Odds against Crested Cranes
Good build up: The Crested Cranes team that defeated UCU Lady Cardinals 2-0 in a build-up match played at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Campus in Kabojja on Good Friday. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE
What you need to know:
- It will also help Bulega that her defence will have a huge understanding as UCU goalkeeper Ruth Aturo and teammate Nakayenze played with left-back Grace Aluka and She Mak right-back Viola Namuddu for more than three years at Kawempe.
- Finally, after three and a half league seasons plus a few Cecafa caps in tow, Bulega feels that half of her squad has enough experience of what to expect at national team level.
Kampala. If the preparations are anything to go by, then Crested Cranes have done little to show interest in qualifying for a maiden Africa Women’s Cup of Nations due November 17 – December 1 in Ghana.
Faridah Bulega’s side entered camp only a week before they braved a 723.4km road trip to Machakos where they confront Kenya tomorrow in the first round of the qualifiers.
Bulega’s side must brave that distance again ahead of the tie’s second leg on April 8 at Lugogo for a second round battle against Equatorial Guinea, for which the winner gets a berth at the finals.
For a side that camped in Lubowa and trained only on a grass pitch at Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU) – Kabojja, Crested Cranes will likely have no superior advantage over Kenya when they meet on Lugogo’s astro-turf.
Kenya in fine shape
Kenya, meanwhile have been in camp since February and recently beat a struggling Zambia 0-3 in a friendly. They also possess the better astro-turf record after beating Uganda 0-4 at the Cecafa Women Championship in Njeru in 2016.
The Crested Cranes in comparison lost 3-2 to a boys’ team; Kampala Junior Team (KJT) in their first trial game.
Then beat the rest of the unselected players playing under Kampala Select 2-1 before a 2-0 win over Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals on Good Friday.
While at it coach Bulega has admitted to struggling to find a suitable centre back pairing although she started with UCU’s Yudaya Nakayenze and Uganda Martyrs High School (UHMS) Lubaga’s Shadia Nankya in all three test games.
The midfield too has struggled without an enforcer with Bulega yet to decide on who between UHMS’s Esther Naluyimba and Gafford’s Shakirah Mutiibwa will partner Kawempe Muslim’s Tracy Akiror.
Building on positives
Bulega will hope that whatever combination she zeroes down on tomorrow will create chances for a potent attack led by Hasifah Nassuna.
At Cecafa where Nassuna finished top scorer, the UCU striker showed she could score against any opposition although she is yet to find the back of the net against Kenya.
She will be backed by the skilful Zaina Namuleme, Juliet Nalukenge’s sophistication and Asia Nakibuuka’s aggression in search for goals.
It will also help Bulega that her defence will have a huge understanding as UCU goalkeeper Ruth Aturo and teammate Nakayenze played with left-back Grace Aluka and She Mak right-back Viola Namuddu for more than three years at Kawempe.
Finally, after three and a half league seasons plus a few Cecafa caps in tow, Bulega feels that half of her squad has enough experience of what to expect at national team level.
