Shakira Nyinagahirwa and Catherine Nagadya will be some of the players to look out for as the U18 women’s football team enters a residential camp on Tuesday at Cranes Paradise Hotel. 

The duo was part of the Crested Cranes team that eliminated Rwanda in the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers and they will be expected to replicate similar performances.

The youngsters are preparing for the U18 CECAFA Women Championship, which is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 8 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Originally the tournament was supposed to be hosted in Kenya, before a change in the host nation was announced.

It is worth noting that the team had started training before the camp was called off by FUFA due to uncertainty surrounding the tournament. However, with the confirmation of the new host nation, preparations have resumed.

Head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has summoned a total of 25 players to enter the camp, from which he will select the final squad that will represent Uganda.

Goalkeepers: Nansamba Bridget (Rhines SS WFC/Rhines SS), Nakiirya Lillian (St. Noa Ss WFC/St Noah SS), Kaidu Sharon (Uganda Martyrs HSL WFC/ Uganda Martyrs High school Lubaga), Kamuli Cecilia (Tooro Queens/Kings of Kings).

Defenders: Nanyanzi Nakato Patricia (Rines SS WFC/Rines SS), Namirimu Faridah (Wakiso Hills WFC/Wakiso Hill SS), Nakimera Sharifah (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS), Nabulobi Patience (Kla Queens/Caltec Academy) Katusiime Charity (Tagy HS WFC/Tagy High school) Nandhengo Rebecca (Uganda Martyrs HSL WFC/ Uganda Martys HS Lubaga) Natooro Desire Katisi (She Kataka FC/Amus College School).

Midfielders: Nayiga Patricia (Wakiso Hill WFC/Wakiso Hill SS) Namutebi Krusum (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS) Nabulime Phiona (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS) Nabukenya Agnes (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS) Kisakye Dorcus (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS) Shakira Nyinagahirwa (Kampala Queens/Kawempe Muslim SS) Tamisi Shafiga (She Kataka FC/Amus College) Hadija Nandago (Kampala Queens/ Kawempe Muslim SS).

Forwards: Nassazi Allen (Kawempe Muslim LFC/Kawempe Muslim SS) Najjuma Shamsa (Uganda Martyrs HSL WFC/Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga) Nagadya Catherine (Kampala Queens/St. Noah SS) Munyana Brenda (Uganda Martyrs HSL WFC/Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga) Nalumu Sumaiyah (Uganda Martyrs HSL WFC/Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga) Naigaga Kamiyati (Tagy HS).