Author: Ahmed Marsha

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2022
First Round, Return Leg
Uganda vs Kenya
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Friday, 8th October 2021
Kickoff: 4PM

Uganda will be hoping to advance to the second round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers with victory over neighbors Kenya.

The two East African Nations will face off on Friday at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. Uganda earned a 7-2 win away in Nairobi.

Despite registering a comfortable victory in the first leg, Uganda U20 Women’s National Team head coach, Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi insists they are not underestimating their counterparts.

“We go into Friday’s game with full focus and commitment and our target is earn maximum points. I believe Kenya have made better preparations than the first leg and will come in better shape,” he said after the team’s last training on Thursday.

Kiyingi indicates he has tried to warn the players against being complacent, citing examples of the previous opponents they faced.

“I have tried to emphasize to the players that the job is not yet done. We had the same scenario with the U17 team two years ago when we lost 2-1 away in Tanzania, our opponents despised us in the return leg and we ended up winning 5-0 at home.”

Captain Fauzia Najjemba is optimistic the team will be able to win at home and advance to the next stage.

“We are ready for tomorrow’s as players, the coaches have prepared us well and our focus is to win. We won the first leg but that is behind us now and the target is to win at home so that we progress to the next level.”

Team News

Midfielders Shamirah Nalugya and Shakira Nyinagahirwa had slight knocks but gave both recovered and will be available for selection.

The rest of the players are fit and available.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Kenya will face either South Africa or Mozambique at the second round.

COSAFA Women’s Championship 2021
Group C, Matchday 2
Uganda 5-1 Eswatini

The Crested Cranes put up a brilliant display to outwit Eswatini at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship in South Africa.

Right from onset, Uganda looked liked a team on mission and threw the kitchen sink at Eswatini.

In the end, the restless efforts paid off dividends with Uganda earning 5-1 win to get the campaign back on the rails.

Coach George Lutalo made three changes from the team that had started against Namibia with captain Ruth Aturo, Norah Alupo and Hasifa Nassuna starting on bench.

Laki Otandeka Kanyesigye, Phiona Nabbumba and Daisy Nakaziro starting with the latter earning her debut.

Combative midfielder Joan Nabirye opened the scores in the 15th minute to set the tone for the rest of the game.

Her ferocious strike brought confidence to the team and Uganda went ahead to dominate every aspect.

Another midfielder, Riticia Nabbosa doubled the lead with a close finish, tapping home from Resty Nanziri’s cross ten minutes later.

In the second stanza, Eswatini had a good start and eventually got the consolation through Celiwe Nkambule who capitalized on a mistake by Asia Nakibuuka.

However, their hope for an attempt at a comeback was shortlived with Nabweteme restoring parity in the 62nd minute.

Nassuna who replaced Nabbosa took a few minutes to announce her arrival, scoring two quick goals, the first a well taken free kick in the 72nd minute and the other a perfect low drive, three minutes later.

Uganda (on 4 points) will face Zambia in the final group game on Wednesday.

Crested Cranes Starting XI

Ruth Aturo, Viola Namuddu, Phoebe Banura, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya, Joan Nabirye, Riticia Nabbosa, Phiona Nabbumba, Sandra Nabweteme, Resty Nanziri, Laki Otandeka

Crested Cranes Captain Ruth Aturo is relishing the opportunity of leading her teammates at her second COSAFA Women Championship.

Aturo says she can’t wait to walk out of the dressing room as they face Namibia in their group C opener at the Madibaz Stadium on Thursday with Kick off set for 1pm (EAT).

Aturo who was voted the best goalkeeper when Uganda’s Senior Women side debuted at the annual event in 2018 as Uganda finished 3^rd behind eventual winners South Africa and Cameroon says it is a dream come true for her to lead the National team at such a big tournament.

‘I am so excited about captaining this great side at this tournament. The team is in great shape and looking forward to our first game against Namibia. We are well prepared and looking forward to getting a positive result against Namibia’ Aturo stated

This is the second time Uganda takes part in the competition with the maiden appearance coming three years ago.

The three group winners will be joined by the best second placed team from all the groups in the semifinals.

In the other Group C fixture, fresh from their Tokyo 2020 Olympics 2019 finalists Zambia will take on Eswantini in the second fixture of the day.

With only the top team in each pool guaranteed of advancing to the semifinals, the game against Namibia provides a huge test to the technical team headed by George Lutalo that wants to use the COSAFA experience to fine tune the squad and build momentum ahead of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled to take place in October. Uganda will face Ethiopia in the first round of the qualifiers.

