Seninde eyes Cranes team

By Aloysius Byamukama

Jean Sseninde Namayega is a Ugandan soccer player who turns out for London Phoenix Ladies team in England’s second division.

The 21-year-old midfielder has expressed her great desire to play for the national women’s soccer team — The Crested Cranes after her two-year professional stint in London.

“Any soccer player, be it male or female would want to feature for their respective national teams if they are focused,” Namayega told New Vision.

Namayega focused

“It is my dream to become a member of the Uganda’s soccer team in future.

“However, it is not just a matter of being an international player.

“You cannot be called to the national team if you do not deserve a place there.” Namayega, who is determined to achieve her targets added, “Playing for any team is all about hard work.”

Before joining London Phoenix Ladies, Sseninde played for Charlton Women FC after leaving St. Mary’s Kitende in Uganda. The Crested Cranes head coach Majida Nantanda said she recommended Namayega to join English football through the domestic football governing body FUFA.

“She wrote to me requesting for assistance. I was glad to help her,” Nantanda stated. Namayega becomes the second foreign based Ugandan female soccer player to show interest in turning out for the The Crested Cranes after Laki Otandeka who is based in the United States.

Crested Cranes is the target

The foreign based player’s interest in The Crested Cranes could have been reinforced by the Live Your Goals programme held in Kampala last week.

The FIFA programme is geared at inspiring women footballers to compete at the highest level like the World Cup and other international events.

Namayega is the daughter of Wakiso district woman MP Rose Sseninde. She went to Gayaza High where she joined the school’s football team.

Later, Namayega enrolled at St. Mary’s Kitende for her A Level education. She was named captain of the team that won titles before she went to England.