CRESTED CRANES WAFCON MAGAZINE file:///G:/WAFCON/CRESTED%20CRANES%20WAFCON%202022-3.pdf
Crested Cranes is the senior women football team in Uganda managed and controlled by FUFA.
Crested Cranes is 161st in the current FIFA Rankings.
The team captain is Ruth Aturo who plies her trade with Al Shabab FC in the Saudi Pro League. The assistant captains are Hasifah Nassuna, Daisy Nakaziro and Fauzia Najjemba in that order.
2022 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship
Uganda finally encrypted its name on the winners’ list of the CECEFA Senior Women’s Championship, doing so in fascinating fashion and on home soil (at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru).
Group Stage
As hosts, Uganda was pitted in Group A alongside Burundi, Rwanda and Djibouti. In the opening game played on 1st June 2022, Uganda defeated Rwanda courtesy of Fazila Ikwaput’s brace.
The next group game three days later saw Uganda outwit Djibouti 5-0 thanks to goals from Aisha Nantongo, Margaret Namirimu, Fazila Ikwaput, Sandra Nabweteme and Phiona Nabbumba.
In the final group game, Uganda came from a goal down to defeat Burundi 4-1. Sandra Nabweteme came off the bench to score twice while Shamirah Nalugya and Fazila Ikwaput also got onto the score sheet.
Semi-final
After topping Group A with maximum points, Uganda had to face Ethiopia that had finished second in Group B.
The fiercely competitive encounter played on 9th June 2022 ended goalless in normal time but Fazila Ikwaput scored a late goal in extra time to send Uganda to the final.
Final
A record crowd watched the final and Uganda went ahead to win 3-1 against Burundi. Sandra Nabweteme scored twice while the other goal came from Fazila Ikwaput.
Individual Awards
Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) – Most Valuable Player
Opa Clement (Tanzania) – Top Scorer with 7 Goals
Daisy Nakaziro (Uganda – Best Goalkeeper
Crested Cranes Squad for 2022 CECAFA Senior Women Championship
Goalkeepers
Daisy Nakaziro (Uganda Martyrs WFC), Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate FC), Juliet Adeke (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Defenders
Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Sumaya Komuntale (FC Tooro Queens), Lukiya Namubiru (Kampala Queens FC), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Margaret Namirimu (She Corporate FC), Samalie Nakacwa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Midfielders
Phiona Nabbumba (She Corporate FC), Joan Nabirye (Vihiga Queens), Sheebah Zalwango (FC Amani), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves FC)
Forwards
Juliet Nalukenge (Apollon Ladies FC), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC), Sandra Nabweteme (Unattached), Hasifah Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Lilian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens FC), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC), Shirazi Natasha (Unattached)
2019 CECAFA Senior Women Championship
Crested Cranes played in the 2019 CECAFA Women Senior Women Championship in Dar es Salaam in November. The team was in Group B together with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
After a successful qualification from the group stage (2nd with 6 points), the Crested Cranes narrowly lost to the hosts Tanzania 1-0 in the semifinal however the Team managed to defeat Burundi 2-0 in the third-place playoff match.
Group Stage
Crested Cranes 13-0 Djibouti
- Juliet Nalukenge netted five goals, Hasifah Nassuna and Fazila Ikwaput scored hat tricks, Fauzia Najjemba and Amina Nababi pulled off one each.
Crested Cranes Line-up against Djibouti
Ruth Aturo (G.K), Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Bridget Nabisaalu, Shadia Nankya, Reticia Nabbosa, Zaina Namuleme, Hasifa Nassuna, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba, Fazila Ikwaput
Substitutes: Daizy Nakaziro, Joan Namusisi, Eunice Ariokot, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Harriet Nakkuba, Amina Nababi, Margaret Kunihira, Shamira Nalugya
Crested Cranes 1-0 Ethiopia
- Fauzia Najjemba scored for Crested Cranes
Crested Cranes Line-up against Ethiopia
Ruth Aturo (C), Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya, Bridget Nabisaalu, Riticia Nabbosa, Zainah Namuleme, Hasifa Nassuna, Fazila Ikwaput, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba
Substitutes: Nakaziro Daizy (G.K), Namusisi Joan, Eunice Ariokot, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Harriet Nakuba, Amina Nababi, Margret Kunihira, Shamirah Nalugya
Kenya 3-0 Crested Cranes
Crested Cranes Line-up against Kenya
Ruth Aturo, Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Bridget Nabisaalu, Shadia Nankya, Reticia Nabossa, Asia Nakibuuka, Hasifa Nassuna, Juliet Nalukenge, Fazila Ikwaput, Fauzia Najjemba
Semifinal
Tanzania 1-0 Crested Cranes
Crested Cranes Line-up against Tanzania
Ruth Aturo – Captain, Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya, Aisha Namukisa, Bridget Nabisaalu, Riticia Nabbosa, Hasifa Nassuna, Fazila Ikwaput, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba
Substitutes: Nakaziro Daizy, Namusisi Joan, Eunice Ariokot, Grace Aluka, Amina Nababi, Zainah Namuleme, Margret Kunihira, Shamirah Nalugya, Harriet Nakuba
Third Place Playoff
Crested Cranes 2-0 Burundi
- Shamirah Nalugya and Aminah Nababi scored for Crested Cranes
Crested Cranes scorers in CECAFA
- Juliet Nalukenge 5 goals
- Hassifa Nassuna 3 goals
- Fazila Ekwaput 3 goals
- Fauzia Najjemba 2 goals
- Aminah Nababi 2 goals
- Shamirah Nalugya 1 goal
CECAFA 2019 Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves), Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals), Namusisi Joan (Isra Soccer Academy)
Defenders:
- Viola Namuddu (Makerere University), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals), Bridget Nabisaalu (She Corporate), Eunice Ariokot (Olila High School ) Grace Aluka ( Kawempe Muslim SS Ladies FC), Aisha Namukisa (Kampala Queens).
Midfielders:
- Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves), Harriet Nakuba (Kampala Queens), Amina Nababi (Makerere University), Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens)
Forwards:
- Hassifa Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals), Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Muslim), Margret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Zainah Namuleme (Kampala Queens), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves), Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifiers
Crested Cranes registered in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers. The team faced off with Ethiopia in a 2 leg preliminary round encounter.
Crested Cranes lost 3-2 in the 1st leg away in Ethiopia before losing 1-0 at home in the 2nd leg.
1st Leg – Ethiopia 3-2 Crested Cranes
- Tarikuwa Debiso (own goal) and Hassifa Nassuna scored for Crested Cranes.
Crested Cranes Line-up
Ruth Aturo (GK/C), Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, Lillian Mutuuzo, Phiona Nabbumba, Shamira Nalugya (Fazila Ikwaput), Sandra Nabweteme (Hasifah Nassuna) and Zainah Namuleme (Fauzia Najjemba)
Unused substitutes: Daisy Nakaziro (GK), Juliet Nalukenge, Raticia Nabbosa, Amagat Marrion, Tracy Jones Akiror and Nanziri Resty
2nd Leg – Crested Cranes 0-1 Ethiopia
Crested Cranes Line-up
Ruth Aturo, Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, Resty Nanziri, Tracy Jones Akiror, Fazila Ikwaput, Hasifa Nasuna, and Fauzia Najjemba.
Substitutes
Daisy Nakaziro, Marion Amangat, Phionah Nabbumba, Shamilah Nalujja, Lilian Mutuuzo, Ritah Nabbosa, Zainah Namuleme, Juliet Nalukenge and Sandra Nabweteme.
2019 AWCON Qualifiers
The Crested Cranes played in 2019 AWCON qualifiers slipping to neighbors Kenya with a 1-0 aggregate score after a 1-0 loss away and a barren draw in the return leg on 8th April 2018 in Lugogo.
2018 CECAFA Women Challenge Cup
Crested Cranes finished runners-up in CECAFA 2018 in Kigali Rwanda. The Team managed vital victories against Ethiopia (2-1), Kenya (1-0), and a draw with the hosts Rwanda (2-2). The only loss was against the champions Tanzania (4-1).
