🇺🇬Crested Cranes players in high spirits ahead of the forthcoming AWCON qualifiers

Crested Cranes players that started on of their Cosafa game. ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Members of the Uganda Senior Women’s National football Team (Crested Cranes) are confident of delivering a strong performance in their forthcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Crested Cranes will face Ethiopia at the second qualifying phase of the 2022 AWCON Qualifiers with the first leg slated for 20th October 2021 at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende and then a return leg in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia six days later.

And as they continue preparing for the first leg that will be played at St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende , the prevailing perspective within the Crested Cranes camp is best summarized in the words of its members.

At first it was George Lutalo, the Crested Cranes head coach who revealed that he has been greatly impressed by his players’ response to the needed levels against their opponents (Ethiopia) and as we talk right now, the players themselves feel greatly improved and ready for the game as some of them reacted after Saturday’s training session.

Satisfied with her team’s preparations, Left back Banura Phoebe said that the entire group is “well prepared ” heading into the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia.

Phoebe Banura (with bib) closes down Fauzia Najjemba during Crested Cranes training | FUFA Media Photo

“This is our fourth day in the camp, we’re well prepared, our coaches are giving us good training and I think our supporters and the whole country should expect good results from us because we’re well prepared and all players are in good shape, so everyone should expect positive results from us.”
A confident Phoebe Banura said after the team’s evening training session

On the other hand, Laki Otandeka (Striker-New Jersey Copa FC, USA) revealed that she isn’t fazed by taking on Ethiopia; in fact, she is not only excited, but also confident about her own and her team’s chances, strengths and advantage as they get ready for the Ethiopians.

The USA based striker critically looked at the areas they (Crested Cranes) need to work on to ensure they get the best possible results from the first and second leg of their forthcoming AWCON qualifiers.

Laki Otandeka Kanyesigye in action (COSAFA Media).

“As a team I feel Uganda has a chance of beating Ethiopia. I know in the past meetings we have won and we have lost, but this team is more energized, it has more talent than the previous teams not to say that they were bad but I feel like this set of girls that I have been training with are special,”
“And I think we really have a great chance of winning as long as we put the ball in the back of the net. Uganda’s advantage will be our pace I think we are a faster team after watching some videos of the past games,”

“We have a greater advantage of having quicker players as well as having a quick central midfield presence and our goal keeper is far stronger than Ethiopia’s so just hoping that the strikers and the attacking midfielders can finish the job the moment we get the opportunity upfront.”
Crested Cranes striker Laki Otandeka said after Saturday’s training (quoted by Fufa.co.ug)

In the same line, Crested Cranes striker Sandra Nabweteme who plays for Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar (Iceland) believes the Crested Cranes team is an organised team that only néeds to stay focused , work hard and do what the coaches tell them to do in order to get positive results over Ethiopia

Sandra Nabweteme (in front) |FUFA Media Photo

“Me I think like we have practiced a lot to get the result that we need on Wednesday,we are going to work hard to see that we get what we need because we need a win to go to Ethiopia with, such that even there, we work hard to also get the result to qualify to the next round,”
“We are an organized team if we go in like focusing on what we need and what the coaches tell us to do and our focus will get us the results over Ethiopia.”
Sandra Nabweteme disclosed to Fufa.co.ug after Saturday’s training session

Meanwhile, UCU Lady Cardinals’ striker Hasifa Nassuna is clearly looking forward to the challenges ahead of the Crested Cranes team and believes their participation in the just concluded Cosafa women’s championship helped them as a team to gain the much needed fitness and team work ahead of their encounters with the Ethiopians.

She also revealed that the Crested Cranes Techical team is utilizing the ongoing residential training camp at the FUFA Techical Center, Njeru to correct the mistakes they (players) made during the Cosafa Championship and Hasifa believes this has boosted their concentration and focus.

“The team is in good condition because our participation is COSAFA helped us as a team to gain fitness and team work and its going to help us win Ethiopia,”

“Right now, our coaches are concentrating so much on correcting our mistakes that we made in South Africa which has boosted our concentration and focus and this is going to help us a lot win the game.”
Hasifa Nassuna said after Saturday’s training session (quoted by Fufa.co.ug)

Lastly, Crested Cranes captain and shot-stopper Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals FC) commended FUFA for giving them an opportunity to participate in the just concluded Cosafa Women’s championship and believes it has played a major role in improving their fitness.

The Crested Cranes Custodian isn’t demotivated by her team’s dismal performance in the Cosafa Women’s Championship and believes it was a very good challenge and a great learning experience.

Crested Cranes Skipper Ruth Aturo | Cosafa Media

“We had a very good challenge in South Africa but we have picked something important from that and we have to thank the federation for allowing us the opportunity that has helped us come back with improved fitness and preparing for the qualifier against Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia is a good team yes, but my team is better given that the last game we played against them in CECAFA we beat them 1-0,”
“However much they are preparing for us, we are ready for them because we have had a good guidance from our coaches during trainings and the players are really motivated. I believe we shall produce we shall overcome them and go through to the next round.”
Aturo said after Saturday’s training session ( as quoted by Fufa.co.ug )

The Crested Cranes will continue putting final touches to their preparations at the FUFA Techical Center, Njeru under the guidance of George Lutalo and his entire techical team ahead of the crucial games against Ethiopia.

#SbkSportsMailUpdate
Lutalo adds U20 trio to @CrestedCranes initial provisional squad ahead of the forthcoming 2022 AWCON Qualifiers#SbkSportsMail |#WomenfootballUG https://t.co/SOBmsDAOVA
— Sentuuya Brian (@BrianSentuuya) October 13, 2021

FULL CRESTED CRANES 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), Shakilah Nyinagahilwa (Kawempe Moslem), Nandago Hadijah (Kawempe Moslem)

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), Juliet Nalukenge (Apollon LFC-Syprus)

OFFICIALS

Head Coach – George Lutalo
Assistant Coach – Edward Kaziba
Goalkeeping Coach– James Magala
Team Coordinator– Paul Ssali
Team Doctor– Mable Kabatalindwa
Equipment Manager – Prossy Nalwadda
Media Officer– Aloysius Byamukama