 Baleweye Football Club              14    9   3   2    23    8  +15    30
 3 Capitol City Football Club          14    9   2   3    27   12  +15    29
 4 Kabakono City                       14    7   6   1    32   17  +15    27
 5 Nsade United                        14    6   6   2    16   13   +3    24
 6 Djoro Athletic                      14    5   4   5    15   15    0    19
 7 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club       14    5   4   5    18   18    0    19
 8 Kwadama Dojo                        14    3   5   6    17   20   −3    14
 9 AFC Akwadua                         14    4   1   9    14   21   −7    13
10 Kitara Athletic Society             14    3   3   8    13   27  −14    12
11 Mamari City                         14    3   0  11    10   30  −20     9
12 Dimbogourou Sporting Club           14    1   3  10     6   22  −16     6

Three points separate the top 4 clubs in the Lower Coastal League, in what will also be a very ferocious race to the finish line in Southwest Banija. With two teams pacing the league with 30 points each, and then Capitol City Football Club a point behind, and Kabakono City two points behind them, you know you are going to have a very interesting league race. How will the squads separate themselves?

Capitol City Football Club is the most interesting case. They are the only squad at this level that is not fan owned, and their captain is 41 years old. Sarjo Ceesay is Banija's oldest professional soccer player, and he says he has four more years left in him, though we'll see if that remains to be true. They are the team that, from the looks of it, has the most talent- but what does that mean? We'll see if they can separate themselves from the pack going forward in the next set of 8 matches, or if anybody can create any separation in this league.

The Northern League

Northern League                       Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cerenus United                      14    9   4   1    24    9  +15    31
 2 Igulu City FC                       14    8   5   1    25   11  +14    29
 3 Nanami Dragons                      14    8   4   2    22    8  +14    28
 4 Garixas City                        14    7   3   4    21   11  +10    24
 5 Okakameb City                       14    7   0   7    14   16   −2    21
 6 Duntho Sporting Club                14    6   2   6    16   17   −1    20
 7 Koksho City                         14    5   4   5    15   15    0    19
 8 AFC Okahavi                         14    5   3   6    12   16   −4    18
 9 Luguyala Patriots                   14    5   2   7     9   14   −5    17
10 Thayaferu United                    14    3   3   8     8   18  −10    12
11 Selekawe Knights                    14    3   1  10     8   21  −13    10
12 Gadive City                         14    2   1  11    12   30  −18     7

The Northern League is an interesting case. Three points, again, seperate the first and third place squads. It is extremely difficult to tell which squads are capable of separating themselves over this marathon season. Igulu City FC started out hottest, but have only earned 11 points since Matchday 6, while Cerenus United has earned 18 points over the same timespan. It is, of course, still early in the season, but not quite so early. Those two, alongside the Dragons, are the sides to watch for the league's sole spot in the Serie B Champions Cup.

A team that will hope for a better middle to the season, is undoubtedly Garixas City. They expected to be title competitors, and they are currently seven points off the pace. While there is plenty of time to correct that, it is definitely a disappointing start for a squad that had much higher expectations than what we see right now. Expect them to pick up the pace and to get hack into the thick of things.

Southern League

Southern League                       Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Hawabark Boulders                   14    9   3   2    27    7  +20    30
 2 Umbazi FA                           14    8   4   2    23   14   +9    28
 3 Dodoma City SC                      14    7   3   4    19   10   +9    24
 4 Sororo City                         14    6   5   3    28   15  +13    23
 5 Pumbasa Bears                       14    5   8   1    19    9  +10    23
 6 Boufaya Ravens                      14    6   1   7    17   17    0    19
 7 Abomfa United                       14    5   4   5    10   11   −1    19
 8 Mukegara Warriors                   14    4   6   4    16   16    0    18
 9 Busemlu Park SC                     14    4   5   5    20   18   +2    17
10 Amaku City FC                       14    4   3   7    17   22   −5    15
11 Kigagana Mountaineers               14    2   2  10     9   31  −22     8
12 Byakado City                        14    1   2  11     6   41  −35     5

And now, back to the Southern League. Disappointingly, the Mukegara Warriors have stayed true to form, and are back in the middle of the table, which is disappointing. It would have been greatly entertaining for them to venture out onto the international stage, and try to compete with the world's best second division clubs. Regardless, the Southern League has the Boulders back on top now, which is a surprise to nobody at all. They were heavy favorites coming in, and we expect them to remain heavy favorites going forward.

We don't have much to say about this league, as we expect, over the course of the next 15-20 matchdays, for the Boulders to simply impose their will on this league and waltz to the Banijan Serie B Champions Cup playoff, with a format that the Royal Banijan Soccer Association has not yet decided upon.

