• FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
• Mozambique vs Uganda – 4:00pm (EAT)

The Uganda U-20 National Women’s Team, Queen Cranes, kickstart their journey today as they seek for a spot in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The Queen Cranes’ first assignment will be staged by Mozambique today at Campo da ABB Matola Stadium.

Both sides got a bye in the first round due to the recent performance in the just concluded campaigns.

Notably, in the last World Cup qualifiers, Uganda edged South Africa in a 1-0 victory before they were ousted by Ghana while Mozambique went past Estwani before South Africa ended their journey.

Ayub Khalifa will be the captain of the ship as the Queen Cranes seek a spot on the World’s grand stage. After failing to make a return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, he will now attempt to draw a plan for yet another huge qualification campaign.

Queen Cranes will miss the services of lethal Shakira Nyinagahirwa who is out due to an injury.

The other notable absentees are goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga and Aisha Natongo who just completed transfer deals to kickstart their professional stints.

However, the team will be blessed with the availability of the services of Catherine Nagadya and Margaret Kunihira who will lead the team from the front.

The duo has been part of the Crested Cranes and their experience will be a huge spark to ignite the team ahead of Mozambique’s test.

The Uganda U20 Women’s National Team Head Coach Ayub Khalifa has named the final squad that will travel to Mozambique ahead of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

The Queen Cranes will face Mozambique in the first preliminary round that is set to be played on Saturday, 7th October 2023 at Campo da ABB Matola Stadium.

Later, the two sides will lock horns in the second leg that will be hosted at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Friday, 13th October.

The travelling squad is made up of 20 players including three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and five forwards.

The team departed Uganda on Thursday morning (2:45 am) aboard Ethiopian Airlines and is expected to hold two training sessions before the game.

The Final Squad

Goalkeepers

Lilian Nakiirya (St. Noa Girls SS), Sharon Norah Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC), Angella Adeke (Royal Queens FC)

Defenders

Patience Nabulobi (Kampala Queens FC), Patricia Nakato Nanyanzi (Rines SS WFC), Desire Katisi Natooro (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Faridah Namirimu (Wakiso Hill WFC), Harima Kanyago (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Sharifah Nakimera (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Midfielders

Krusum Namutebi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Phionah Nabulime (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Agnes Nabukenya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Docus Kisakye (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Eva Naggayi (Rines SS WFC), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC)

Forwards

Hadijah Nandago (Kampala Queens FC), Brenda Munyana (Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC), Margret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC), Catherine Nagadya (Kampala Queens FC), Kamiyati Naigaga (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC)