Author: Ahmed Marsha

As the Uganda Women’s National Team, the Crested Cranes, prepared for their crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Ethiopia, player safety took centre stage.

At the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi, Dr. Apollo Ahimbisibwe, FUFA’s Head of Medical, delivered an important presentation on FIFA’s ‘Suspect and Protect’ concussion awareness campaign.

The campaign, launched in 2024 by FIFA in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to educate players, coaches and medical personnel about the dangers of concussion—a serious brain injury that requires immediate attention.

Dr. Ahimbisibwe emphasized that in a contact sport like football, every player is at risk, and understanding concussion symptoms is crucial for long-term well-being.

‘Football ought to be a sport that is safe and secure for all players. The concussion campaign is a step in the right direction of ensuring the safety of all players. Everyone in the sport needs to notice the signs of concussion, which can take up to 72 hours to appear,’ Dr. Ahimbisibwe explained.

FUFA’s commitment to this initiative ensures that all national teams, including the Crested Cranes, receive the necessary education and resources to identify and manage concussions effectively.

“We are glad that the campaign has given us a chance to learn more about how to manage concussion risks. Many times, we want to play and forget about our health in search of results,” noted Crested Cranes defender Jolly Kobusinge.

According to FIFA (inside.fifa.com), the ‘Suspect and Protect’ campaign is designed to increase sign and symptom recognition, highlight that symptoms may take up to 72 hours to appear, and offer guidance on how to return to play safely following a suspected or confirmed concussion. This global initiative seeks to ensure that football remains a safe and enjoyable sport for all participants.

By incorporating the ‘Suspect and Protect’ campaign into Uganda’s football ecosystem, FUFA aims to create a safer environment for players at all levels.

As the Crested Cranes prepared to take the field against Ethiopia, their knowledge of concussion risks and management was strengthened, ensuring that player health remains a top priority both on and off the pitch.

📹 — Uganda National teams welcome FIFA Concussion Campaign@FIFAcom | @CrestedCranes | @CAFwomen #SuspectAndProtect pic.twitter.com/5eilwJKAjG

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) March 5, 2025

The campaign will now be taken to the two U17 National Junior teams of men and women currently in camp preparing for international engagements. The clubs have also been lined up to be taken through the concussion campaign.

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Pictorial

The Uganda U17 Women’s National Team, the Teen Cranes, continued their rigorous training regime in preparation for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2025 qualifiers.

The first leg of the qualifier is scheduled to take place on 8th March at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, before the return leg in Kenya on 16th March. The Teen Cranes are focused on putting up a strong performance to secure a favourable result in this two-legged tie.

Defender Assimwe Zidah, who plays for Boni Consilii Girls’ Vocational Secondary School, expressed her excitement and determination ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

Assimwe Zidah’s Reflections on the Team’s Preparations

“My name is Asimwe Zidah from Boni Consilii Girls’ Vocational Secondary School. I come from the Western Region. First of all, I take this opportunity to thank God because I’m on the Under-17 National Team,” she said

“So far, the training that we are having is very good because we are working hard and putting in the right attitude and sacrifice towards achieving the goals that our coaches have set for us. As players, we are determined to win the upcoming games. We are specifically preparing for the match against Kenya on 8th March, and we are very committed to winning because we have been putting in the effort and will continue to work hard,” she added

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First training at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo

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Second training session at Kampala Quality Playground

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Third training session at Luzira Prisons Grounds

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Fourth training session at Kampala Quality Playground

Makerere University 0-0 FC Tooro Queens
Uganda Martyrs Lubaga 1-0 She Maroons FC
Kampala Queens FC 2-0 She Corporate FC
Olila H/S Grd 2-0 Rines SS WFC
Kawempe Muslim Ladies 2-0 Wakiso Hill WFC

Prisons wardresses ‘martyred’ in Lubaga

Enjoying a resurgence in form in the second round, Uganda Martyrs ladies had to dig deep to beat the She Maroons at the St. Gerald stadium. Skipper Latifah Nakasi fresh from national team duty scored the winner from the penalty spot early into the first half which turned out to be the winner and enough to secure all three points for the hosts. The visitors pushed for an equalizer and
threatened for most of the time but their resilient hosts held on to register their consecutive win of the second round. Workaholic midfielder Nakanjako Immaculate was consequently named the player of the match.