RBSA Cup Round of 32

RBSA Cup - Round 3
Herzegovina City FC 1–1 Askatasuna FC (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Busembe Timberwolves 0–3 Isipongo Flash
Jinja City FC 0–0 Corizova United (1–0 AET)
AFC Kosactus 2–1 Nanami Dragons
Hawabark Boulders 1–0 Kitara Athletic Society
Djoro Athletic 1–0 Lwanga Lions
Bwubanza City SC 2–0 Slobochia Bears
Dimbogourou Sporting Club 0–4 Rukunbi FC
Bunyoro RSC 0–3 Istria City
Cerenus United 0–2 Lakiska SC
Aissa United FC 0–0 Busukuma Athletic Club (1–0 AET)
Umbazi Metropolitan SC 0–1 Capitol City Football Club
Mynda SC 1–0 Dukuma SC
Baleweye Football Club 0–2 Hoima Warriors 
Kitara AA 0–0 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club (0–0 AET) (3–1 pen.)
Herzegovina Phoenix 3–0 Busukuma Force

And now, of course, time for Banija's only knockout cup competition- the RBSA Cup! This round is played after week 8 of the BSL season, which coincides with Matchday 14 of the seasons of Banija's regional leagues. The 20 BSL sides entered the tournament, which means that from this point forward, the tournament size can only shrink. 12 regional league sides and 20 BSL sides entered this part of the tournamet.

Banija's 'Super 5' clubs struggled in this first round of games. Aaron Aiza had a 87th minute equalizer at home to force extra time against Askatasuna FC, and when the visitors took the lead in the first half of extra time, the Equestrian winger scored again to force penalties, where Delbin Kasekende came up with two huge saves to put this team into the second round.

Those struggles weren't just confined to the back-to-back defending champs. Jinja City needed extra time to dispatch of Northwestern League members Corizova United, while Busukuma AC lost an away match to Aissa United, by a score of 1-0. The only Super 5 club to take care of business was the Hoima Warriors, where a Julian Turner first half double proved to be the difference.

There were a couple of major upsets. Capitol City Football Club went on the road, to Umbazi Metropolitan SC, and found a way to pull off a 1-0 victory. As their fans celebrated into the night, they took joy in the fact that all three Busukuma professional sides(Busukuma AC, CCFC, and Force) played away matches to BSL sides in this round, while Capitol City Football Club was the only side that won their match. They hung a banner outside of their stadium, calling themselves 'the capitol's true club' the next day, as they are the only capitol club to win a RBSA Cup match this season.

The other major upset was Djoro Athletic's upset victory over the Lwanga Lions on their home field. They celebrated into the night, as Vincent Wilson's side, who have had such a positive start to league play after such a horrendous season last year, could not win this away game. This leaves the cup with 12 BSL sides left and 4 regional league sides left. Two from the Lower Coastal League, one from the Southern League, and one from the Northwestern League. In round 4, only 1 of the 5 leagues is completely eliminated from this tournament.

There are now 16, and we are getting closer to what is the business end of this tournament. Each team is one step left from the quarterfinals- and that means money for the lower league sides, and the opportunity to play on the national stage. This competition, like many, promises for more upsets down the line.

by **Banija** » Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:28 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 5

Istria City FC leads the league after 16 games

Standings after Matchday 16

Banijan Soccer League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Istria City FC              16   11   4   1    34   10  +24    37
 2 Busukuma Athletic Club      16   11   2   3    45   26  +19    35
 3 Herzegovina City FC         16   10   3   3    31   15  +16    33
 4 Jinja City FC               16    9   4   3    35   20  +15    31
 5 Hoima Warriors              16    9   3   4    35   22  +13    30
 6 Bunyoro RSC                 16    9   2   5    29   22   +7    29
 7 Herzegovina Phoenix         16    7   6   3    25   15  +10    27
 8 Busembe Timberwolves        16    8   3   5    17   15   +2    27
 9 Kitara AA                   16    6   6   4    14   14    0    24
10 Isipongo Flash              16    5   6   5    26   23   +3    21
11 Mynda SC                    16    5   5   6    22   24   −2    20
12 Umbazi Metropolitan SC      16    6   2   8    20   25   −5    20
13 Rukunbi FC                  16    5   3   8    16   24   −8    18
14 Askatasuna FC               16    5   1  10    21   26   −5    16
15 Aissa United FC             16    4   4   8    24   31   −7    16
16 Lwanga Lions                16    3   6   7    18   26   −8    15
17 Bwubanza City SC            16    3   4   9    14   24  −10    13
18 Lakiska SC                  16    4   1  11    19   41  −22    13
19 Busukuma Force              16    3   3  10    17   32  −15    12
20 Dukuma SC                   16    0   6  10    19   46  −27     6

Matchday 9

Matchday 9 was an intriguing matchday, with two 'Super 5' matchups taking place- Jinja City FC taking on the Hoima Warriors, while Busukuma Athletic Club hosted Istria City FC. The battle between the biggest club from our nation's capitol, and Istria City FC, was a stunner. Two teams, generally considered to be equally capable, produced a stunner, as Istria City FC destroyed them on their own field. The only club out of Banija's 'Super 5' to not have any foreigners, Assefa Yitebarke continued his rise with two goals in that big game. Jinja City FC and the Hoima Warriors, unfortunately, produced a drab 0-0 draw in Jinja. Across the rest of the league, Bunyoro RSC had a disappointing 1-1 away draw, while Askatasauna FC fell 1-3 to Umbazi Metropolitan SC.