Lutalo believes this is a perfect chance to build a team that will ably compete in the Qualifiers of 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations.

“The COSAFA Women’s Championship presents a good opportunity for us to know how best we can go into the AWCON Qualifiers. We hope to have the best performance in South Africa as build up to the games against Ethiopia.” He indicated.

The ninth edition of the COSAFA Women’s Championship got underway on Tuesday in Nelson Mandela Bay as host nation and record winners South Africa seek to win unprecedented fifth title in a row. 

The Crested Cranes will be seeking to emulate their Juniors, the U17 side that won the Junior version of the tournament in 2019 in Mauritius. Uganda will rely on the quality of star players Sandra Nabweteme, Laki Otandeka, hasifah Nasuuna, Shadia Nankya, goalkeepers Ruth Aturo and Daisy Nakaziro.

Uganda U20 Women’s National Team Head Coach, Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has warned his charges against complacency as the team continues with preparations for the encounter against Kenya.

Uganda registered a convincing win (7-2) in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium but Kiyingi indicates the tie is far from over with the return leg slated for 8th October at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

“We had a convincing victory in the first leg which is very good but we should not rest on our laurels thinking the job is done,” he stated before adding, ” our opponents are preparing and perhaps will come back better and try to overturn the first leg deficit.” He said.

The coach insists he is trying to show the players that there is still something to fight for and thus discouraging complacency.

“I’m trying to show the players that the job is not yet done. We need to be more serious than even before we played the first game.”

Should Uganda go ahead to eliminate Kenya, either South Africa or Mozambique wait next in line at the second qualifying phase.

Uganda U20 Women’s National Team head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has made additions to the group that is preparing to face Kenya in the return leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

With Uganda earning a 7-2 win in the first leg, the second leg of the tie is slated for 8th October 2021 at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende

The U20 Women’s National Team camp was on Wednesday morning boosted with the addition of four new faces.

Winger Ronah Regina Nantege, midfielder Phiona Nabulime, right back Winnie Kwatulira and striker Allen Nassazi took part in Wednesday’s training session.

The above quartet was also joined by goalkeeper Saidat Namwanje who was been part of the initial squad summoned but did not travel with the team to Kenya.

Kiyingi believes the addition of the aforementioned players will bring about competition to the team as they prepare to face Kenya.

We had an inclusion of four new players to make a total of 25. These girls were part of the initial list of 35 I had submitted but I could only work with 30. If you look at what they gave us in their first training with the group, I believe they will bring healthy competition to the team as we work towards the return leg.

The coach further states that the addition of a player in each department is aimed at bolstering the entire team.

The choice on who to add was based on what we want to achieve and that is why we looked at every department. The new players will bring positive energy and that can spread across.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Kenya face either South Africa or Mozambique at the next round (second qualifying phase).

Uganda Women’s Senior National Team head coach George Lutalo confirmed the final list of players that will represent the country in this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship in South Africa.

Lutalo named a squad of 20 players and the team departed Entebbe International Airport in the wee hours of Monday morning (3:30am).

The squad named comprises of two goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.

According to Lutalo, the squad named has been based on the players’ performance in training.

‘We have had almost two weeks of preparations and the final 20 players named are those that excelled in training. I have the belief that the team named will do well in South Africa noted Lutalo

Uganda is pooled in Group C alongside Zambia, Eswatini and Namibia. The first game for the Crested Cranes will come on 30th September against Eswatini.

It should be noted that only the group leaders in each of the three groups will advance to the Semifinals with the best second placed team taking the fourth slot.

This is the second time the Crested Cranes are featuring at the annual Championship as a guest team. The first time came in 2018 and Uganda finished third.

