Tooro Queens Women Football club says that they will be “seriously competing” as they enter into their second season in top flight.
Formed in 2016, the side started playing in Kitara Region Women League before they got promoted to FUFA Women Elite league (Second Division) in 2019 after defeating Bunyaruguru girls 6-2 on aggregate in Kitara promotion play offs.
The Queens sportingly qualified to 2020/21 FUFA Women Super League (top flight) after edging Kampala Kyebando’s side Asubo Gafford Ladies 4-2 in shootouts following a barren draw in the normal time of 2019 FUFA Women Elite League promotion play off finals at Njeru.
Unfortunately, the Fort Portal side had to wait for over 13 months for women football to return to action following the cancellation of the entire 2020 season due to covid 19 when the government put a halt on sports activities in the country.
And when the league resumed in April last year, in order to avoid the rampant spread of covid by then, it had to be played in a two-week tournament format where ten teams were divided into two groups at Njeru (neutral venue).
The move serious affected the newbies who banked on home support, and this explains why they only had to fight relegation after winning only one game in a group of five.
With the situation back to normal, the Queens are buoyant ahead of their second season.
They will start their campaign against Rines SS WFC on Sunday at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, Wakiso.
Tooro Queens head coach Rogers Ayesiga said they picked a lot of lessons in their maiden season which have prepared his side.
“Yes, the team is ready for the challenge in the league – we learnt some lessons from last season and now head into this with new ideas that we feel will put us at the top of the rest, and this time round we seriously in to compete seriously not just participate,” said Ayesiga.
“We shall play positively and respect all our opponents. No team is small in this league. All the teams are strong but we are not scared of any. I have a lot of confidence in my squad.”
The team lost Joan Ainembabazi to Rines, Winnie Babirye to She Mak and Stella Basemera.
They recruited Forward Mary Kemigisa from Uganda Martyrs High school, attacking midfielder Shivon Atuhaire from Lion sport academy, midfielder Oliver Kayingira from kings of Kings college and wing back Basemera Udita from Udanda Martyrs.
“I agree we lost some of the players who were very important last season but we have moved on and prepared a good squad with enough players we have,” Ayesiga added.
The team will also be without Sumaya Komuntale for their opener who is on National duty with U20 national team that will face Ghana for the return leg of U20 Women World Cup Qualifiers.
Last season, the country queens finished 4th in a group of 5 teams, surviving relegation at the expense of Makerere University (She Mak). They lost to group winners Uganda Martyrs, Kawempe Muslims and Kampala Queens.
Tooro Queens 2022 squad with shirt numbers.
*Goalkeepers – Kamuli Cecilia 30, Namakula Gloria 80.
*Defenders – Katusabe Janepher 13, Kaheru Florence 4, Amanyire Rosemary 23, Nabulime Jamilah 17, Awadifo Jeninga 25, Komuntale Sumaya 14, Kyererezi Violet 6, Kobusinge Jolly 3, Basemera Uditor 16, Kabarwani Ciccy 15.
*Midfielders – Nyakato Ruth 7, Kasemiire Imelda 11, Atuhaie Shivon Jean 18, Kanyiginya Oliver 20, Nassuna Shamirah 2, Kayima Margret 19, Kobu sobozi Resty 9, Mbikirize Sarah 24, Namakula Agnes 28.
*Forwards – Katusiime Evelyn 22, Kanyiginya Sharon 8, Kabaculezi Mary 12, Kemigisa Mary 10, Natasha Evelyne 21.
