Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifier:
1st Leg 3rd April 2019: Ethiopia Vs Uganda at National Stadium, Addis Ababa
2nd Leg 6th April 2019: Uganda Vs Ethiopia at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo, Kampala
Crested Cranes head coach Faridah Bulega says she has a fully fit squad from which to pick the final 20 players that will travel to Addis Ababa for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics games qualifier first leg tie against Ethiopia on Wednesday.
Bulega’s team was boosted by the arrival of US based duo Yudaya Nakayenze and Sandra Nabweteme on Friday and they had a full training session with the rest of the Squad on Saturday morning at the team base-FUFA technical Center Njeru. Kazakhstan based Fazila Ikwaput, had joined camp on Monday.
‘My team is well set and I am sure the final 20 that I will name for this tie, will do the needful in Addis Ababa. The arrival of the trio gave us a boost and we hope for the best in this assignment’ said Bulega after Saturday’s morning training.
The team has been in residential camp since Friday last week and Bulega says they have gained in terms of fitness and skill.
Today’s training session was boosted by the services and guidance of Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba, who took the four goal keepers into more technical education, with the help of their coach James Magala.
Today was the second last day in camp as the team will be leaving for Ethiopia on Monday night ahead of the 1st leg encounter with the return leg set for 6th April in Kampala.
The winner from the two legs will meet Cameroon in yet another double legged showdown to battle for the slot to the Tokyo Games in 2020.
The Crested Cranes squad
Goal keepers:Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals), Diasy Nakaziro (Lady Doves), Vannessa Kalungi (She CGoalkeepersJuliet Adeke (Kawempe Moslem)
Defenders-Shadia Nankya (Uganda Martyrs), Aisha Namukisa (Kampala Queens), Vola Namuddu (She MAK-Makerere), Phaobe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals), Margret Birabwa (Muteesa I Royal University), Wilmer Nantumbwe (She Corporates), Yudaya Nakayenze (Seminole Sate College, USA), Gladys Nakitto (Lady Doves), Grace Aluka (Kawempe SS Muslim Ladies FC), Marion Amangat (Olila High School)
Midfeilders-Phionah Nabbumba (Ajax Queens), Tracy Jones Akiror (Kawempe Moslem), Teddy Najjuma (UCU Lady Cradinals), Shamilah Nalujja (Isra Academy), Fausia Najjemba (Isra), Lilian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens), Anitah Namata (Kawempe SS Muslm Ladies), Susan Atim (Olila High School), Ritah Nabbosa (Lady Doves).
Strikers-Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Moslem), Monica Namwase (Kampala Queens), Hasifa Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals), Zainah Namuleme (Kampala Queens), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens), Sandra Nabweteme (SW Oklahoma University, USA) and Fazira Ikwaput (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan)
MAIN PHOTO: Crested Cranes trainer Olive Mbekeka with the players during the drills on Saturday