Crested Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers
Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves FC)

Defenders
Viola Namuddu (Makerere University WFC), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Eunice Ariokot (Olila High School WFC), Bridget Nabisaalu (She Corporate FC), Phoebe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Midfielders
Joan Nabirye(Vihiga Queens FC), Reticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves FC), Sheebah Zalwango (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Phiona Nabbumba (She Corporate FC), Spencer Nakacwa (Lady Doves FC), Amina Nababi (Makerere University WFC),

Forwards
Hasifa Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Sharon Naddunga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC), Sandra Nabweteme (Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, Iceland), Laki Otandeka Kanyesigye (New Jersey Copa FC, USA), Norah Alupo (Lady Doves FC)

Officials

Leader of Delegation – Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi- FUFA 3rd Vice President

Head Coach – George Lutalo
Assistant Coach – Edward Kaziba
Goalkeeping Coach – James Magala

Team Coordinator -Paul Ssali Mukisa
Team Doctor – Meble Katabalindwa
Kits Officer- Prossy Nalwadda
Media Officer – Faridah Tomusange Nassejje

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2022

First Round, First Leg

Nyayo National Stadium

Kenya 2-7 Uganda

Goals for Uganda scored by Juliet Nalukenge (2), Sumaya Komuntale (2), Marget Kunihira, Fauzia Najjemba and Shamira Nalugya

It was a perfect outing for the Uganda U20 Women’s National Team at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, thanks to a brilliant display.

Uganda registered a convincing 7-2 win on the road to put one foot into the second round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Right from kickoff, the Ladies clad in white showed no mercy for the home side and went ahead to earn a convincing result.

Juliet Nalukenge opened the scores for Uganda, scoring in the second minute when ran between Kenyan defenders to head home from Fauzia Najjemba’s cross.

The early goal brought confidence to the team and dominated in every aspect. The arrival of the second goal was just a matter of time.

It was Margaret Kunihira who doubled the lead, thanks to her solitary run off the right wing that saw her race beyond the Kenyan backline and lobbed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Captain Najjemba stretched the lead in the 21^st minute with a brilliant finish inside the area as the team went on rampage.

When Nalukenge was fouled inside the area in the 26^th minute, Shamira Nalugya took the duty of taking the penalty and she did no mistake to convert from the spot.

Nalukenge once again came haunting to register her second goal of the day before left back Sumaya komuntale curled home a free kick at the stroke of half time and the score board read 0-6 ahead of the mandatory break.

Kenya looked better in the second stanza and made several inroads in an effort to chance the game.

Striker Shaylene Opiso eventually netted a second half brace to the delight of the Kenyan legion inside Nyayo National Stadium.

However, with two minute to the end, Komuntale put the icing on the cake with the 7^th goal for Uganda when she pounced onto a loose ball and her effort went straight into the back of the net.

Uganda takes a big advantage into this tie with the return leg slated for 8^th October in Kampala.

The winner on aggregate will face either South Africa or Mozambique in the second round.

Uganda U20 WNT Starting XI

Daphine Nyayenga(GK), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Bira Nadunga, Aisha Nantongo, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shamira Nalugya, Hadijah Nandago, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira

Uganda U20 Women’s National Team Head Coach, Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has named the team that will start against Kenya in the first leg of the first round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2022 Qualifiers.

The two teams face off this Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium in the heart of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Kickoff is 3:00PM (EAT).

Daphine Nyayenga starts in goal with Samalie Nakacwa and Sumaya Komuntale playing as the right and left backs respectively.

The Centre back pairing will have Bira Nadunga and Aisha Nantongo.

In a 4-3-3 formation, the midfield will have Shakira Nyinagahirwa as the holding midfielder with Shamira Nalugya and Hadijah Nandago playing in the attacking areas.

The forward line has lethal striker Juliet Nalukenge as the target point with Captain Fauzia Najjemba offering support from the left while Margret Kunihira will play as a right winger.

Uganda U20 Starting XI

Daphine Nyayenga(GK), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Bira Nadunga, Aisha Nantongo, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shamira Nalugya, Hadijah Nandago, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira

Substitutes

Joan Namusisi (GK), Grace Aluka, Harima Kanyago, Kevin Nakacwa, Eva Nagayi, Catherine Nagadya, Zaitun Namaganda, Zainah Nandede, Jowelia Nagadya,

As Uganda prepares to face Kenya in the first round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, here is a brief profile on each of the 20 players.

The information gives a closer understanding of every player on the current team with majority having featured for the U17 two years ago.

