UCU’s Ashiat Naluggwa reveals Moment she nearly quit football | Sbk Sports Mail – Sbk Sports Mail

UCU Lady Cardinals midfielder Ashiat Naluggwa | Photo by Sports lens

In the first round of the 2022-23 FUFA Women Super League campaign, the spotlight shone brightly on several exceptional players, among whom UCU Lady Cardinals midfielder Ashiat Naluggwa stood out prominently. The former student of Bishops SS has embraced her role with remarkable ease and enthusiasm, and despite some less-than-ideal results for the UCU Lady Cardinals, Ashiat’s presence on the field has been nothing short of transformative. She exudes a level of confidence and skill that underscores her current peak form, and her impact on the game is evident every time she steps onto the pitch.

At just 19 years old, Ashiat Naluggwa has experienced a meteoric rise in her football career. Her remarkable performance this season has made her arguably the Lady Cardinals’ standout player. With 7 goals in 9 appearances, she has not only become her club’s top scorer but also shares the accolade of the league’s top scorer with Kampala Queens’ Resty Nanziri. Her contributions are invaluable, and her ability to consistently find the back of the net speaks volumes about her prowess and determination on the field.

Ashiat’s positioning and game management have been exemplary this season, showcasing a level of tactical awareness that belies her age. Her passing is characterized by precision and positivity, enhancing her team’s offensive play. Moreover, she has demonstrated a repertoire of skills that were not as evident a few years ago. Remarkably, as a Senior Three student, Ashiat faced a critical juncture in her career when she nearly abandoned football altogether. Her passion and dedication were rekindled thanks to the unwavering support of her “football father,” Coach Kyeswa, who played a pivotal role in encouraging her to persevere.

In a candid interview with Sbk Sports Mail’s Brian Sentuuya, Ashiat opened up about her deep-seated love for football and the challenges she faced during her early years. She recounted how being at a school indifferent to football nearly derailed her aspirations, only to be revitalized by the encouragement and mentorship of Coach Kyeswa. This support proved instrumental in keeping her dreams alive, leading her to become one of the most promising talents in the league today.

''I started playing football when I was very young because I used to follow my elder brother whenever he was going to the playground. That's how I started my journey and went on to play nationals when I was in Primary Six''

''After my Primary education I joined Mpoma Girls for my secondary education but they weren't so much in football though the school was good academically and after some time I lost interest because the school wasn't  competitive at all, life wasn't easy and I even thought about quiting but Alhamdulilah then I got to know coach Kyeswa Williams who helped me to join  Lubiri (S3) before joining Bishops and UCU for my A'level and University studies respectively. " - Ashiat Naluggwa disclosed

The midfielder expressed deep gratitude and admiration for Coach Williams Kyeswa, attributing much of her success and growth to his remarkable efforts. She acknowledged that his unwavering dedication and expert guidance have been pivotal not only in her football career but also in her personal development.

"Coach Kyeswa has helped me so much upto date and I really treasure him so much because he is part of what I am today,"

"He is the best coach ever for me because he's one person who is a coach as well as a parent and above all he likes a person who plays football and loves studying,"

"He has been mentoring me since about life in football and life after football and he always pushes me to reach where I want to be."

The midfielder, who made her debut with the Mukono-based club in 2021, has recently been lauded for her exceptional form on the field. Reflecting on her journey, she attributes her remarkable success to a combination of critical factors. Despite encountering significant challenges in her initial year, primarily due to a debilitating ankle injury that impeded her performance, she credits her teammates and coaches as pivotal elements in her resurgence. Their unwavering support and guidance played a crucial role in her recovery and development. Additionally, her unshakeable self-belief and relentless hard work emerged as fundamental components of her transformation.

'' I only scored one goal last season mainly because of the ankle injury I had but putting Allah as my first priority, believing in myself, working hard, support from my team mates, coaches and fans has played a great role in improving my performance as a player. They are always there, they believe in me and have helped me to be the player I am right now, ''

''Our coach is really a good coach, she is a caring and loving person on and off the pitch. She is one person who believes in her players and she has always guided and  helped me out to be a better version of myself. ''

Ashiat Naluggwa finds solace and a sense of belonging at the University, largely due to the presence of numerous teammates who have become like family to her. This familiarity offers her a comforting and supportive environment, allowing her to navigate her academic and athletic pursuits with greater ease. However, Ashiat maintains a clear distinction between personal and professional relationships. Despite the warmth and camaraderie she shares with her friends and teammates, she firmly believes in keeping a professional boundary

''Off the pitch I’m very friendly with most of my teammates, we have fun, we joke and life moves on but on the pitch, nothing like friends, we just do what we're supposed to do, no joking.

A QUICK GLANCE AT ASHIAT NALUGGWA

Name : Ashiat Naluggwa

Age. 19 years.

Position in the family: 5th born in the family of six children.

Father : Mr. Muwanga Sulaiman

Mother : Ms. Nakayaga Alizik

School back ground : Fairway Child Care p/S (P7), Mpoma girls (S1-S2) Lubiri HS (S3-S4), Bishops SS Mukono (S5-S6) & currently Uganda Christian University (BSAF)

Club : UCU Lady Cardinals FC .

Prefered position : Left wing

Best moment in football : Scoring goals as well as playing as a team.

Worst moment in football : Getting injured

Favorite Ugandan football players : Hasifah Nassuna and Fauzia Najjemba

Favorite International football players : Geyse Ferreira, Alex Morgan, Sam Kerr and Alexia Putellas

Favorite football club in Uganda : UCU Lady Cardinals

Favorite International football clubs : Chelsea and Barcelona

Future ambitions : Attaining her academic dreams with the help of her talent, playing professional football and to be surmoned on the National team In Sha Allah.