ZANZIBAR CITY – The Hussein Mbalangu era at URA FC has officially kicked off with a bang. On a sweltering Wednesday afternoon at the Amaan Mbalangu Magic: URA FC Sink Defending Champions Mlandege in Mapinduzi Cup Opener, the “Tax Collectors” delivered a statement of intent, defeating defending champions Mlandege FC 1-0 in their opening Group A match of the 2026 Mapinduzi Cup.
Coming into the game just days after being unveiled as the permanent head coach, Mbalangu proved he is a man of his word. Following his pre-match warning that rivals should “get scared,” his side needed only six minutes to back up the talk.
The Winning Moment
The breakthrough came early in the first half. Skipper Aliro Moses, leading by example, embarked on brilliant akills, skinning his marker before delivering to Fred Amaku. Amaku was in the right place at the right time, clinical as ever, to slot home what would eventually be the winning goal.
Despite late pressure from the Zanzibari giants, URA’s defense held firm, securing a clean sheet and all three points for the Ugandan representatives.
Group A: The Race for the 220M UGX Prize
With this victory, URA FC moves to the joint-top of Group A with 3 points, sitting alongside Singida Black Stars.
Mlandege, who were humbled 3-0 by Singida in the curtain-raiser, now find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table and facing an early exit from the tournament they won in 2023 and 2024.
The stakes are higher than ever this year, with the tournament winner set to walk away with a mouth-watering UGX 220 million (approx. 150M Tanzanian Shillings).