Kampala Queens flawless run continues

Kampala Queens registered another commanding victory at home to subject rivals She Corporates to second round misery.The table leaders were held at bay by their gritty rivals until deep into the second half until when Shamira Nalugya capitalized on a defensive lapse to launch a fierce shot from outside the area to finally beat Molly Naava in the She Corporate’s goal who had until that moment proved unbeatable. Shamira was a few minutes later turn into provider as defender Jamilah Nabulime found herself unmarked in the area to head home ‘the Queens of Soccer’ second goal and eventually kill off any hopes of a comeback from ‘the Sharks’. The Queens went on to monopolise possession to the frustration of their opponents. Nalugya’s outsatnind display earned her the player of the match award.

Olila tame stubborn Rines in Soroti.

In Soroti Olila WFC’s Dorcus Lwalisa carried the day scoring a brace to inspire her side to a very crucial victory at home. Lwalisa Dorcus’ double ensured that the Soroti based side got maximum points off Rines SS WFC breathing life into their relegation survival campaign. On top of being on the winning side at the end of the 90 minutes, Lwalisa’s exploits on the day earned her the Player of the match award.

Makerere struggles at home

Makerere University WFC winless streak in the seocn round continued after being held by Tooro Queens at home on Saturday. The university side has now picked just 2 points in three games of the second round having drawn with Kawempe Muslim Ladies on match day 12 before losing to Kampala Queens on match day 13. Tooro Queens’ Kasemire Imelda put up a suberb performance to eran her the player of the match award.

Kawempe Muslim sink Wakiso Hill further

Kawempe Muslim Ladies returned to winning ways after a slow to the second round that had seen fail to win in their opening. Two first half goals by Esther Nangendo and Jovia Nakagolo were enough to seal victory for the valley warriors who are now playing the chasing game behind rivals Kampala Queens. Youngster Nakagolo Jovia scooped the player of the match award.

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Pictorial: KampalaQueens 2-0 She Corporate

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Pictorial: Kawempe Muslim 2-0 Wakiso Hills

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Sat 1 March 2025

Makerere University – FC Tooro Queens, Makerere University Playground

Uganda Martyrs Lubaga – She Maroons, UMHS Lubaga

Kampala Queens FC – She Corporate FC, MTN Omondi Stadium

Olila H/S Grd – Rines SS WFC, Olila H/S Playground

Sun 2nd March 2025

Kawempe Muslim Ladies – Wakiso Hill WFC, Kawempe Muslim SS

Lady Doves FC – Amusi College WFC, Katusabe Grd (Postponed)

The Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League returns this weekend with fixtures that promise to give the fans another exciting match day of women football across the two days this weekend with four fixtures lined up for Saturday and one more on Sunday.

The league had taken a two-weeks break that involved the senior national women football team face  off with Ethiopia in a double header of the first round of the TotalEnergies Women Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers that concluded on Wednesday. Current leading top scorer Resty Kobusobozi (10 goals) led the legion of local stars that were part of Sheryl Botes side which fell at the hands of Ethiopia on penalties in Addis Ababa. Lady Doves and Kobusobozi will be made to wait for another weekend to see their stars in action as the game with Amus College was postponed.

Makerere host Tooro Queens

The Makerere university side will not want to lose a second game on the bounce having suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Kampala Queens in their last fixture. They hope to get their first win of the second round when they host the relegation-threatened Queens from Tooro who lost their last game to Uganda Martyrs at home.

Uganda Martyrs ladies want to make it 2 in 2.

