Crested Cranes Name Captains and Final Squad ahead of TotalEnergies Women Africa Cup Of Nations 2022

By John Kusolo

Uganda Women’s National Football Team coach George Lutalo has confirmed the Captains for the team ahead of the forthcoming TotalEnergies Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The gaffer confirmed the three skippers as he revealed the final Crested Cranes squad on Tuesday morning at FUFA Complex. Ruth Aturo has been maintained as the first team captain. The shot stopper has been the skipper of the team since 2019.

Hasifah Nassuna who captained the team to success at the just concluded CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship will now deputize Aturo as the first assistant captain.

Daisy Nakaziro, also a goalkeeper who plies her trade at Uganda Martyrs Women Football Club has been confirmed as the second assistant captain. Meanwhile,Uganda Women football team the Crested Cranes head coach George Lutalo has announced the final squad that will feature at the forthcoming TotalEnergies Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Lutalo revealed a list of 26 players in a press briefing held at FUFA Complex. The final squad has three goalkeepers including skipper Ruth Aturo, seven defenders, six midfielders and ten forwards. Lutalo lauded the efforts that have been behind the team in its preparations for the upcoming continental showpiece.

“We had smooth preparations since last year. We played COSAFA and recently CECAFA where the team emerged Champions. I believe these tournaments have helped us to get the Skelton of the team and I’m confident the final squad named will help us attain the set targets.” He said. The contingent will depart Uganda for Morocco on Wednesday Morning (4AM) and the team will have a ten-day training camp in Marrakesh. Uganda is in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Burkina Faso and Senegal.

Crested Cranes 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)

Team Officials

Agnes Mugena – Leader of delegation
Head Coach – George Lutalo
Assistant Coach – Edward Kaziba
Goalkeeping Coach – James Magala
Fitness Trainer – Arthur Kyesimira
Fitness Coach – Felix Ayobo
Team Doctor – Mable Kabatalindwa
Physiotherapist – Darlian Kyasiimire
Equipment Manager 1 – Prossy Nalwadda
Equipment Manager 2 – Cissy Gaudensia Nakiguba
Team Coordinator – Paul Ssali Mukisa
Team Manager – Joan Namusisi
Media Officer – Stephen Mayamba

It should be noted that FUFA manages 10 National teams; U15 , U17 , U20, & U23 boys, Uganda cranes , Futsal , Sand Cranes for beach soccer, U17 girls, U20 girls and the Crested Cranes.

Moses Magogo the Fufa President and also Budiope East Member of Parliament in Buyende District has warned his critics that it is very wrong & unfair to judge the federation basing on performance of one team. This comes at a backdrop of Uganda Cranes football team accumulating only 1 point from 2 games so far played in Group F that consists of Algeria, Niger and Tanzania ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Cote D’Ivoire 2023.

12 countries including host Morocco will vie for bragging rights. Morocco qualified automatically as hosts, while the remaining eleven spots were determined by the qualifying rounds.

Qualified teams

Team Finals appearance Last appearance Date of qualification Previous best performance FIFA ranking at start of event

Morocco (hosts) 3rd 2000 15 January 2021 Group stage (1998, 2000) 77
Uganda 2nd 2000 28 January 2022 Group stage (2000) 156
Burundi 1st — 21 February 2022 Debut 169
Zambia 4th 2018 22 February 2022 Quarter finals (1995) 103
Senegal 3rd 2012 22 February 2022 Group stage (1991, 2012) 89
Togo 1st — 23 February 2022 Debut 118
Nigeria 14th 2018 23 February 2022 Champions (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018) 39
Tunisia 2nd 2008 23 February 2022 Group stage (2008) 72
Burkina Faso 1st — 23 February 2022 Debut 138
Botswana 1st — 23 February 2022 Debut 152
Cameroon 13th 2018 23 February 2022 Runners-up (1991, 2004, 2014, 2016) 54
South Africa 13th 2018 23 February 2022 Runners-up (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018) 58

2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Group A

Pos Team

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Morocco (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 Burkina Faso 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Senegal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage
4 Uganda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

First match(es) will be played on 2 July 2022. Source: CAF
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Host
2 July 2022 21:30
Morocco v Burkina Faso

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
3 July 2022 16:00
Senegal v Uganda

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
5 July 2022 18:00
Burkina Faso v Senegal

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
5 July 2022 21:00
Uganda v Morocco
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat

8 July 2022 21:00
Morocco v Senegal

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
8 July 2022 21:00
Burkina Faso v Uganda
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

Group B
2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Group B
Pos Team

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Cameroon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 Zambia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage
4 Togo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 3 July 2022. Source: CAF

3 July 2022 18:00
Cameroon v Zambia
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
3 July 2022 21:00
Tunisia v Togo

Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
6 July 2022 18:00
Zambia v Tunisia
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
6 July 2022 21:00
Togo v Cameroon
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

9 July 2022 21:00
Cameroon v Tunisia
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
9 July 2022 21:00
Zambia v Togo
Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat

Group C
2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Group C
Pos Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 South Africa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Burundi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage
4 Botswana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 4 July 2022. Source: CAF

4 July 2022 18:00
Nigeria v South Africa

Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat
4 July 2022 21:00
Burundi v Botswana
Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat

7 July 2022 18:00
South Africa v Burundi
Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat
7 July 2022 21:00
Botswana v Nigeria

Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat
10 July 2022 21:00
South Africa v Botswana

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
10 July 2022 21:00
Nigeria v Burundi
Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat

Source: fufa.co.ug