Crested Cranes and former Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC Midfielder, Phiona Nabulime made history as the fourth Ugandan to feature in the CAF Women’s Champions league final tournament with FC Masar in Egypt. She followed in footsteps of Joan Nabirye who played for Vihiga Queens in 2021, and the pair Shadia Nankya and Aisha Nantongo who played for FC Masar in 2024.
The box-to-box midfielder spoke to this website about her historic debut in the CAF women’s Champions League 2025, her experience with FC Masar and much more.
On becoming the 4th Ugandan to play in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
‘I am humbled to be part of this achievement and the support I have received. I am proud to represent Uganda at the continental stage, I believe more Ugandans will feature in this prestigious tournament.’
On what was going through her mind during her debut and how did she prepare for the big stage,
‘During my debut, I was focused on staying calm and executing the team’s game plan but also enjoy every moment. Our team’s preparation was really good, we worked tirelessly, and I knew we had what it takes to compete with the best.’
The midfielder further highlighted her personal takeaways from the tournament.
‘The tournament tested me mentally and my personal takeaways include developing resilience, learning to perform under pressure and understanding the value of teamwork.’
Sharing the pitch with the very best has been an incredible learning curve, and I believe my experience has given me the maturity to keep pushing myself to the best version of myself, and I’m committed to continuous improvement.
Phiona also shared her thoughts on how the tournament differs from other competitions she has played in.
The CAF Women’s champions league stands out from other club competitions due its intensity, exposure, and pressure. The level of competition is exceptionally high, players are required to bring their A-game from start to finish leaving no room for mistakes. There is also much media attention making it a tourney that requires 100% focus and mental toughness.
Phiona further believes this achievement can inspire young girls in Uganda to chase their dreams.
‘Every time I stepped onto the pitch; I felt a responsibility to represent every young girl in Uganda who dares to dream big. This journey is bigger than me, its for every girl who believes football can change her life. It proves that background does not define your potential and no dream is too big. with hard work and self-belief, every young girl can play and shine at the big stage.’
Phiona also hinted at how she acclimatized to the environment in Egypt and what’s next for her.
‘Adjusting to life in Egypt was a challenge, but with support of my teammates and a resilient mindset, I was able to adapt gradually. Over time, the culture, climate, and everything that once felt foreign became part of me.’
I am committed to continuous growth, both on and off the pitch, striving to represent my club and country with excellence. I am grateful to the progress have made so far, and I am excited to keep pushing forward. I am grateful to God, Divine Soccer Academy in Masaka, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC and everyone who has been part of my journey, your support means everything to me.
