Unlike their male counterparts the Uganda Cranes, the Crested Cranes are enduring some of their brightest days, ahead of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations slated for Morocco starting Saturday.
The gallant ladies head into one of the continent’s biggest football showdowns in great form, with their confidence levels higher than ever. They are pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
In the build up to this coveted tournament, George Lutalo’s charges won the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after beating Burundi 3-1 in the final.
In the competition, Uganda won all her five matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in the process.
The aforementioned was before a number of other Stars joined in to strengthen the ranks further; Fauzia Najjemba, Ruth Aturo, Ritah Kivumbi, Viola Nambi and Vanessa Karungi among others came in as the team jetted out to Morocco.
For context, in the friendly with 2020 Olympians Zambia, CECAFA Stars Fazila Ikwaput, Sandra Nabweteme, Margaret Kunihira, Daisy Nakiziro, Phionah Nabbumba and others did not start, but the Cranes smashed the former 5-0 on Tuesday.
Najjemba, Kivumbi and a Nambi brace plus one from substitute, Ikwaput were enough to send Uganda into the WAFCON flying.
Even though one may call it just a practice match, Zambia is one of the top teams on the continent, with the Olympians boasting Stars like Grace Chanda.
But, the manner with which Uganda dispatched them is something that gives the latter’s fans reason to hope ahead of the July showpiece.
Also, the fact that Zambia drew 1-1 with Uganda’s group opponents, Morocco in a practice match gives more reasons to be expectant.
To add, the quality in depth within the Cranes’ ranks is enviable. It will be good headache for Lutalo to select the first eleven, as there is raw talent in each department.
However, it’s the forward line that Uganda’s opponents should be worried about more, as Lutalo is endowed with plenty of options in Najjemba, Kivumbi, Nambi, Ikwaput, Nabweteme, Kunihira, Lilian Mutuuzo, among others.
The goalkeeping department is the other area the Cranes have a mammoth in quality, thus health competition.
Each of Aturo (captain), Nakiziro and Karungi can perfectly represent the flag given the opportunity against any opponent.
The Ugandan faithful have never been more hopeful headed into a continental engagement, and even though it’s early days and anything can still happen, the Crested Cranes have already done themselves good service.
This post was written Allan Damba and first published by Football256.com and reproduced by kick442.com as an official media partner.