In September 2018, The Crested Cranes was invited to participate in the COSAFA Women’s Championship in South Africa.
Crested Cranes finish third in the tournament that involved African Women football powerhouse Cameroon, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe among others.
Uganda (Crested Cranes) overcame Swaziland in the group stages with a 4-3 win, drew with Namibia 0-0 and defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the last group match on 17th September 2018. Juliet Nalukenge and captain Tracy Jones Akiror scored the two goals. The team progressed to the semifinals only losing out to the hosts South Africa by 2-0.
In the third-place playoff, Crested Cranes won Zambia 1-0 courtesy of Tracy Jones Akiror’s penalty goal. Ruth Aturo was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
In April 2019, Crested Cranes played Ethiopia in the Olympics Tokyo 2020 qualifier. Unfortunately, the team was eliminated 4-2 aggregate. 1st Leg Ethiopia 3-2 Uganda and 2nd Leg Uganda 0-1 Ethiopia.
Women Africa Cup of Nations 2022
Uganda made a return to the continental stage after 22 years. To qualify for the 2022 edition in Morocco, the Crested Cranes eliminated Ethiopia 3-1 on penalties (after 2-2 score on aggregate) before getting a bye over Kenya in the final qualification hurdle.
At the final tournament, Uganda was placed in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
Below is the Squad
Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (Katkan Tyovaen Palloillija FC, Finland), Vanessa Edith Karungi (B93, Denmark), Daisy Nakaziro (Uganda Martyrs H/S Lubaga, Uganda)
Defenders: Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim LFC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Tooro Queens FC,Uganda), Yudaya Nakayenze (Lindey Wilson College, USA), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim LFC, Uganda), Margret Namirimu (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Bira Nadunga (Olila High School, WFC, Uganda), Lukia Namubiru (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Hasifah Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals FC,Uganda), Joan Nabirye (Vihiga Queens, Kenya), Phionah Nabbumba(She Corporate FC, Uganda), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens, Uganda), Sheeba Zalwango (FC Amani, DR Congo), Tracy Jones Akiror (AFC Ann Arbor)
Forwards: Viola Nambi (FC Dornbirn Ladies, Austria), Sandra Nabweteme (Unattached), Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC, Uganda), Ritah Kivumbi (Mallbackens IF, Sweden), Fauzia Najjemba (BIIK Shymkent, Kazakhstan), Joanita Ainembabazi (Rines SS WFC, Uganda), Lillian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Margret Kunihira (Kampala Queens, Uganda), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens, Uganda)
Group Games
July 3rd 2022 Uganda 0-2 Senegal
The first game came against Senegal at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. Uganda lost 2-0 to Senegal with goals coming from Diakite Ndeye and Nguenar Ndiaye.
Starting XI
Ruth Aturo (GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Yudaya Nakayenze, Aisha Nantongo, Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Rita Kivumbi, Violah Nambi, Fauzia Najjemba
July 6th 2022 Morocco 3-1 Uganda
Uganda lost 3-1 to Morocco at Moullay Abdellah Sports Complex. Sumaya Komuntale scored a wonderful free kick. The hosts scored through Rosella Ayane, Ghizlane Chebbak and El Chad Nesyrine.
Starting XI
Ruth Aturo, Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Phionah Nabbumba, Margaret Namirimu, Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Sandra Nabweteme, Ritah Kivumbi, Fauzia Najjemba, Fazila Ikwaput
July 9th 2022 Burkian Faso 2-2 Uganda
Uganda’s road at the tournament ended with a two-all draw. Margaret Kunihira and Sandra Nabweteme scored the goals for the Crested Cranes while Burkina Faso had theirs through Adama Congo and Naomie Kabre.
Starting XI
Daisy Nakaziro, Phiona Nabbumba, Asia Nakibuuka, Margaret Namirimu, Aisha Nantongo, Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Sandra Nabweteme, Fazika Ikwaput, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira
