Crested Cranes head coach George Lutalo has summoned a quartet of foreign-based stars among the 39 provisional squad to prepare ahead of the team’s AWCON qualifier against Kenya next month.

The quartet includes Viola Nambi who plies her trade at Vaxjo dff FC in Sweden and returns to the team after 10 years.

Others are Shiraz Natasha who plays for Maccabi Kishronot Hadera in Israel and returns to the team after 6 years with common figures Nakayenze Yudaya of Lindey Wilson College in the USA and Nabweteme Sandra who plays for Fimleikafelag hafnarfjordur in Iceland.

Nambi who left the country for professional football in 2014 after leading St Mary’s Kitende to their first national schools' girls title, comes back to the team after having last played for the Crested Cranes in 2013 failed AWCON qualifier attempt against DR Congo.

Shirazi Natsha (front) Stretches

Shirazi who also last featured for the then Majidah Nantanda managed side in 2016 when the team had an international friendly against the same Kenya Harambe Starlets in Kisumu, with the hosts winning 4-0, was again summoned for the task against Ethiopia but failed to make it.

Nabweteme, who’s Uganda’s all-time leading scorer plays professional football in Iceland at second division side Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar from top division outfits Þór/KA (Thor/KA) and her together with Nakayenze, has been a regular figure in the team although Nakayenze failed to make the Ethiopia qualifier assignment.

“I am delighted coming back on the team, imagining 7 years, this is very special to me and I can’t wait. My club has already supported me in this and I am ready to give out my all to lift my country so we make it to the maiden finals,” a happy Shiraz Natasha said.

The squad has a number of the Uganda U-20 team players that have a second-leg FIFA women U-20 world cup qualifier against Ghana early next month.

But goalkeeper and team captain Ruth Aturo is back with Kawempe Moslem goalkeeper Juliet Adeka, Kampala queens striking pair Zaina Namuleme and Lillian Mutuzo among the notable returnees while striker Fazila Ikwaput who missed the Ethiopia qualifier recovers in time to also make the trip.

Impressive Uganda U20 winger and Kataka WFC captain Zainah Nandede makes her maiden senior team summon.

Uganda eliminated Ethiopia 2-1 on penalties after the two sides settled for a 2-2 aggregate score after Ethiopia beat Uganda 2-0 in the second leg at Abebe Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Uganda takes on Kenya in the first leg at St Mary’s Kitende on February 17 before the second leg in a week in Nairobi and the winner qualifies for the finals set for Morocco in August.

The summoned Crested Cranes provisional squad

Goalkeepers

Aturo Ruth (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Nakaziro Daisy (Lady Doves FC), Namakula Gloria (Tooro Queens FC), Adeke Juliet (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nyayenga Daphine (Lady Doves FC)

Defenders

Nankya Shadia (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Nakayenze Yudaya (Lindey Wilson College-USA), Namuddu Viola (Makerere University WFC), Nantumbwe Wilmer (She Corporate FC) Ariokot Eunice (Olila High School WFC), Komuntale Sumayah (Tooro Queens FC), Nakacwa Samalie(Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nakibuuka Asia(Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nadunga Bira (Olila High School WFC), Nantongo Aisha
(Kawempe Muslim WFC), Banura Pheobe (UCU Lady Cardinals FC)

Midfielders

Nyinagahirwa Shakira (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nabirye Joan (Vihiga Queens FC – Kenya), Nanziri Rhoda(Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nabbosa Riticia(Lady Doves FC), Nabbumba Phionah (She Corporate FC), Nalugya Shamirah (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Zalwango Sheebah (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Nandago Hadijah (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Kobusobozi Resty (Tooro Queens FC), Namuleme Zaina
(Kampala Queens FC), Nassuna Hasifah (UCU Lady Cardinals FC)

Forwards

Nadunga Sharon (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Nanziri Resty (Kampala Queens FC), Nakacwa Spencer (Lady Doves FC), Nabweteme Sandra (Fimleikafelag hafnarfjordur-Iceland), Ikwaput Fazila (Lady Doves FC),  Nambi Viola (Vaxjo dff FC, Sweden), Shiraz Natasha (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera-Israel), Kisakye Sandra, (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Nandede Zainah (Kataka-She FC), Kunihira Margret (Kawempe Muslim WFC), Najjemba Fauzia (Kampala Queens FC), Mutuuzo Lilian (Kampala Queens)

Officials
Head Coach: George Lutalo
Assistant Coach: Kaziba Edward
Goalkeeping Coach: James Magala
Team Manager: Ssali Paul
Equipment Manager: Nalwadda Prossy