The day was kicked off by a thriller in Mynda, as Mynda SC shocked pundits across the league by defeating the Hoima Warriors in a 5-3 thriller. It was back and forth, with the Warriors responding to each Mynda SC goal, but simply running out of gas, as Miguel Freitas won the game with two stoppage game goals. Across the rest of the league, Jinja City FC had a rather shocking 0-0 draw away to the Lwanga Lions, who finished last season with a paltry 17 points. Lin Moon missed a penalty in the second half in thta game. The Timberwolves won 2-0 over Busukuma Froce, while a Ennis Leishman double allowed Herzegovina City to pull away with a 2-1 vicotry over the second Istria club. Bunyoro RSC got back to their winning ways against, you guessed it, Dukuma SC, as they beat the cellar dwellars at home by a score of 2-0.

There was a stunning upset here, as the Lwanga Lions won an away game, by a score of 2-1 against the Hoima Warriors. A squad that got 17 points last season is fighting to be a mid-table squad. Equestrian teenager Josef Lawerenz assisted on both goals, as teams are starting to pay attention to Vincent Wilson's side. Our prediction about the Istria city derby was proven wrong, as Rukunbi FC was shellacked on their own field by their 'big brothers' from downtown Istria. Yitebarke starred in that game with a brace and an assist, yet again improving his case that he should be in Randolph Cherry's starting lineup for Banija's first ever AOCAF, the 55th edition. Elsewhere, Lin Moon scored once and assisted Sia Fall twice as Jinja City FC took apart Bwubanza City SC in a 5-1 victory.

Bwubanza City had yet another bad game, as they were shellacked for the second straight week, this time falling victim to goals by Julian Turner, Andrey Soltykov, and Marbue Owusu of the Hoima Warriors. Aaron Aiza was the difference against Kitara AA, as he scored on a beautiful bent 25 yard free kick for the only goal against Kitara AA, which gave HZCFC all three points. Bunyoro RSC fell 5-2 at home to Super 5 Club Busukuma Athletic Club, which simply shows how far they are falling, and proves our prediction right that their run of form that took them to the top of the table was unsustainable against the power and onslaught of Banija's richer clubs. Dukuma SC, in the nightcap, earned a draw in a thrilling finish with the Isipongo Flash, as Jawara saved a penalty in the 88th minute.

This week was naturally highlighted by the Super 5 matchup between Jinja City FC and Herzegovina City FC. The top two in the league last season, who both finished their seasons by winning their final 6 league games. Herzegovina City FC had won the league for the second year in a row, while Jinja City FC had won the RBSA Cup. They had already battled once this season, at the Stadium of the Restoration. This time, in Jinja, fans were in for a real treat. A thrilling 3-3 draw that had a bit of everything- from red cards to center backs from both sides in the first half, to the eventual equalizer coming from none other than Delbin Kasekende, the Banijan #1- the 94th minute header, as he was up the field in desperation as they were down 3-2, and the brilliance of watching a goalkeeper score on a corner kick. Early nominee for match of the season.

We were treated to two 'Super 5' matchups this week- Hoima Warriors visiting Herzegovina City FC, while Jinja City FC paid a visit to Istria. In the Hoima vs. Herzegovina City FC matchup, Herzegovina City FC was simply gassed. They just played a marathon matchup against Jinja City FC on the road, and it showed. This squad was emotionally drained after their visit and long trip. A goal from the captain, John Katumba, was enough to earn the 3 points in this matchup. In terms of Istria city FC against Jinja City FC, this was another big game. But the hosts won by a score of 2-1, led by two goals by Yitebarke, and they have established themselves as true contenders. This is also the first week of the season where in all 10 games, there was not a single draw- there were 10 winners and 10 losers on this Saturday.

The Hoima Warriors had yet another 'Super 5' matchup, this time hosting Istria City FC. And, for the second week in a row, they took all three points, as Flomo Osei scored twice and John Katumba put a third into the back of the net, which was just enough to defeat Istria City FC. These two wins, back-to-back, seem that they will have an impact in the final standings on whether the Hoima Warriors can get the top 4 spot required to get back into UICA play. Elsewhere in the league, the Timberwolves won a scrappy away game, and Dukuma SC almost pulled off what would have been the greatest of upsets, defeating the capitol's major club away from home. Unfortunately, they simply did not have the firepower to keep up with Busukuma AC, as they lost 5-4 in a very close game.

Istria City FC took care of business against the Lions, with four first half goals as Vincent Wilson saw his Lions taken apart. All the Super 5 won except for the defending champs, as Herzegovina City FC had a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Bwubanza City SC. Interestingly enough, not a single member of the Super 5 clubs(Herzegovina City FC, Jinja City FC, Istria City FC, Busukuma AC, and Hoima Warriors) allowed a goal this weekend. Elsewhere, away from our big clubs, Rukunbi FC had a 1-1 draw with the Flash, while in the Busoga derby, Lakiska SC, perhaps unsurprisingly, had an away victory against Dukuma SC, who seem to be, once again, stuck in the basement of the league.

