Uganda has started preparations for the forthcoming CECAFA Women’s football Championships 2019 with the Crested Cranes head coach Faridah Bulega naming 35 ladies to the provisional squad that will be representing the country in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between the 14th and 24th of November.
The 35 players will be starting non-residential training this Thursday, 31st November 2019 at Luzira for five days.
They will then after enter a residential setting at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru before departing (final team) for Dar es Salaam where they are expected to be around 11th or 12th November 2019.
According to insiders, first choice goal keeper Ruth Aturo will be the captain of the side.
Groups
In the championships, Crested Cranes is in Group B alongside Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, a slot regarded as group of death as Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia are powerhouses in women football in the region.
On the other hand, Group A will see hosts and back to back defending champions Tanzania tussle it out with Zanzibar, Burundi and South Sudan for a place in the last eight.
Fixtures
The Crested Cranes will play Djibouti in the group opening match on the 15th of November, then Ethiopiaon the 17th and wrap-up the group with rival neighbors Kenya on the 19th of the same month. The first and second in the group will qualify to the quarters.
Here is the named Crested Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers
Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves), Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals), Irene Atumango (Lady Doves), Vannesa Karungi (She Corporate)
Defenders
Viola Namuddu (Makerere University), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals), Bridget Nabisaalu (She Corporate), Mercy Nabulobi (UCU Lady Cardinals), Margret Birabirwa (Muteesa 1 Royal), Marion Amangat (Olila High School), Brendah Nandagire (Uganda Martyrs), Stella Musibika (Kawempe Muslim), Eunice Ariokot (Olila High School), Grace Aluka (Maroons Women Football Club), Aisha Namukisa (Kawempe Queens)
Midfielders
Asia Nakibuka (Kawempe Muslim), Sarah Nakuya (Nkumba University), Norah Alupo (Saviors), Zaina Nandede (She Kataka), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves), Esther Beatrice Adokole (She Kataka), Teddy Najjuma (UCU Lady Cardinals), Harriet Nakuba (Kampala Queens), Phiona Nabumba (She Corporate), Amina Nababi (Makerere University), Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens)
Forwards
Hasifa Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals), Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Muslim), Margret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim), Rashidah Nankya (Uganda Martyrs), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens), Zainah Nanziri (Kampala Queens), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves), Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim), Mable Kusasira (Kampala Queens)