35 summoned Crested Cranes' Olympic qualifier with Rwanda

Assistant coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has summoned a provisional squad of 35 players to kick start preparations for Uganda’s encounter against Rwanda in the 2024 Olympics qualifier.

With the search for the team’s next head coach still ongoing, FUFA has confirmed that Khalifa will be in charge of the match.

“The team summoned will be under the stewardship of Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, who, upon appointment as Uganda U20 Women’s National Team head coach, became the assistant coach of the senior team in the new changes made by the FUFA Executive Committee,” the federation said in a statement.

However, the evaluation of applicants for the head coach role is ongoing as well as for the assistant coach of the U-17 team (Teen Cranes) with appointments to be confirmed in due course.

The team summoned is largely a composition of the Crested Cranes players that featured at the Women African Cup of Nations last year in Morocco.

It should be noted that the U18 Women’s national team has been in camp at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru but preparations were called off after the tournament was cancelled.

Uganda will host the first leg on July 11 with the aggregate winner facing Cameroon at the next stage.

The team enters camp today, Thursday, at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi.

Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (Alshabab FC Women, Saudi Arabia), Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Hadijah Nalongo (UCU Lady Cardinals, Uganda), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda)

Defenders: Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nakibuuka (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Lukiya Namubiru (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakira Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Stella Musibika (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Desire Katisi Natooro (Kataka She FC, Uganda), Patience Nabulobi (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Samalie Nakacwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda).

Midfielders: Joan Nabirye (FC Minsk, Belarus), Zaituni Namaganda (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Hadijah Nandago (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Rhodah Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Elizabeth Nakigozi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda). 

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Hasifah Nassuna (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sandra Nabweteme (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera WFC, Israel), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Ashiat Naluggwa (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Fazila Ikwaput (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Joanita Ainembabazi (Ceasiaa Queens FC, Tanzania), Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Anita Namata (Vihiga Queens, Kenya).