Mynda SC Chief Financial Officer Asuman Musoke arrested on charges of perjury by National Police

MYNDA, AKSUM- Mynda Soccer Club has been mixed in a scandal that has lasted for a few months. They say where there is smoke, there is usually fire, and they have found fire. When word leaked out that Mynda SC, over the summer, took a $7 million NSD 'emergency loan' to cover this season's worth of operating expenses, something was known to be up. They were investigated, and the questions were swirling around the club. The Chief Financial Officer Asuman Musoke and the principal owner, president, and CEO, Matthias Mutebi, have categorically denied the rumors that they took a secret loan. While Banijan fraud investigators have yet to say that they have found evidence, there is one major arrest.

Asuman Musoke, the Chief Financial Officer, has been arrested on charges of perjury by the National Police. There are also rumors that Isebantu Mwanga, as the Waziri(Foreign Minister) of Banija, upon the request of the justice department, has officially revoked the passport of Mathias Mutebi, though it remains to be seen. Mutebi is the owner, President, and CEO of Mynda Soccer Club. He is being investigated by the National Police over claims that he faked his books, in response to claims that he took a secret $7 million NSD loan from a foreign bank.

Mutebi has denied the allegations. "We have not taken any loans; nor have we faked our books. This is an underhanded plot by somebody who wants to force the sale of this franchise and move it away from Mynda. This city deserves a team, and it will keep their team." While Mynda SC has been able to make payroll, there is evidence that Mutebi is being hit financially. He recently sold one of his vacation homes in Southern Banija, and he has refused to release financial statements. He is not required to release financial statement as Mynda SC is not a public corporation.

This has caused political controversy within Banija. Mutebi is set to have a date to testify in front of the Lukiiko after Matchday 24, which will surely be intriguing. The question is- Can the BSL force him to sell? They are within their rights, if 80% of owners(16/20) vote to make him sell. Not a single owner, unsurprisingly, has come out publicly in favor of that. But still- a shocking development in this case. We'll see if Mynda SC is able to keep it together as investigators search team and stadium offices.

by **Banija** » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:02 pm

Banijan Regional League System - Exactly halfway through league play

Suwawa FC warming up before a league match

BUSUKUMA- We are now halfway through the regional league seasons, even though we are only 2/5s of the way through the Banijan Soccer League. 22 games in- if this was the top flight, the season would already be over. How do we know that? Because everybody has played everyone twice. Now teams know how other teams react, how other teams are, talent levels, strategies- which will make the last 22 that much more exciting to watch. Now that you've played opponents twice, the matches become tighter. It's about who can add wrinkles, who can switch things up, and skill.

In leagues where it is a quadruple round robin, as very few are, the best teams will always rise to the top. Thats the only way you'll be able to beat the same team three or four times in a season- required in this format if you want to win a trophy and qualify for the Serie B Champions Cup Playoff, where the 4 league champions will fight for Banija's 3 automatic berths in that tournament.

Northwestern League

Northwest League                      Pld   W    D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Suwawa FC                           22   15   4   3    35   15  +20    49
 2 Corizova United                     22   15   2   5    46   15  +31    47
 3 AFC Kosactus                        22   12   9   1    40   12  +28    45
 4 Tezirbu Foxes                       22   12   7   3    36   18  +18    43
 5 Barmos United                       22    9   7   6    27   19   +8    34
 6 Eastern Moravica Football Club      22    8   5   9    21   23   −2    29
 7 Jaribga Soccer Club                 22    8   4  10    34   27   +7    28
 8 Slobochia Bears                     22    5  11   6    17   23   −6    26
 9 Tripoli Foresters                   22    6   3  13    18   35  −17    21
10 Koszagard City                      22    6   2  14    25   49  −24    20
11 Nezrouch Rovers                     22    3   5  14    10   38  −28    14
12 Taramazna United                    22    2   3  17     8   43  −35     9

The first league we will cover is the Northwestern League. There is not much seperation in this league, and we are increasingly convinced that it will go down to the wire. Suwawa FC has only a two point lead on Corizova Untied, who has a two point lead on AFC Kosactus, who has a two point lead on the Tezirbu Foxes. They, of course, have a 9 point lead on Barmos United. While there is plenty of time left, we are going to assume, for now, those four clubs will finish in the top 4. But in which order? And who will get the trophy?

Suwawa FC looks to be the most promising candidates. They have a front line led by Mompati Molatedi, who has been lethal in front of goal this season. But there's a reason the other guys are where they are. AFC Kosactus has a pair of young strikers who are looking to make the leap to the BSL next season who are scoring goals at a decent clip. The Foxes and Corizova United, as well, are some solid squads. This will be an interesting one to follow over the course of the weeks.

