At least 36 players have been summoned to start preparations for the Crested Cranes game against Algeria in the first round of next year’s Total Energies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The team was summoned by Ayubu Khalifa, who by virtue of being the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team head coach became the assistant coach of the senior team which remains without a head coach since all technical positions were declared vacant by FUFA in March.
The team will begin preparations at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Wednesday ahead of the first leg to be held on September 16. The teams will meet again a week later in Algiers for the return leg. The winner between Uganda and Algeria will face either Burundi or Ethiopia in the second and final qualification round.
The Crested Cranes will be pushing to return to the continental showpiece for the third time after participating in the previous edition where they were making a return after 20 years. However, the Crested Cranes opponent is expected to pose a significantly tougher challenge unlike the previous qualifiers, which saw them triumph over Ethiopia in the first round and receive a walkover in the second round against Kenya who were serving a FIFA ban.
During the final tournament (AFCON), Uganda was placed in Group A with Morocco, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, the Crested Cranes only secured one point, finishing at the bottom of the group after one draw and two losses.
The team summoned has goalkeepers including Ruth Aturo, Vanessa Edith Karungi, Daisy Nakaziro, and Sharon Kaidu. Defenders include Jolly Kobusinge, Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Samalie Nakacwa, Shakira Nankwanga, Shadia Nankya, Bridget Nabisaalu, Dorcus Lwalisa, Patricia Akiror, Desire Katisi Natooro, and Aisha Nantongo
Midfielders include Joan Nabirye, Phiona Nabbumba, Phionah Nabulime, Josephine Nandigire, Ritica Nabbosa, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Hadijah Nandago, Rhoda Nanziri, and Tracy Jones Akiror
Forwards include Fazila Ikwaput, Sandra Nabweteme, Fauzia Najjemba, Joanita Ainembabazi, Catherine Nagadya, Elizabeth Nakigozi, Anita Namata, Amina Nababi, Margaret Kunihira, Viola Nambi.
URN.