US based stars Nabweteme, Nakayenze join Crested Cranes camp - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on March 29, 2019 - 8:12 am by Ahmed Marsha

Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifier:

1^st Leg 3^rd April 2019: Ethiopia Vs Uganda at National Stadium, Addis Ababa

2^nd Leg 6^th April 2019: Uganda Vs Ethiopia at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo, Kampala

Crested Cranes head coach Faridah Bulega is excited that two more foreign based stars Sandra Nabweteme and Yudaya Nakayenze have joined camp to face Ethiopia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Qualifiers against Ethiopia over two legs on 3rd and 6th April 2019. The US based stars jetted in on Thursday night (10.30pm) aboard SN Brussels and were received at Entebbe International Airport by FUFA Women Development Officer Joan Namusisi before they driven straight to camp at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Crested Cranes head coach Faridah Bulega now has a full squad of 30players following the arrival of the duo. Another foreign-based player Fazila IkwapuT arrived on Sunday evening and started training with the rest of her teammates on Monday.

Sandra Nabweteme

‘I’m excited to be back home and play for my country. It will be a tough match but i’m confident of good results. Let’s plan as a team and get the best from the competition‘

Sandra Nabwteme flashing her famous smile on arrival at Entebbe International Airport last night

Yudaya Nakayenze

‘We have improved as players and our experience will help add value to the team. Team work will help us get to where we want. I think we have very good and talented players. I’m looking forward to link up with the rest of the team’

Yudaya Nakayenze

*Trainer Olive Mbekeka talks to Crested Cranes players after Thursday’s training at the Jinjs SS Grounds-The Mighty Arena*

The team changed the training environment from the artificial turf in Njeru to grass pitch at the The Mighty Arena-home of Uganda Premier League side-K-Jinja SS FC.

Bulega is expected to name her final squad this weekend before traveling to Ethiopia on Monday, April 1st for the first leg game on April 3.

*Crested Cranes captain Tracy Jones Akiror (Green) battles striker Hasifa Nasuna during at the Mighty Arena in Jinja*

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: L-R Crested Cranes Stars Sandra Nabweteme, FUFA Women Development Officer Joan Namusisi and Yudaya Nakayenze at Entebbe International Airport on Tursday night