Uganda to host qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali

Crested Cranes during the 2021 COSAFA Women's Championship in South Africa | CAF Photo

FOOTBALL Uganda to host qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali

Shafic Kiyaga • 08:03 - 05.07.2023

Uganda does not have a CAF accredited stadium to host a specific criterion of matches organized under CAF including the senior Uganda Cranes games.

Africa football governing body, CAF has granted Uganda’s request to host the the first leg of the 2024 Women's Olympic qualifier against Rwanda in the country’s capital Kigali.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Kigali Pele Stadium on July 12, 2023.

FUFA, through their official website, has confirmed that they received confirmation from the Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) regarding the availability of the stadium for this crucial qualifier.

Uganda does not have a CAF accredited stadium to host a specific criterion of matches organized under CAF including the senior Uganda Cranes games.

The Mandela Naitonal Stadium is still under redevelopment, with the project expected to be completed by November 2023.

Meanwhile, the other option at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, is not available to host games as it undergoes improvements to meet CAF standards.

The Pele Kigali Arena that will host the Paris 2024 first leg qualifier between Uganda's Crested Cranes and Rwanda | Photo Credit: Courtesy

St. Mary’s is expected to be the host venue for both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup games involving both Vipers SC and KCCA FC respectively.

Ahmed Hussein, the Communications Director at FUFA, expressed the association's gratitude to CAF for their decision.

He acknowledged the challenges faced in finding suitable stadiums that meet CAF's standards for hosting matches of this magnitude within Uganda.

Uganda Crested Cranes players vie for possesion during training at Lugogo | Photo Credit: FUFA Media

Hussein stated, "With the unavailability of CAF standard stadiums for hosting matches of this magnitude, our option is to implore using venues outside the country.”

“The Mandela National Stadium is still under. The other option, St. Mary's Stadium Kitende, is not available for use as it is undergoing renovation works."

The highly anticipated first leg encounter between these two talented teams will kick off at 4 pm local time in Rwanda, which corresponds to 5 pm East Africa Time.

The Crested Cranes started preparations for the qualifier on Monday, and have announced that they will engage in an international friendly game against Tanzania's Twiga Stars as part of their build up.

Fauzia Najjemba {yellow} attempts a shot during a friendly game between the Crested Cranes and Kampala Select team | Fufa Image

The friendly match is scheduled to take place on Friday, 7th July 2023, at the MTN-Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, with FUFA announcing that entrance to the match will be free.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Rwanda will progress to face Cameroon in the second qualification round.

Crested Cranes Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo (Alshabab FC Women, Saudi Arabia), Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Hadijah Nalongo (UCU Lady Cardinals, Uganda), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC, Uganda)

Defenders: Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nakibuuka (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Lukiya Namubiru (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakira Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Stella Musibika (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Desire Katisi Natooro (Kataka She FC, Uganda), Patience Nabulobi (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Samalie Nakacwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Midfielders: Joan Nabirye(FK Minsk, Belarus), Zaituni Namaganda (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC, Uganda, Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Hadijah Nandago (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Rhodah Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Elizabeth Nakigozi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Hasifah Nassuna (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sandra Nabweteme (Hapoel Ironic Petah Tikva, Israel), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Ashiat Naluggwa (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Fazila Ikwaput (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Joanita Ainembabazi (Ceasiaa Queens FC, Tanzania), Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC, Uganda), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Anita Namata (Vihiga Queens FC, Kenya)