After getting maximum points on match day 13 when they visited Tooro Queens in Fort Portal, the Kiddawalime girls will want to build on that to further improve their standings on the table and hope for a better finish after having a rather hard first round that saw them slide in the bottom half of the table all the time. They host She Maroons, a very unpredictable side that blows hot and cold. Having won the first leg at their backyard in Luzira 2-0 the Prisons’ side will come with confidence and try to collect a point at the St Gerald stadium.

She Corporate will attempt to halt the immaculate Queens’ run

In what can easily be termed as the biggest match of match day 14, former champions She Corporate visit the MTN Omondi stadium in attempt to put a halt on the Kampala Queens good run that has seen them gain advantage at the top of the table on 28 points and yet to test defeat. Kampala Queens is the only team yet to taste defeat this season. The now Jinja based side found it hard to get results in the first round but switching base form Nakawa to now Bugembe stadium in Jinja seems to have come with luck amassing 4 points out of the possible 6 in their last two fixtures. Kampala Queens won the reverse fixture played at the MUBS arena in Nakawa 1-0 and will be hoping to subject their rivals to yet another loss to keep their title charge on course.

Olila counting on home advantage against stubborn Rines

The Soroti based side will bank on home advantage when they host one of the most stubborn sides in the league – Rines SS SFC at the Olila H/S playground. The hosts find themselves in the relegation battle after a series of bad results and every game is like a final to them. In Rines they host a side that is very unpredictable but their recent home loss to fellow strugglers Tooro Queens on matchday 12 gives them hope that they can as well pull off a decent result.

Kawempe Muslim want to keep title defence dream alive, Wakiso remains winless

On Sunday Kawempe Muslim will do anything to win to keep pressure on runaway leaders Kampala Queens. After their surprising home loss to She Maroons on match day 13, the Valley Warriors take on Wakiso Hill WFC a side that is yet to win a game in this season and it is hard to believe that Kawempe Muslim will be their first victim. 

The hosts are buoyed by the return of their captain Shakira Nyinagahirwa who has been sidelined for more than a season with a knee injury. The star player was introduced in the game against She Maroons though she couldn’t help her side to avoid defeat. With her availability Kawempe is expected to be a different animal expected to push the Queens of Soccer to the limit.

The Uganda Senior Women’s National Football Team, the Crested Cranes, endured a painful elimination from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers after falling to Ethiopia in a dramatic second-leg encounter at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Uganda succumbed to a spirited Ethiopian comeback, losing 2-0 in normal time before suffering a 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout.

Aregash Kalsa and Etsegenet Girma were Ethiopia’s heroes, netting crucial goals to level the aggregate score at 2-2 and force the game into spot-kicks.

Uganda had chances to seal qualification early on but failed to capitalize, with Resty Nanziri and Fazila Ikwaput misfiring. Ethiopia, too, missed key opportunities in the first half before stepping up the pressure after the break.

The game took a decisive turn in the 55th minute when Uganda was reduced to 10 players following Fazila Ikwaput’s second booking. Ethiopia took advantage, with Kalsa scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 66th minute.

Uganda held on desperately to their aggregate lead, but in the dying moments of added time, Girma curled in a brilliant free kick to force a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Phiona Nabbumba struck the post for Uganda, while Daisy Nakaziro made a crucial save against Senaf Wakuma. However, Ethiopian goalkeeper Terikwa Bergena denied Resty Kobusobozi, sealing Ethiopia’s triumph.

Ethiopia will now face Tanzania in the final qualification stage, with the latter eliminating Equatorial Guinea 4-2 on aggregate.

For Uganda, head coach Sheryl Botes Ulanda will shift focus to the Uganda U17 Girls’ National Team, the Teen Cranes, as they gear up for their 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Kenya on March 8th in Uganda.

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The draw for the round of 32 of the 6th edition of the FUFA Women’s Cup was conducted on Wednesday 26th February 2025 at FUFA House.

The draw featured 32 teams, which were divided into two pots.

Pot A: Will had the 12 Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League Teams and the top two teams from each of the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Elite League Groups (4 teams) while Pot B had the remaining 10 Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Elite League teams and 6 regional teams.

