Uganda Senior Women’s National Football, the Crested Cranes will play two friendly games against Morocco in the upcoming international break.
This will be the first international engagement for the new team head Coach Sheryl Botes who took the helm a few days ago after nearly nine months without a permanent coach.
According to an official statement from FUFA (Uganda’s Football Federation), the first match is scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2023, at Le Mardi Stadium in Casablanca. The second encounter will take place on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.
The coach has summoned a provisional squad of 31 players who will enter the residential camp at Cranes Paradise in Kisasi on Thursday. These include goalkeepers Daisy Nakaziro, Hadijah Nalongo, Gloria Namakula, and Proscovia Adongo .
Defenders include Shadia Nankya, Bridget, Desire Katisi Natooro, Jolly Kobusinge, Shakirah Nankwanga, Justine Najjuko Kizza, Samalie Nakacwa, Asia Nakibuuka, and Dorcus Lwalisa.
Midfielders include Phiona Nabbumba, Joan Nabirye, Sarah Nakuya, Jackline Adong, Zaitun Namaganda, Viola Nambi, Rhoda Nanziri, Elizabeth Nakigozi, and Lillian Mutuuzo.
Forwards include Fazila Ikwaput, Fauzia Najjemba, Catherine Nagadya, Zaina Nandede, Amina Nababi, Barbara Adweru, Joanitah Ainembabazi, Lillian Kasuubo, Kamiyati Naigaga.
While speaking at the unveiling of the new coach, FUFA President Moses Magogo said the Federation hadn’t previously prioritized international friendlies, but Coach Botes brought in the idea of having numerous friendlies to maintain the team’s competitive edge.
He said that the initiative aims to rejuvenate the competitiveness of the Crested Cranes, who faced setbacks in crucial qualifiers earlier this year, including the Women’s AFCON qualifiers and the Olympic qualifiers.
The friendly comes barely a week since two crested Cranes forward were nominated for two CAF awards respectively. Fauzia Najjemba who plays for ZFK Dynamo Moscow was nominated along with eight others for the award of Young Female African Footballers while her colleague Fazila Ikwaput was nominated for Female African Player of the Year.