Crested Cranes will start their 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers journey today as they take on Algeria at 4PM at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
A crucial game it is, but coach Ayub Khalifah will be looking forward to winning the first leg to go in the second leg, away from home, with positive results.
But what should Uganda do to overcome highly ranked Algeria on Wednesday evening?
Ayub Khalifah will have to be critical with his starting eleven selection against Algeria, especially the midfield and defense.
Goalkeeping
Ruth Aturo is ruled out due to an injury she picked up during training, leaving the spot for Vanessa Karungi and Daisy Nakaziro.
However fans have for awhile now demanded Vanessa and during the last two training days, Karungi impressed the coaches making her the favorite to start in between the posts.
Defense
The left back position has no competition and Sumaya Komuntale will start while Asia Nakibuuka is expected to start at right back.
In the centre back positions, Aisha Nantongo reached late but is likely to start with Shadia Nankya.
Midfield
Joan Nabirye has proved to be the first option in defensive midfield, leaving the other two positions to be fought for between Nassuna, Nabbosa, Nabbumba among others.
However, the return of Nabbosa shows how much the team missed her and Nassuna is likely to start as the attacking midfielder because of her game intelligence and creativity.
Forwards
Fauzia Najjemba is a regular starter for her Club, Sandra Nabweteme as well, however Nabweteme joined the camp in the last day of training.
Viola Nambi made a statement over the weekend scoring for her side Pomigliano in Italy topflight against Juventus WFC and Fazila Ikwaput has been freely scoring for Kampala Queens.
However, among all the forwards, only Fazila Ikwaput can play as a genuine centre forward, giving her a tactical advantage.
The four will be competing for the starting three spots and will face competition from other players like Kunihira and Nagadya, who have proved to be top players at their teen age.
Avoid, and Score The Early Goal
Uganda should focus on not conceding a goal in early stages of the game as they also work on how to penetrate and net first to cause disorganization to the opponents’ plan.
However, the combination of Nantongo and Nankya in center back, looked shaky when Uganda fought hard to eject Rwanda in 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers.
Since then, the two players have only trained once together ahead of today’s game. They have to be at their best if named again.
Uganda must win today’s game or otherwise it will be a tall mountain to climb in the return leg in Algeria.
Algeria who have 20 professional footballers in their current squad will host Uganda on 26th September, 2023 in the return leg in Oran.
The winner between Uganda and Algeria will take on either Burundi or Ethiopia in the second round.
Uganda eliminated Ethiopia in the last edition to qualify for the final tournament that was held in Morocco in 2022 and they’ll be hoping to return to the championship for the second time in a row.
Uganda’s probable lineup; Vanessa Karungi (GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumayah Komuntale, Shadia Nankya, Aisha Nantongo, Joan Nabirye, Ritticia Nabbosa, Hassifah Nassuna, Sandra Nabweteme, Fauzia Najjemba, Fazila Ikwaput.
Courtesy Photos