Defending champions She Corporate will start the title defence campaign with an away trip to Busoga Queens while current Finance Trust Bank FUFA women super league leaders Kampala Queens will visit Jinja City Queens.

Meanwhile former champions Makerere University will make to trip to play Ateker WFC while Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC will play Royal Dreamers on the road.

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Round of 32 Draws

SIA international Academy vs Uganda Martyrs Lubaga

Jinja City Quuens vs Kampala Queens

Busoga QUEENS vs She Corporate

Isra Soccer Academy vs Amus College

Ateker WFC vs Makerere University

Gold Star Ladies vs Lady Doves

Boni Consil WFC vs Kawempe Muslim SS

She Kasese vs She Maroons

Uganda Martyrs JR vs FC Tooro Queens

She Geme vs Wakiso Hill WFC

Lady Eagles vs Riness SS

Lango Queens vs St Noa Girls

Scrade Heart vs Olila HS WFC

UCU Lady Cardinals vs Asubo Ladies

Royal Dreamers vs Kawempe Muslim WFC

Pabo United vs Highway Ladies

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Round 32 games will be played between 9th – 16th March 2025.

Meanwhile at the same event, the round of 16 draws where confirmed as follows,

Confirmed Round of 16

Round of 16 Draws

Winner 6 vs Winner 7

Winner 5 vs Winner 15

Winner 10 vs Winner 16

Winner 8 vs Winner 2

Winner 13 vs Winner 12

Winner 3 vs Winner 11

Winner 9 vs Winner 1

Winner 4 vs Winner 14

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The stage is set for a blockbuster clash as the Ethiopian national women’s football team hosts their Ugandan counterparts in Addis Ababa in the second leg of the first round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Qualifiers at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Wednesday at 3:00PM (EAT).

Both sides are expected to present a strong challenge in this do-or-die encounter, which will determine the team that advances to the second and final round of qualifiers, where the winner on aggregate will face the victor between Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.

Uganda carry a 2-0 advantage from the reverse fixture played in Kampala at the Hamz Stadium four days ago. They staged a late assault that saw Zaina Namuleme and Fazila Ikwaput score at the tail end of the match. The closely contested first leg underlined the quality of both teams, promising a fiercely competitive return leg.

History favours the Crested Cranes in this competition, as they previously defeated Ethiopia 2-1 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw to qualify for the 2022 edition of Africa’s premier women’s football tournament, which was staged in Morocco.

However, the home side has a reputation for rising to the occasion in big matches, and they will be determined to overturn the first-leg result and possibly shock the Crested Cranes.

With both teams boasting immense quality in their squads, this fixture promises to be a thrilling encounter.

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Quotes

Crested Cranes Head Coach and Team Captain

“We have finalized everything today we are all positive and the girls are in good condition. We need to tighten up a little bit in all our departments so that we don’t give the opponent a chance to score goals. Today’s training was a repetition of what we have been training all along, especially in our first game and it’s all about repeating what we want them to do until perfection.” – Sheryl Botes, Crested Cranes Head coach

“The mood in the camp is very good everyone is focused and our major goal here is to beat Ethiopia, get the points and qualify to the next stage. We had a challenge with the weather but thank God we are now used, we came early so we’ve learnt to deal with it. In the last training, we’ve concentrated on set pieces and we are now good to go.” – Viola Nambi, Crested Cranes Captain

Ethiopian Head Coach and Team Captain

“We were unlucky to concede a goal in the final moments of the first game, but the match is far from over. In front of our supporters, we are fully committed to giving our best effort to qualify for the next round. We firmly believe in our ability to achieve this goal.” – Yoseph Geberwold, Ethiopia Lucy Head Coach

“We lost the first game but that doesn’t mean the game is over we have another 90min tomorrow. We are very sure tomorrow we will win and qualify. I believe we will qualify.” – Loza Abera, Ethiopia Lucy Captain

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Pictorial – Last Training