Mbekeka to lead U-20's in World Cup qualifiers

WOMEN FOOTBALL

FIFA U20 Women World Cup Qualifier

Preliminary round

First leg

January 18

Tanzania v Uganda

Return leg

February 1st

Uganda v Tanzania

Olive Mbekeka has been appointed in charge of the U-20 women national team preparing for the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup Qualifier.

Mbekeka will be assisted by Christine Wanyana and Ibrahim Mugisha as the first assistant and goalkeeping coach respectively while Mable Kabatalindwa is the team doctor.

The four will be in charge of a provisional squad of 30 players that was summoned to start preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. They are expected to start residential training at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru today.

Most of the players in the squad have already featured for the Senior National Team ‘The Crested Cranes' and the U-17 girls' team.

This is the second time Uganda is taking part in the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup qualifiers. Their first appearance in the qualifiers was in 2013 where they recorded a tremendous 22-0 aggregate win over South Sudan.

Costa Rica and Panama will host the 2020 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in August later this year. 

Margaret Kunihira passes the ball against a FWEL player in a friendly at Njeru . Photo by Silvano Kibuuka.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Daphine Nyayenga (Uganda Martyrs HS), Juliet Adeke (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Else Najjemba (St. Noa SS), Zaharah Nankya (Makerere University WFC).

Defenders: Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals), Stella Musibika (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Mariam Nakabugo (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Fatuma Nakasumba (Kampala Queens FC), Grace Aluka (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Elizabeth Nakigozi (Muteesa II Royal Univ WFC), Eunice Ariokot (Olila HS WFC) and Aisha Namukisa (Kampala Queens FC).

Midfielders: Phiona Nabbumba (She Corporates FC), Teddy Najjuma (UCU Lady Cardinals), Sharon Naddunga (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Shamirah Nalugya (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Zaina Namuleme (Kampala Queens FC), Aisha Nantongo (St. Noa SS), Anita Namata (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Moureen Afoyo (Ajax Queens FC), Shakira Mutiibwa (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), and Joan Nabirye (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC).

Forwards: Fauzia Najjemba (Kampala Queens FC), Norah Alupo (Saviors FC), Juliet Nalukenge (Kawempe Muslim LFC), Lillian Mutuuzo (Kampala Queens FC), Margaret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim LFC), and Favour Nambatya (She Corporate FC)