Crested Cranes coach Majida Nantanda is upbeat that her team will make the nation proud in the upcoming CECAFA Women championship that kicks-off next weekend at FUFA technical Njeru.
After CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye and FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo launched the tournaments and released the two groups of seven teams on Monday 29th at FUFA house, Majida kick started the team’s training with 50 players the following day with the training at KCCA FC’s Philip Omondi stadium mainly focused on raising the fitness levels of the players and putting them in proper shape mentally and physically since the FUFA Women Elite League is the break.
These have since been reduced to only 25 who trained on Saturday. 5 other players who were summoned have been representing their school in the Federation of East African Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) games in Eldoret Kenya. These include Kawempe’s Hasifa Nassuuna, Yudaya Nakayenze, Joan Nakirya, Tracy Akiror and Masaka SS’ Catherine Nakiridde.
The team’s preparation ahead of the regional championship that was last held in Zanzibar in 1986 were boosted by the arrival of two foreign based players QPR Ladies FC defender Jean Peace Sseninde and American based Laki Otandeka.
Coach Majida is so far impressed with the pair that started training on Thursday and is very positive they are going to have a great impact on the Crested Cranes efforts to win silverware on home soil.
“I am so far pleased with Jean and Laki’s performance and believe they are going to be very vital for us. Their colleagues have received them well and can see they are easily adapting and getting on well.” Majida stated.
The Crested Cranes will face Kenya on September 11th in their opening fixture in group A that also has Burundi and Zanzibar. Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania are in group B.
The 25 who attended Saturday traning:
Goal Keepers; Fatuma Matovu, Ruth Aturo and Cissy Nakuguba.
Outfield players:
Defenders – Jean Peace Sseninde, Gladyc Nakitto, Christine Wanyana, Stella Kariba, Tina Nambirigge, Margaret Namirimu, Viola Namuddu, Florence Nakalule, Farida Kisitu.
Midfielders – Naome Nagadya, Rita Nabbosa, Halima Kembabazi, Betty Namataka, Babra Nakyanzi, Shakira Nalwoga, Babra Nakyanzi, Norah Alupo and Fazirah Ikwaput.
Attackers; Laki Otandeka, Asia Nakibuuka, Zaina Namuleme and Winnie Babirye.
