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The Crested Cranes officially started preparations for the Paris 2024 games, and have already announced that they will engage in an international friendly game against Tanzania's Twiga Stars.
With their eyes firmly set on Olympic qualification, the Crested Cranes are determined to leave no stone unturned in their quest for success, even with the tournament still 391 days away.
The Crested Cranes officially started preparations for the Paris 2024 games, and have already announced that they will engage in an international friendly game against Tanzania's Twiga Stars.
The friendly match is scheduled to take place on Friday, 7th July 2023, at the MTN-Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, with FUFA announcing that entrance to the match will be free.
Both teams, Uganda and Tanzania, are gearing up for the crucial Olympic qualifiers.
The friendly game will serve as a precursor to these qualifiers, allowing the teams to fine-tune their strategies and assess their readiness for the challenges ahead.
Uganda is set to face Rwanda, while Tanzania will take on Congo in the first qualification round.
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The Crested Cranes have already entered their residential camp at the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi, and held had their first training session today afternoon in Lugogo.
Among the 35 players summoned, only Joan Nabirye (FK Minsk) and Phiona Nabbumba (B93) are yet to join the camp, but FUFA has clarified that they are ‘expected to arrive in the country soon’.
Assistant coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, who will be in charge of the games against Rwanda, expressed his satisfaction with the players' reaction during the first training session.
He acknowledged the limited preparation time but emphasized that the focus would primarily be on fitness and endurance.
He stated, "The reaction from the players was good and promising being only the start of camp. I know we have a short period to prepare, and the focus will be mainly on fitness and endurance."
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Captain Ruth Aturo echoed the sentiments of the coaching staff, emphasizing the importance of representing their country with pride and determination.
"It is another opportunity for us to represent our country and make ourselves proud. Therefore, as players, we know what is at stake, and we hope to go as far as we can in these qualifiers," Aturo said.
The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Rwanda will progress to face Cameroon in the second qualification round, adding an extra layer of motivation and determination for the Crested Cranes as they aim to secure their spot in the prestigious Olympic tournament.
Crested Cranes Provisional Squad:
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 Ladies FC, 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 Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Samalie Nakacwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Joan Nabirye(FK 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 (Hapoel Ironic Petah Tikva, 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 Ladies FC, Uganda), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Anita Namata (Vihiga Queens FC, Kenya)
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