Uganda Women’s Senior National Team, Crested Cranes has today morning entered residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi to begin preparations for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers.
Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the assistant coach of the team will be in charge of the games against Rwanda as the search for the head coach continues.
Uganda will host the first leg on 11th July 2023 before the two teams face off a week later in Rwanda.
The winner on aggregate will play Cameroon at the second qualification round.
FUFA Communications Department had a one on one chat with the coach and below is the excerpt;
FUFA COMMUNICATION: Coach, first of all congratulations upon being named the head of the Uganda U20 Women’s National Team.
Ayub Khalifa: Thank you. I am proud that once again, FUFA has given me the opportunity to manage this team. It is definitely a good chance for me to keep learning and growing in the game.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: On top of the Teen Cranes, you are also the assistant coach of the senior national team. What do you have to say about this?
Ayub Khalifa: This is equally a good opportunity for me and I cannot thank FUFA enough for the trust they have in me. I have previously worked in the same role and cannot wait to start working.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: With the process of naming the new head coach still ongoing, you will be in charge of the games against Rwanda, how prepared are you for the task ahead.
Ayub Khalifa: After the team entering camp, we now have to get to work straight away, prepare the players to get into the perfect shape. I believe the team summoned has the ability to overcome Rwanda.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: The games against Rwanda come during the off season and majority of the players have had a long lay off, does this bother you considering the time you have for preparations?
Ayub Khalifa: I am aware that we have a short period to prepare for these games and that explains why we summoned a squad of 35 players. We will do our best to make sure the fitness levels of the players are worked upon and have a formidable team to complete the task ahead.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: Derby games are always tough and Rwanda being our neighbours will come all out. What sort of opposition do you expect to face?
Ayub Khalifa: It is true such games come with a lot of pressure and fierce competition. I know Rwanda have a good team but I am confident we are better and we have what it takes to overcome them.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: Six players from the U18 team are part of the provisional squad you summoned. Do you think they are ready for this stage?
Ayub Khalifa: I believe they have the quality to push the senior players. Additionally, the U18 team has been in camp for the last two weeks and they come in better shape than many who have been inactive. So I am confident they will embrace the opportunity and maybe make the final squad.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: The provisional squad has seven foreign based players. Do you think they come with added value?
Ayub Khalifa: Definitely they come with better experience in terms of exposure and competition. We are proud to have them represent the country at their respective clubs and hoping more will join them in the professional ranks.
FUFA COMMUNICATION: As a person who has been around Women’s football for over 20 years, how has been the progress of National team and Women’s football in general.
Ayub Khalifa: I must thank FUFA for the deliberate efforts made over the years to develop women’s football in Uganda. If you look at the years we started, there was little hope that we would reach such heights. In 2013 when FUFA decided to withdraw the national team from international engagements, many people thought it was a wrong move. But FUFA was strategic, created leagues and promoted the game in schools which in the long run helped to widen the pool of players. Last year, we won CECAFA Women’s Championship and also played at the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. That is a good testament of how the game has grown and the future is even brighter.
