By Frank Kamuntu
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Women Super League for the top eight clubs in Uganda kicks off this weekend with four fixtures on card, starting today Saturday 2nd November with a game between UCU Lady Cardinals and the She Corporate, who recently secured the services of defender Bridget Nabisaalu and Phionah Nabbumba from Ajax Queens.
Last season’s Champions UCU Lady Cardinals (from the FUFA Women Elite League) have an array of stars in their squad and have brought on board National team player defender Shadia Nankya from Uganda Martyrs Rubaga.
More so UCU Lady Cardinals retained most of the key players that won them their first-ever League title last season. Play maker Hasifah Nassuna, goalkeeper Ruth Aturo, defender Mercy Nabulobi, midfielder Teddy Najjuma, Phoebe Banura, Kadondi Esther, Najjuma Teddy, and Captain Maureen Kinavudori are still with the team.
Farida Bulega’s Kampala Queens is at home at IUIU Kabojja today Saturday playing against North-Eastern region giants Olila High School WFC, while Kampala Queens go into the opening fixture with new faces in their squad.
The likes of Fatumah Nakasumba (Makerere University WFC), Docus Nabuufu (Uganda Martyrs), Brenda Kwaka (Riness), goalkeeper Resty Nalweyiso (Masaka SS), Fauzia Najjemba (Isra Soccer Academy), Milly Ntambi (Rines) are the new signings.
Olila maintained most of their players and will rely on the services of skipper Eunice Ariokot in the defense together with Gillian Akadinda and Bira Naddunga who are fresh from the COSAFA Girls U17 Championship, in which Uganda won the title in Mauritius.
In the other fixtures, tomorrow Sunday 3rd November, last season’s league runners-up Lady Doves visit Mutesa I Royal University at IUIU Kabojja. Lady Doves signed former BIIK-Kazygurt (Kazakstan) forward Fazila Ikwaput. She was the 2017 Airtel-FUFA Female player of the year in Uganda.
Lady Doves also secured the signature of goalkeeper Irene Paska Akiteng from Lango Queens. Akiteng was named the best goalkeeper in the 2019 FUFA Women’s Independence Cup in Mukono while playing for Nkumba University.
Despite losing their head coach Olive Mbekeka who played a key role in the team’s success last season, they have managed to keep the nucleus of the team. Goalkeeper Nakaziro Daisy, midfielder Leticia Nabbosa and striker Nuulu Nakyanzi are still with the club.
However, Muteesa I Royal University will depend mainly on players who have served for a long period at the Buganda Kingdom-based team.
Omara Josephine, Birabwa Margaret, Nayiga Sharifah, Anyango Caroline, Nakayobyo Habiibah, Nakigozi Elizabeth, Nakagwa Florence, Namuyanja Judith, Nambalirwa Mariam, Torach Immaculate, Nakyeyune Angellah, Nakato Angellah, Tugabire Ann, Mbabazi Aisha, Nakachwa Bridget, Naggujja Benita, Mirembe Ruth and Nampeera Imelda are some of the players that will form the team.
Meanwhile, four-time League champions Kawempe Muslim Ladies will host Uganda Martyrs HS WFC on Sunday 3rd November. With the immense variety of talented players at their disposal, Kawempe still went into the transfer market and signed Crested Cranes and Isra Soccer Academy midfielder Shamirah Nalujja and Uganda U17 National Team and Arsubo Gafford Ladies FC forward Margret Kunihira. They also promoted younger star Shakira Nyinagahirwa from the structures.
Goalkeeper Adeke Juliet, Nazizi Florence, Aluka Grace, Musibika Stella, Nakabugo Mariam, Nakibuuka Asia, Namata Anita, Nalukenge Juliet, Onabikoa Miriam, Mushimire Rita, Atimaku Fiona, Nadunga Sharon, Nakacwa Samalie, Nantongo Aisha, Nabulya Rehema, Natukunda Diana, Nanziri Rhoda, Nakku Mastula, Nakayenga Brenda, Nalukoda Suzan are some of the players head coach Ayub Khalifa will pick from for his best team against Uganda Martyrs HS WFC.
On the other hand, Uganda Martyrs HS WFC brought in a new defender Nabuloobi Patience from Makerere University to replace Nankya Shadia who joined UCU Lady Cardinals, while Catherine Nagadya is another new signing for Uganda Martyrs from Makerere University WFC.
Key players Nakacwa Spencer, Nakacwa Kevin, Nankya Rashida, Namusoke Esther, and Captain Namugerwa Gloria are expected to put up strong resistance against Kawempe.
The format for the Women’s League was changed from the sixteen (16) teams to eight teams (FUFA Women Super League) while the other eight teams now compete in the FUFA Women Elite League.
Summerised fixture for this weekend
1, Saturday 2nd November 2019
2. Kampala Queens WFC – Olila HS WFC
3, UCU Lady Cardinals – She Corporates
4, Sunday 3rd November 2019
5, Kawempe Muslim LFC – Uganda Martyrs HS WFC
6, Muteesa I Royal WFC – Lady Doves FC
