WAFCON 2024 Qualifiers: Ayub Khalifa names Crested Cranes Provisional Squad To Face Algeria

A provisional squad of 36 Crested Cranes players has been summoned to commence preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The Crested Cranes, Uganda Senior Women’s Football National Team, will play will face Algeria this month in a two-legged affair at the first round of next year’s WAFCON finals.

The Crested Cranes host the 1st leg on 20th September at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru while the return leg will be held in Oran a week later.

The summoned squad will be under the tutelage of the Senior Women’s National Team assistant coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi assisted by goal keeping coach Mubarak Kiberu and Felix Ayobo who will be in charge of players’ fitness.

Khalifa, has considered experience, form and a couple of young stars also given chance in the provisional squad to proove their worth in this provisional squad.

Sandra Nabweteme, Hassifah Nassuna, USA based Tracy Jones Akiror, Goal keeper Ruth Aturo, Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Phiona Nabbumba and Fauzia Najjemba are some of the senior members of the Crested Cranes named.

Ugandan Matyrs High School goal keeper Sharon Kaidu, left back Jolly Kobusingye, Dorcus Lwalisa, Desire Katisi Natooro are some of the young stars given chance.

Left footed genius Amina Nababi of Rines lead the list of on-form players considered that also has, Catherine Nagadya, Hadija Nandago, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa. Margret Kunihira, Viola Nambi among others.

Hugely gifted forward Resty Nanziri misses from Khalifah’s provisional squad, whom to me was Kampala Queens best player last season and was voted by fellow players as their the best last season.

The team will enter residential camp at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Wednesday morning to embark on preparations.

Uganda is seeking to return to the continental showpiece for a third time and second successive appearance having played in Morocco last year.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Algeria will face either Burundi or Ethiopia at the final qualification stage.

Crested Cranes Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers
Ruth Aturo (Vihiga Queens FC, Kenya), Vanessa Edith Karungi (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Daisy Nakaziro(Kampala Queens FC, 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), Samalie Nakacwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakira Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Bridget Nabisaalu (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Dorcus Lwalisa ( Olila High School WFC, Uganda), Patricia Akiror (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Desire Katisi Natooro (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC, Uganda), Aisha Nantongo (Aalborg BK, Denmark)

Midfielders
Joan Nabirye (FK Minsk, Belarus), Phiona Nabbumba (B93 FC, Denmark), Phionah Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Josephine Ndagire (Makerere University WFC, Uganda), Reticia Nabbosa (Simba Queens FC, Tanzania), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Hasifah Nassuna (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Hadijah Nandago (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Rhoda Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Tracy Jones Akiror (AFC Ann Arbor, USA)

Forwards
Fazila Ikwaput (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sandra Nabweteme (Kdz. Ereğli Belediye Spor, Turkey), Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Uganda), Joanita Ainembabazi (Simba Queens FC, Tanzania), Catherine Nagadya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Elizabeth Nakigozi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Anita Namata (Vihiga Queens FC, Kenya), Amina Nababi (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Viola Nambi (Pomigliano FC, Italy)

Officials

Assistant Coach – Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi

Goalkeeping Coach – Mubarak Kiberu

Fitness Coach – Felix Ayobo

Team Doctor – Mable Kabatalindwa

Team Physiotherapist – Darlian Kyasimiire

Team Coordinator – Joan Namusisi

Equipment Manager – Cissy Gaudensia Nakiguba

Media Officer – Amina Babirye