Lower Coastal League

Lower Coastal League                  Pld   W    D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zakuta City                         22   14   6   2    33   12  +21    48
 2 Capitol City Football Club          22   14   3   5    35   15  +20    45
 3 Kabakono City                       22   11   9   2    48   23  +25    42
 4 Baleweye Football Club              22   12   5   5    29   14  +15    41
 5 Nsade United                        22   10   6   6    25   25    0    36
 6 Djoro Athletic                      22   10   5   7    33   26   +7    35
 7 Ogbordu Diamond Football Club       22   10   4   8    33   26   +7    34
 8 Kwadama Dojo                        22    6   5  11    25   31   −6    23
 9 AFC Akwadua                         22    6   4  12    22   32  −10    22
10 Kitara Athletic Society             22    5   6  11    17   33  −16    21
11 Dimbogourou Sporting Club           22    2   5  15    12   39  −27    11
12 Mamari City                         22    3   0  19    11   47  −36     9

Zakuta City has taken the lead halfway through the season, with 48 points earned from 22 matches. How have they done this? Well, if you've heard of the adage that defense wins championships, this team certainly has. Kabakono City has scored 15 more goals than Zakuta City has this season, and yet, they find themselves 2 spots down in the standings. How does that happen? While Kabakono City is scoring loads of goals, this team is defending at great rates. 33 goals is still a solid tally on the season, of course, but only allowing 12- that's how to do it.

Kabakono City and CCFC, of course, have some catching up to do, though they have plenty of time to do it. The Capitol club, especially has some high expectations. They've been a club that has won games in the RBSA Cup, and expects to win this league. They want desperately to get to the Serie B Champions Cup, but they first need to find a way to navigate this league. All of these leagues are close, but they are confident that, in the end, Banija's richest regional league club will end up on top.

The Northern League

Northern League                       Pld   W    D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cerenus United                      22   15   6   1    38   11  +27    51
 2 Nanami Dragons                      22   14   6   2    37   14  +23    48
 3 Igulu City FC                       22   11   8   3    35   19  +16    41
 4 Garixas City                        22   11   6   5    35   19  +16    39
 5 Duntho Sporting Club                22    9   4   9    25   26   −1    31
 6 Okakameb City                       22    9   2  11    21   26   −5    29
 7 AFC Okahavi                         22    7   6   9    18   24   −6    27
 8 Koksho City                         22    6   7   9    19   21   −2    25
 9 Luguyala Patriots                   22    7   2  13    12   27  −15    23
10 Selekawe Knights                    22    5   4  13    11   30  −19    19
11 Gadive City                         22    5   4  13    18   35  −17    19
12 Thayaferu United                    22    3   5  14    11   28  −17    14

Cerenus United. The only club in any of Banija's 4 regional leagues that has crossed the 50 point threshold at this point in time. And yet, are they running away with the league? Not a chance! The Nanami Dragons are right behind them, with 48 points. But that is where the dropoff starts. Igulu City, who won their first six games of the season, have 41 points, are in a distant third, 7 points behind the Dragons and a full 10 behind Cerenus United. What happened? Their formula simply disappeared. They have not been able to maintain their form, and better teams have overtaken them.

What's going to happen in the next round? Cerenus United is unique, leading their league in both goals for and goals against. They have a dominant squad, and while they don't have a dominant position in the league standigns, there is no reason to think that they cannot maintain their current form over the course of all these matches.

Southern League

Southern League                       Pld   W    D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Hawabark Boulders                   22   14   6   2    43   11  +32    48
 2 Pumbasa Bears                       22   13   8   1    34    9  +25    47
 3 Dodoma City SC                      22   12   5   5    33   15  +18    41
 4 Sororo City                         22   11   6   5    47   25  +22    39
 5 Umbazi FA                           22   10   6   6    34   28   +6    36
 6 Abomfa United                       22   10   4   8    25   22   +3    34
 7 Boufaya Ravens                      22    9   1  12    25   25    0    28
 8 Busemlu Park SC                     22    7   5  10    29   30   −1    26
 9 Amaku City FC                       22    7   3  12    25   33   −8    24
10 Mukegara Warriors                   22    6   6  10    23   31   −8    24
11 Kigagana Mountaineers               22    4   2  16    13   54  −41    14
12 Byakado City                        22    1   4  17    11   59  −48     7

And now, for the Southern League. The Boulders have a slim one point advantage over the Bears, who are the only team in Banija, in any of the regional leagues or the BSL, who have a goals against record that is still, at this point in the single digits. 9 goals allowed! A goal every other game is STILL too many goals to describe this squad, which has a back line of steel. First year manager Condeh has built an excellent back line, and if they can maintain that form, watch out.

This league is clearly a two horse race. Dodoma City is not going to catch the Boulders or the Bears, and those two are going to battle, all the way to and through the end of the season, to see who is going to have the right to represent this league in the Serie B Champions Cup Playoff. The interesting part about this league, however, is the Warriors. Always a fun team to watch, their fans recently brought a life-sized caricature of Pierre Henri II, the man they consider to be a walking manifestation of God, to an away game against the Pumbasa Bears, where they lost 3-0. It was an interesting stunt, and another look into the life of the Mukegara tribe, that many Banijans do not hear about often.

