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Bulega: We must win Cecafa Challenge Cup
Shot stopper Aturo is the new Crested Cranes skipper. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
- From the squad that won silver in Rwanda, captain Tracy Jones Akiror and Yudaya Nakayenze have since moved to USA and the captaincy will now move to Ruth Aturo.
Onyango first played at the tournaCrested Cranes coach Faridah Bulega believes the only way to enhance her squad’s reputation is by triumphing at the Cecafa Women’s Challenge Cup due November 13-23 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The women’s national team came second, after being edged by Tanzania on goal difference, at last year’s edition in Rwanda and now the challenge is to go one step ahead.
“Of course after last year’s performance, the natural feeling is that everyone thinks we must win,” Bulega told Daily Monitor after yesterday’s press conference at Fufa House – Mengo, where she announced a squad of 35 ladies summoned for training that starts today in Luzira.
Bulega will miss the services of Lillian Mutuuzo, Mariam Nakabugo, Juliet Adeke and Liz Nakigozi among others doing ordinary and advanced level examinations while Fauzia Najjemba is expected to join camp – that will then have shifted to the residential base at Njeru Technical Centre – after her last paper on November 8.
New captain
From the squad that won silver in Rwanda, captain Tracy Jones Akiror and Yudaya Nakayenze have since moved to USA and the captaincy will now move to Ruth Aturo.
“We believe that among these 35, we can get the 20 that will bring us joy from Tanzania,” she added at the presser, where she expressed her gratitude towards the addition of Ayub Khalifan, to her technical bench as second assistant coach after SC Villa’s Edward Kaziba.
Khalifan has won four Fufa Women Elite League (FWEL) titles with Kawempe Muslim and also recently won the Cosafa U-17 Women’s Championship in Mauritius.
“When the need to beef up the national team’s technical bench arose, he (Khalifan) was high in pecking order,” Fufa’s deputy chief executive officer in charge of national teams Decolas Kizza, said when asked if the addition was a reward for Khalifan’s triumph with the U-17 national team.
CECAFA CHALLENGE CUP
Group A: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti.
Group B: Tanzania, Burundi, Zanzibar, S. Sudan.
UGANDA’S FIXTURES AT CHAMANZI
November 15: Uganda vs. Djibouti
November 17: Uganda vs. Ethiopia
November 19: Kenya vs. Uganda
SUMMONED SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (UCU), Daisy Nakaziro, Irene
Atumango (Lady Doves), Vannesa Karungi (She Cor)
Defenders: Viola Namuddu (Makerere Univ.), Shadia
Nankya, Mercy Nabulobi (UCU), Bridget Nabisaalu
(She Corporate), Margret Birabirwa (Muteesa 1
Royal), Marion Amangat, Eunice Ariokot (Olila HS),
Brendah Nandagire (Uganda Martyrs), Stella
Musibika (Kawempe Muslim), Grace Aluka
(Maroons), Aisha Namukisa (Kampala Queens)
Midfielders: Asia Nakibuka (Kawempe), Sarah
Nakuya (Nkumba U), Norah Alupo (Saviors), Zaina
Nandede,Esther Beatrice Adokole (She Kataka),
Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves),Teddy Najjuma (UCU),
Harriet Nakuba, Fauzia Najjemba (K’la Queens),
Phiona Nabumba (She Corporate), Amina Nababi
(Makerere University)
Forwards: Hasifa Nassuna (Uganda Christian
University - Mukono), Shamirah Nalugya, Juliet
Nalukenge, Margaret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim),
Rashidah Nankya (Uganda Martyrs University), Resty
Nanziri,Mable Kusasira, Zainah Namuleme (Kampala
Queens), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves)
