Phoyo Credit - FUFA.
Four foreign-based players have joined the Crested Cranes camp as Uganda intensifies preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers against Ethiopia.
Resty Nanziri (East Bengal, India), Fazila Ikwaput (Gokulam Kerala, India), Joanita Ainembabazi (Kickstart FC, India), and Nabisaalu Bridget (Modern Sport, Egypt) arrived at the team’s residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi, on Friday.
Their arrival strengthens the squad, particularly in attack, where Uganda has been short of options in training.
The Crested Cranes squad also includes five U17 players, Martha Babirye, Doreen Aujat, Shadia Nabirye, Agnes Nabukenya, and Rinah Ariho—who are gaining senior team exposure before returning to the Teen Cranes setup for their upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Kenya.
Uganda will host Ethiopia in the first leg of the WAFCON Qualifiers on February 21 in Kampala before traveling to Addis Ababa for the return fixture on February 26. The Crested Cranes are aiming for their third WAFCON appearance, having last qualified in 2022.
Meanwhile, the team has suffered a significant setback with the confirmation that towering defender Shadia Nankya will miss the double-header against Ethiopia due to injury.
Nankya, who was recently unveiled by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit, has been ruled out of the February fixtures after picking up an injury. Her absence marks a major blow to Uganda’s defensive options, especially given that she also missed the November friendlies against Algeria.
To cover the void left by Nankya, Aisha Nantongo has been called up and has already joined her national teammates at Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi.
With training sessions ongoing at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, head coach Sheryl Botes will now look to integrate the foreign-based players and make final tactical adjustments ahead of the crucial encounters.
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