2020 Olympics qualifiers: Crested Cranes camp boosted by arrival of US based Sandra Nabweteme and Nakayenze

Crested Cranes preparing for their 2020 Olympics qualifier against Ethiopia have received a timely boost as USA based pair of Sandra Nabweteme and Yudaya Nakayenze joined residential training camp on Friday.

The arrival of the pair takes Crested Crane’s training camp in Njeru to full house levels as the side prepares for the two-legged qualifier.

Forward Nabweteme and defender Nakanyeze who play for South West Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and Seminole Women soccer team respectively were some the high profile figures included in the 30-man squad summoned by coach Faridah Bulega.

The former Kawempe Muslim duo touched down at Entebbe at around 22:30 hours on Thursday night.

”We are so happy to be here and very ready to play our hearts out for our country. It is such an honour to be called and play for the national team,” Nabweteme said upon arrival.

Striker Fazila Ikwaput, who plays for Kazakhstan side BIIK Kazygurt is the other foreign based player who joined the camp on Monday.

The team entered camp on Friday. The side shifted from the artificial turf of Njeru and were put through their paces at Kirinya Jinja SS’s Mighty Arena in Jinja.

The 30-player squad will be reduced to the final 20 who will travel to Ethiopia on 1st April for the first leg encounter in Addis Ababa on 3rd. The return leg in Kampala is scheduled three days later.

The aggregate winner between Uganda and Ethiopia will take on continental heavyweights Cameroon who already received a bye.

Full Crested Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals), Daisy Nakaziro (Lady Doves), Vanessa Karungi (She Corporates), Juliet Adeke (Kawempe Muslim)

Defenders; Shadia Nankya (Uganda Martyrs), Aisha Namukisa (Kampala Queens), Viola Namuddu (Makerere), Phoebe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals), Margret Birabwa (Muteesa I Royal), Wilmer Nantumbwe (She Corporates), Yudaya Nakayenze (Seminole Women Soccer team, USA), Gladys Nakitto (Lady Doves), Grace Aluka (Kawempe Muslim), Marion Amagat (Olila HS)

Midfielders; Phionah Nabbumba (Ajax Queens), Tracy Jones Akiror (Kawempe Muslim), Teddy Najjuma (UCU), Shamilah Nalujja (Isra Academy), Fauzia Najjemba (Isra), Lillian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens), Anitah Namata (Kawempe Muslim), Susan Atim (Olila HS), Riticia Nabbosa (Lady Doves)

Strikers; Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Muslim), Monica Namwase (Kampala Queens), Hasifa Nassuna (UCU), Zainah Namuleme (Kampala Queens), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens), Sandra Nabweteme (SW Oklahoma State University, USA) and Fazila Ikwaput (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan)