Teenage striker Rinah Ariho named to Crested Cranes provisional squad

Boni Consilii Girls School Isingiro captain and teenage striker Rinah Ariho has been summoned for the first time to the senior women's national football team, the Crested Cranes.

The 16-year-old made the 33-player provisional squad named by team coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes on Wednesday, as the team prepares for a pair of international friendly matches against Algeria.

This year, Ariho has been an impressive player for both the senior and junior Boni Consilii school teams. She helped them win their maiden USSSA Ankole zone girls' football trophy in April and finish 7th overall in the national girls' football championship in Ndejje in May.

She also led the junior side to their first USSSA girls' U16 title, scoring in the final to secure a 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Kawempe Muslim after a 1-1 draw in regular time in September in Soroti. Her goal in that final brought her tally to 9 goals, earning her the top scorer accolade.

Coach Botes, who watched that final, took an interest in the S3 youngster and named her for her first experience with the senior players for the build-up matches against Algeria.

“She has been improving steadily, and her contribution to the team, along with her hard work, makes us hopeful she will do her best with the national team,” said school games teacher Primus Ngabirano.

Ariho will now join fellow teenage players Sylvia Kabene of St. Noa and Agnes Nabukenya of Kawempe Muslim, who have more national team caps.

The team entered residential training on Thursday and, after training for the next few days, is expected to travel to Algeria on Sunday, 24th November, ahead of the games scheduled for the 27th and 30th of this month.

Crested Cranes Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Ruth Aturo (Vihiga Queens FC), Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC), Molly Naava Nabitaka (She Corporate FC), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)

Defenders

Shadia Nankya (FC Masar), Bridget Nabisaalu (Modern Sports FC), Phiona Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Maureen Kimono (Kampala Queens FC), Shakirah Nankwanga (Kampala Queens FC), Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Angel Awuki Kigongo (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC), Zabinah Namboozo (Amus College WFC), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC), Hasifah Patricia Namboozo (Makerere University WFC)

Midfielders

Joan Nabirye (FC Spartak Moscow), Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben Af 1893), Yuster Kayesu (Rines SS WFC), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC), Brenda Munyana (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC), Doreen Nakayiwa (She Maroons FC), Violah Nambi (Napoli FC), Peace Muduwa (Kampala Queens FC),Ronah Regina Nantege (She Corporate FC), Shamim Kilikumwino (Jinja City Queens FC), Rinah Aruho (Boni Consilii Girls Vocational School), Margret Kunihira (Ceseaa Queens FC)

Forwards

Fazilah Ikwaput (Gokulam Kerala FC), Joanita Ainembabazi (New Heroes Queens FC), Resty Nanziri (Boldklubben Af 1893), Sylvia Kabene (St. Noa WFC), Agnes Nabukenya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Mastulah Atuhaire (FC Tooro Queens), Sharon Namatovu (Makerere University WFC)