Name: Namusisi Joan

Club: Kampala Queens
Date of Birth: 07/05/2004
Home Town: Bweyogerere
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Christine Nakigozi
Father’s Name: Moses Musisi (RIP)
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 18
Position: Goalkeeper

Name: Daphine Nyayenga

Club: Lady Doves FC
Date of Birth: 19/12/2004
Home Town: Kabowa
Tribe: Alur
Mother’s Name: Betty Namutebi
Father’s Name: James Nobert Wokorach
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 01
Position: Goalkeeper

Name: Samalie Nakacwa

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 15/01/2003
Home Town: Wobulenzi
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Catherine Nakabira
Father’s Name: Saul Mulo Lubega
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 9
Position: Right Back

Name: Sumaya Komuntale

Club: Tooro Queens FC
Date of Birth: 03/08/2003
Home Town: Kyenjonjo
Tribe: Mutooro
Mother’s Name: Aisha Karungi
Father’s Name: Badru Nyakahuma
Strong Foot: Left
Favourite Shirt Number: 14
Position: Left Back

Name: Halima Kanyago

Club: Lady Doves FC
Date of Birth: 09/11/2004
Home Town: Bweyogerere
Tribe: Japadhola
Mother’s Name: Dorothy Nakibuule
Father’s Name: Steven Onyango
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 20
Position: Central Defender

Name: Aisha Nantongo

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 06/04/2002
Home Town: Kassanda
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Jane Atyeno
Father’s Name: Abdul Ssentongo
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 15
Position: Central Defender

Name: Grace Aluka

Club: Olila High School WFC
Date of Birth: 02/06/2003
Home Town: Soroti
Tribe: Iteso
Mother’s Name: Stella Aluka
Father’s Name: Justin Emong
Strong Foot: Left
Favourite Shirt Number: 16
Position: Central Defender

Name: Biira Nadunga

Club: Olila High School WFC
Date of Birth: 18/02/2003
Home Town: Mbale
Tribe: Mugisu
Mother’s Name: Zowena Nambuya
Father’s Name: Nathan Wazemba
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 17
Position: Central Defender

Name: Shakira Nyinagahirwa

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies
Date of Birth: 25/07/2005
Home Town: Kalagi
Tribe: Ituusi
Mother’s Name: Sarah Nakabugo
Father’s Name: Musitafa Funi
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 8
Position: Central Midfielder

Name: Zaitun Namaganda

Club: Taggy High School
Date of Birth: 22/03/2003
Home Town: Entebbe
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Rukia Baluka
Father’s Name: Mubarak Kirigwajjo
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 12
Position: Central Midfielder

Name: Kevin Nakacwa

Club: Uganda Martyrs High School WFC
Date of Birth: 05/04/2004
Home Town: Mengo
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Joyce Nanyonjo
Father’s Name: Eugene Bukenya
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 11
Position: Central Midfielder

Name: Hadijah Nandago

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 15/02/2005
Home Town: Lungujja
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Mariam Namakula
Father’s Name: Abdallah Kitengejja
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 12
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Name: Shamirah Nalugya

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 12/09/2003
Home Town: Bweyogerere
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Ritah Nakabiri
Father’s Name: Sulaiman Lutalo
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 11
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Name: Catherine Nagadya

Club: Uganda Martyrs High School WFC
Date of Birth: 03/05/2005
Home Town: Katabi
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Irene Nazziwa
Father’s Name: Gimei Cyprian
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 7
Position: Winger

Name: Zaina Nandede

Club: Kataka SHE FC
Date of Birth: 15/10/2003
Home Town: Mbale
Tribe: Mugisu
Mother’s Name: Zainah Kafuko
Father’s Name: Hakim Wasukira
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 14
Position: Winger

Name: Eva Naggayi

Club: Rines SS WFC
Date of Birth: 01/01/2004
Home Town: Busega
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Faridah Natabi
Father’s Name: Augustine Mpoza
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 30
Position: Forward

Name: Margaret Kunihira

Club: Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 09/09/2004
Tribe: Mutooro
Mother’s Name: Margret Kyahura
Father’s Name: Elly Kyahura
Favourite Shirt Number:13
Position: Winger

Name: Joweria Nagadya

Club: Lady Doves FC
Date of Birth: 01/01/2006
Home Town: Lubaga
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Betty Namisango
Father’s Name: Moses Kalisa
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 14
Position: Striker

Name: Juliet Nalukenge

Club: Apollon Ladies FC
Date of Birth: 14/08/2003
Home Town: Namugongo
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Jane Nakacwa
Father’s Name: Paul Kasirye
Strong Foot: Right
Favourite Shirt Number: 10
Position: Striker

Name: Fauzia Najjemba

Club: Kampala Queens FC
Date of Birth: 07/10/2003
Home Town: Nakifuma
Tribe: Muganda
Mother’s Name: Hawah Namulondo
Father’s Name: Zubairi Kivumbi
Strong Foot: Both
Favourite Shirt Number: 13
Position: Striker