RBSA Cup Round of 16

RBSA Cup - Round 4
Herzegovina Phoenix 1–0 Isipongo Flash
Hawabark Boulders 0–1 Istria City
Capitol City Football Club 1–3 Jinja City FC
Mynda SC 1–0 Djoro Athletic
Aissa United FC 2–2 Lakiska SC (2–3 AET)
Rukunbi FC 1–1 AFC Kosactus (2–2 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Kitara AA 0–1 Bwubanza City SC
Herzegovina City FC 1–1 Hoima Warriors (2–1 AET)

And now, for the RBSA Cup. The Round of 16 has taken place, and now we are only left with 8 teams. AFC Kosactus is the last regional league side remaining. They took an early 1-0 lead at Rukunbi FC, but the BSL side punched back with a 55th minute goal. When the game went to extra time, the hosts scored again in the 100th minute, only to be outdone by an 115th stunner from 30 yards, to make the score 2-2. The fact that a AFC Kosactus player was capable of scoring from that distance against a BSL side was stunning, and they ended up winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout. AFC Kosactus, by virtue of elimination, are now officially the tournament cinderella story. We'll see how far they can go before losing their glass slipper.

The Boulders fell, ending their run in a close 1-0 home loss to the BSL league leaders. Lin Moon had a hat trick in a 3-1 victory for Jinja City FC over the Hawabark Boulders. The Phoenix won by a score of 1-0, while Mynda SC, mirred in discontent due to what is happening with their ownership situation, have managed to stay focused on the field and defeated Djoro Athletic, though a side of far less talent, by a score of 1-0 at home and enter the quarterfinals. The last few teams are Lakiska SC, Bwubanza City SC, and Herzegovina City FC, who, in a 'Super 5' matchup, needed an Aaron Aiza goal in the 105th minute to break the deadlock against the Hoima Warriors.

The business end of this tournament is here. Eyes will be tuning in. Who can win this thing? Can Jinja City FC repeat and raise this trophy yet another time? Or can Herzegovina City FC finally win this trophy and lay claim to cup silverware, alongside their two league trophies? Can AFC Kosactus continue to shock the world and upset yet another BSL side, in their improbable march towards history? So many questions to ask, and you never know until you watch. We'll find out the answers to those when the quarterfinals actually roll around in 8 weeks time.

by **Banija** » Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:32 pm

The Banijan Soccer League - Season 5

Phoenix Rising? Wins over Super 5 clubs move Herzegovina Phoenix into a position they thought they'd never be- in the Top 4

Standings after Matchday 24

Team Name                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Istria City FC           24   16   6   2    49   14  +35    54
 2 Jinja City FC            24   16   5   3    51   22  +29    53
 3 Busukuma Athletic Club   24   15   3   6    65   31  +34    48
 4 Herzegovina Phoenix      24   14   6   4    40   22  +18    48
 5 Hoima Warriors           24   14   5   5    46   26  +20    47
 6 Herzegovina City FC      24   13   6   5    38   20  +18    45
 7 Kitara AA                24   11   9   4    26   18   +8    42
 8 Bunyoro RSC              24   10   6   8    34   30   +4    36
 9 Busembe Timberwolves     24   10   4  10    23   28   −5    34
10 Mynda SC                 24    8   7   9    31   34   −3    31
11 Isipongo Flash           24    7   9   8    32   30   +2    30
12 Umbazi Metropolitan SC   24    9   3  12    26   31   −5    30
13 Rukunbi FC               24    7   5  12    25   41  −16    26
14 Lwanga Lions             24    6   7  11    25   39  −14    25
15 Askatasuna FC            24    7   3  14    27   35   −8    24
16 Busukuma Force           24    6   6  12    27   41  −14    24
17 Bwubanza City SC         24    3   9  12    24   38  −14    18
18 Aissa United FC          24    4   6  14    32   51  −19    18
19 Lakiska SC               24    5   3  16    27   58  −31    18
20 Dukuma SC                24    2   6  16    22   61  −39    12

Individual Matchdays

Busukuma Athletic Club kicked us off, with a 1-0 win over Mynda SC. Saah Desta scored yet another goal, showing that the 36 year old's decision to retire from international football to focus on his club has paid off for himself, as he says he is "more fresh than he has been in years". Lakiska SC and Rukunbi FC also won by the same scoreline at home, while the 1-0 scoreline was repeated by Istria City FC and the Isipongo Flash, both away from home. The Lwanga Lions, in their 2-1 home win, had a free kick scored by Josef Lawerenz, the first time he has taken a free kick this entire season.

Yet another day without a big matchup, but an exciting day nonetheless. The Phoenix and the Lions played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Herzegovina suburbs. Young Brenician striker Chase Pershing scored twice, including an equalizer in the 85th minute to make sure that the two squads split the spoils. The high-scoring, fast paced match was definitely the game of the day. Elsewher around the league, all 5 'Super 5' clubs won, including Jinja City FC, who won 6-1 in convincing fashion away from home. Lin Moon and Noah Lamont Hill each scored twice, while Nikolay Menshikov and Sia Fall each scored once. The offense was on fire today, and they will hope to continue that form going forward.

And it is the last game of the first half of the season. What was the match of the day? Of course, the two-time defending league champs and the current league leaders. Is there a changing of the guard going on inside the league? While Star Field was packed to its capacity of 62,000 for this rivalry match, this professional North v. South matchup- (name taken from the NSCF college football rivalry of the two Banijan NSCF schools based in Herzegovina City and Istria, respectively) saw a rather shocking result- Istria City FC pulled itself together and was able to take a massive three points. A great game, but Kasekende was beaten by a 72nd minute header from Chromatik striker Lin Moon. This was, interestingly enough, another week where there was no draws- there was 10 winners and 10 losers. This is how it should be, eh?

