Nabulime embraces growth after CAF Women’s Champions League campaign

Crested Cranes midfielder, Phiona Nabulime says playing in the CAF Women’s Champions League tested her mentally but also made her stronger.

She featured for Egyptian side FC Masar, who hosted the tournament in Ismailia from November 8–21.

“The tournament tested me mentally and my personal takeaways include developing resilience, learning to perform under pressure and understanding the value of teamwork,” Nabulime said.

“Every time I stepped onto the pitch, I felt a responsibility to represent every young girl in Uganda who dares to dream big,” she said.

Nabulime added that her journey is about inspiring others.

“This journey is bigger than me. It is for every girl who believes football can change her life. It proves that background does not define your potential and no dream is too big. With hard work and self-belief, every young girl can play and shine at the big stage.”

She feels humbled to represent Uganda on a continental stage.

“I am humbled to be part of this achievement and the support I have received. I am proud to represent Uganda at the continental stage. I believe more Ugandans will feature in this prestigious tournament,” she added.

The midfielder is focused on growth and improving her game.

“I am committed to continuous growth, both on and off the pitch, striving to represent my club and country with excellence. I am grateful for the progress I have made so far, and I am excited to keep pushing forward,” she concluded.

Nabulime joined Masar last year after captaining Kawempe Muslim to the FUFA Women Super League title. She has now joined an exclusive group of Ugandan footballers to play in the CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament, following others who played in previous editions.

Her team finished fourth and received the Fair Play Award. In the third-place play-off, Masar faced TP Mazembe, who won 3–1 to secure the bronze medal. This was the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

Both clubs reached the semifinals for the second consecutive edition, showing consistency at the continental level. Masar finished third in the previous edition, while Mazembe were champions in 2024.

In her debut season last year, she helped FC Masar win the Egyptian Women’s Premier League title.