Mbalangu sees brighter days ahead after URA FC’s Mapinduzi cup test

URA FC head coach Hussein Mbalangu has insisted the Tax Collectors will take plenty of positives from their 2026 Mapinduzi Cup campaign, despite bowing out at the group stage in Zanzibar.

URA’s journey ended on Monday with a narrow 2-1 defeat to hosts Azam FC in their final group match, a result that left them third in the standings with four points and outside the knockout places.

Nelson Ssenkatuka had given the Tax Collectors an early advantage in the 10th minute, but they failed to protect the lead and eventually saw both the match and their qualification hopes slip away.

Reflecting on the game, Mbalangu felt his side largely controlled proceedings but paid the price for lapses in concentration.

“The game was good and we dominated almost 80 percent of it, but in the end we lacked concentration,” said the coach, who recently took over from Alex Isabirye. “We conceded in the first half because of loose marking, and in the second half we pushed for a second goal and created several chances which we didn’t take.

Then they got their chance from a counter-attack and scored in added time.”

URA had started the tournament brightly with a 1-0 victory over Mlandege FC before settling for a 1-1 draw against Singida Black Stars, leaving the Azam match as a decisive showdown.

Despite the early exit, Mbalangu was encouraged by what he saw from his players.

“The boys put up a good fight. It was a good performance even though it’s not the result we wanted. I’m confident that what we are building will soon come to fruition,” he noted.

The coach believes the tournament has highlighted key areas for improvement, especially against more physical opposition.

“The boys have learnt that it’s all about work. Whoever works harder gets the result and that is modern football,” he said. “This has only been my first week at the club, and I’m glad the players have seen for themselves what I’ve been emphasizing. The teams we failed to beat Singida and Azam are very physical, and we have to adjust accordingly.”

Mbalangu added that URA will now look to apply those lessons immediately when they return home and shift focus to league action, starting with Tuesday’s Uganda Premier League clash against Entebbe UPPC at Nakivubo Stadium.