The highlight of this week had to be the Busukuma Derby. All 5 members of the Super 5 kept clean sheets, and only one of them did not come away with a victory, as the Hoima Warriors could not figure out a way to break down their opponents in the Isipongo Flash. In terms of the Capitol derby, the Force and Busukuma AC battled it out, but Busukuma clearly had greater quality. They have scored a stunning 65 goals this season through just 24 games, far and away leading the league. Another exciting game was from the second Istria club, as Rukunbi FC put up four second half goals to stun Lakiska SC, who had brought a 2-0 lead into halftime.

What an exciting week of soccer to help kick off the second half of the season! While there were no Super 5 matchups, we were treated to one of Banija's three major local derbies- the Herzegovina city derby, between the Phoenix and Herzegovina City FC. The Phoenix, clearly the best out of the 4 expansion clubs from some years ago, are doing what they can to try and win a league title. The match was a back and forth thriller. Aaron Aiza scored a free kick in the 11th minute, while Baslios Temesgen responded with a 19th minute volley. Then the Phoenix took the lead with a header by Cenian defender Vastyn Tredillick, as they took a 2-1 lead at the break. In the 68th minute, the teams were brought level again by Abajan attacking midfielder Jackson Oglobelo. But, in the 88th minute, Lucia Silkemark won the game for the host Phoenix, as Phoenix stadium lost its collective mind.

That was not the only exciting action of the day. Busukuma Athletic Club was also upset on its home field, as Flip Kollias parked that bus while Thomas Owen converted a counter-attack in the 58th minute. It was a rare silencing for Busukuma AC, who are on pace to score well over 100 league goals on the season. That potent offense was silenced by a back line led by Amazonestan veteran Enzo Capistran. There was a 4-4 draw with Aissa United and Bwubanza City as well, that had lots of goals scored and lots of up and down field action.

Out of the Super 5 clubs, only one team won on Matchday 22- the Hoima Warriors, winning 1-0 against Umbazi Metropolitan SC. Otherwise, it was a poor weekend across the board from the rest of them. Jinja City FC and Busukuma AC played each other to a 1-1 draw, while Herzegovina City FC had a disappointing home draw against Bunyoro RSC, where they couldn't break down the visitors. And then there was Istria City FC. The league leaders fell by a score of 1-0 to the Herzegovina Phoenix, who were coming off an emotionally draining 3-2 home win on derby day. Are the Phoenix for real? They are certainly making the case, as they continue to take points against the big boys. Brenician striker Chase Pershing, 32 years young, is having the form of his BSL career right now, as he tries to get the Phoenix into international competition.

We had an interesting slate of games once again in the Banijan Soccer League. There was a Super 5 matchup between the Hoima Warriors and Busukuma Athletic Club. The high flyers from this nation's capitol were grounded, as the Hoima Warriors tamed Busukuma's offense and earned a gritty 1-0 victory away from home, thanks to captain John Katumba. Otherwise, it was a good day for the rest of the Super 5, as Jinja City FC, Herzegovina City FC, and Istria City FC all won away from home this weekend. The singular most exciting game had to be the 3-3 draw between the other capitol club and Mynda SC; it was goals galore as the two squads split the spoils.

The Herzegovina Phoenix are doing everything right. They completed their sixth win in a row, a 2-0 victory over Mynda SC. This sizzling form starts with the stalwarts in the back, as Lucia Silkemark is finally starting to settle in. He is in his second season in the league, coming on a free transfer from football-crazy Nephara. He is finally starting to settle into the role of central midfielder in this league- a league for its physicality, he bulked up over the summer and is now able to outmuscle opponents, and get to 50/50 balls much better. Coming from quite possibly the world's deepest systems of talent, the talent pool of Nephara, he is starting to make a name for himself in this league, and he will have quite the stage if this team can qualify for UICA play.

A look back at this magazine's three predictions after Matchday 8- how did we fare?

Of course, we must take a look at the predictions that we launched after Matchday 8. We had three fearless predictions for league play, and let's say our results were... Mixed. This is why they play the games, right?

1. The RBSA shouldn't panic. The Super 5 clubs will finish in the top 5 spots.
Verdict: Too Early to Tell

The Rise of the Phoenix is putting a wrench in this prediction, which means we won't be able to judge it until the end of the season. Regardless, the Super 5 are in 5 of the top 6 slots, and the other side is the Phoenix. Still from a big market, so the RBSA isn't sweating like it would be if a team like, say, Bwubanza City SC got one of our UICA spots, but they are not Super 5. Regardless, while it's still possible this prediction comes true, we have no way of saying that it will right now.

The Phoenix are in 4th, and Kitara AA is just 3 points behind Herzegovina City FC. There are 7 clubs with legitimate aspirations for spots in the Top 4, and there is no guarantee that being in the Super 5 means that you'll finish in the top 5. While our gut tells us there might be a new king in Herzegovina, there are still plenty of games to play, and people like Aaron Aiza & Ennis Leishman will want to be absolutely sure that they are at least in the Globe Cup.

