24 March 2022 | Football

Hadijah Nandago is one of the female footballers that have sprouted out in Uganda over the last few months and if her performance in recent games is anything to go by, she is headed for the right path.

At just the age of 16, the Senior Five student at Kawempe Muslim Secondary School has already featured for the Junior National Teams (Uganda U17 and U20 Women National Teams) and already knocking at the Senior Team (The Crested Cranes).

Even when the COVID-19 hit the world and put a halt to many things, including Nandago's opportunity to keep her talent growing, when the chance to play again came, the crafty forward grabbed it by both hands.

Last year, she helped Isra Soccer Academy earn promotion to the FUFA Women Super League while on loan from Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC.

Her brilliant performance lured the coaches at Kawempe Muslim to bring her back thus promoting her to the senior team.

In her first season with the Senior team, Nandago helped the team to reach the semifinals of the FUFA Women Super League where they lost to eventually Champions, Lady Doves FC.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Nandago was part of the Uganda U17 Women's National Team that was one hurdle away from qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.

At the start, she struggled to command a slot on the starting team right from COSAFA and CECAFA U17 tournaments that Uganda won in 2019.

However, she kept working hard and when FUFA opted to register the Uganda U20 team for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Qualifiers last year, Nandago was one of the players that got promoted from the U17 Team.

This time, she had become a regular starter and added goals to her game hence being a key pillar for the team. Before getting eliminated by Ghana, Uganda has eliminated Kenya and South Africa with Nandago scoring two goals including the lone goal against South Africa at St. Mary's Stadium, Kitende.

She scored five goals as Uganda finished second at CECAFA U20 Women's Championship held at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Her performance prompted Crested Cranes coach George Lutalo to summon her ahead of the Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers last year.

This was a dream come true for Nandago who despite not making the final squad believes this was a good factor to push her and keep working harder.

"It is rare that at my age that you get summoned to the Senior National Team but I'm glad I was given the opportunity and hoping to use it as a springboard to get more calls in future," she said.

Nandago already has her target set at playing professional football and hopes to perform well both in the League and on the national teams to keep the consistency.

"Every footballer dreams of joining professional ranks and indeed this is my target in the next few years but I know I must keep grounded and continue working hard," Nandago intimated.

Who is Hadijah Nandago?

Nandago was born to Abdallah Kitengejja and Mariam Namakula on 15th February 2005, in Lungujja, Rubaga division, a suburb of Kampala.

She started playing football in Primary Four at Mirembe Infant Primary School in Nateete before catching the attention of coach Benard Ssenoga, on one of the pitches close to home.

After sitting for her Primary Seven Examinations, Nandago joined Rines SS WFC in 2017 where she studied her Senior One before moving to Pride SS the following year. She later joined Kawempe Muslim SS where she is currently in Senior Five.

Nandago at a glance

• Name: Hadijah Nandago
• Date of Birth: 15th February 2005
• Place of Birth: Lungujja, Rubaga
• Father’s Name: Abdallah Kitengejja
• Mother’s Name: Mariam Namakula

Schools Attended

• Primary: Mpereza Primary School, Khalid Primary School, Mirembe Infant School (P.3-P.7)
• Secondary: Rines SS – Senior 1, Pride College – Senior 2 and Kawempe Muslim SS- S.3-Up to now.
• Clubs – Isra Soccer Academy 2019/20(On loan) and Kawempe Muslim Ladies -2021 to date.

Celebrating Women in Sports

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