Coach George Lutalo has included eight Women U20 players in the Crested Cranes squad to start preparations for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
The eight youngsters include Fauzia Najjemba, Margaret Kunihira and Shamirah Nalugya who have previously played at the senior level.
The others are Daphine Nyayenga, Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Bira Nadunga and Aisha Nantongo.
These were influential as the Women U20 team eliminated Kenya from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers thanks to a 10-3 aggregate win.
Women U20 Striker Juliet Nalukenge has been excluded having returned to Cyprus for her club duty – Apollon Ladies.
Uganda will face Ethiopia at the second qualifying phase with the first leg slated for 20th October 2021 at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The return leg will then come six days later in Bahir Dar with the winner on aggregate facing either South Sudan or Kenya at the final qualification hurdle.
The other players are mostly from the Crested Cranes team that played at the just concluded COSAFA Women’s Championship where Uganda featured as a guest team in South Africa.
Of the 20 players that travelled to South Africa, 17 have returned while Resty Kobusobozi and Rhoda Nanziri who were part of the provisional squad but didn’t make the final squad are also back.
Striker Fazila Ikwaput who was ruled out of the COSAFA Women’s Championship through injury is also back after recovering.
The team will enter camp on Tuesday at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi and then transfer to FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru the following day.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers – Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves FC), Daphine Nyayenga(Lady Doves FC)
Defenders – Viola Namuddu (Makerere University WFC), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Bira Nadunga (Olila High School WFC), Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Sumaya Komuntale (Tooro Queens FC), Phoebe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Midfielders – Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Rhoda Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Sheebah Zalwango (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Phiona Nabbumba (She Corporate FC), Resty Kobusobozi (Tooro Queens FC), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves FC), Joan Nabirye (Vihiga Queens FC)
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 (New Jersey Copa FC, USA), Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens FC), Margaret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Spencer Nakacwa (Lady Doves FC), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC)
Officials – George Lutalo (Head coach), Edward Kaziba (Assistant Coach), James Magala (Goalkeeping coach).
(Additional reporting from FUFA website)