2. Rukunbi FC will win the first Istria City derby.
Verdict: Wrong

And we could not have been more wrong with this prediction. Since we made that prediction, Istria City FC has taken over, and maintained, their pole position in the league. They hold it by only a point right now, but they are in prime position for at least a spot in UICA competition as of this magazine going to print. That said, we overestimated Rukunbi FC's abilties- we essentially imagined them doing what the Phoenix are doing now. They lost 3-0 on their home field to Istria City FC, putting an end to that prediction real quick. Rukunbi FC, however, is still fighting to be a mid-table squad, which they are still capable of holding that spot.

3. 3. Dukuma SC will set the record for fewest points in a 38 game season- one they already hold at 14.
Verdict: Wrong

This was not a good prediction. Dukuma SC has historically struggled, and chances are they will never leave last place this season, but the North Island club will not break its own record. They have 12 points through 24 games, and will get at least 2 points over the last 14 to make sure that they do not break their own record. They are having a bad season, but they have had worse. They will not be happy that they regressed to last place, but what can you expect after selling the Banijan #1?

And now that we've dealt with our three previous predictions... We have three more fearless predictions for the rest of the season.

1. Herzegovina City FC will not qualify for UICA play

The two-time defending league champs, who got 87 points last season, not even qualifying for the UICA, either the Champions or the Globe Cup? Yup, that's right. This team did not build well, and clearly rested on their laurels after winning their second straight league title. While they are still in the race for a championship, those chances are contiguously slipping, as they are currently in 6th place. Disappointing home draws on matchdays 22 and 24, where both games were 0-0, were emblematic of a team that successfully broke down squads like those last season.

It simply isn't there- but still a historic run at the summit of Banijan soccer- two league titles and a Kabaka's Cup trophy. They could still get a trophy this season, but they don't have the killer instinct to score those late goals this season, and draws like these will come back to haunt them. WE do not believe they will finish in the top 4, and therefore will not qualify for UICA play.

2. Busukuma Athletic Club will have over 100 league goals- but won't break Herzegovina City's single season record of 108 goals

The single season record for goals in a season was accomplished last season by Herzegovina City FC, who scored a shocking 108 goals in league play, almost 3 goals a game. Busukuma Athletic Club is giving them a run for their money, scoring 65 goals through 24 games. But can they break the record of 108? We think not. For example, at this point last season, HZCFC had 69 goals, while Busukuma AC has "only" 65. Still a shockingly good scoring record, but it is not going to break BSL records this season. Their scoring rejuvenation is led by 36 year old Saah Desta, a former national team striker who is #3 all-time in the Banijan scoring records.

They will be able to get to 100 goals. They are on pace to get 103 goals, and they will meet that. However, their front line is too old to pick up the pace now to score 108. They will wear down, as Saah Desta is having a career year at 36, but he's also 36. He will slow down eventually, and with it, the team's rate will slow down just enough to make sure HZCFC's records stand.

3. Lwanga Lions will finish mid-table

Mid-table, of course, being defined as somewhere between 14th and 6th. A wide range, I know. But it would be a stunning improvement for a team that finished with just 17 points last season. This is a squad that is used to finishing on the bottom, but Vincent Wilson is creating a team that is no longer the laughingstock of the league. Josef Lawerenz is developing rather nicely, and though only 17, Wilson has taken a strong liking to him. They already have 8 more points right now(25) than they did the entirety of last season. This is an improving team, and Wilson will make sure that they are no longer considered the league's worst XI.

RBSA Cup Quarterfinals- Cinderella run ends for AFC Kosactus in final 8

AFC Kosactus 0–2 Herzegovina City FC
Lakiska SC 1–2 Herzegovina Phoenix
Jinja City FC 3–1 Bwubanza City SC
Mynda SC 0–1 Istria City

We have four teams left, and I do not think anybody is surprised at the list of the four winners. Herzegovina City FC, the two-time defending league champions who are fighting desperately for a spot in international play, found a way to win 2-0 away from home against Northwestern League side AFC Kosactus. It was a bonanza for AFC Kosactus coffers, of course- ticket prices ran at double their normal price, and they had their highest ever recorded attendance, welcoming a squad of this stature. However, there is too much talent on the visiting team, as an Aaron Aiza double was enough.

The Phoenix continued their winning streak in this competition, going to the South Island and winning by a score of 2-1. Meaning, of course, both Herzegovina sides are in the semifinals. Defending RBSA Cup champions Jinja City FC won at home, by a score of 3-1, with two goals from Lin Moon. And, last but not least, Istria City FC won 1-0 away from home against Mynda SC, ending the run of a squad whose owner is being investigated by governmental authorities for fraud.

The semifinals, with Herzegovina City FC, the Herzegovina Phoenix, Istria City FC, and Jinja City FC, offer some great matchups for fans of Banijan league play. You got big clubs, clubs that are playing well, clubs that want silverware. While we don't know who will win the competition, we do know this- the last three games in this tournament, whatever they are, are going to have some killer matchups.

All-Banija Sports Magazine

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