Phiona Nabbumba says her new role at B93 Boldklubben is a ‘learning curve’, but one that she’s nonetheless relishing.
A central-attacking midfielder by trade but capable of operating in a number of positions, the 23-year-old has recently begun to shift into the defensive midfield at B93 Boldklubben.
It’s a challenge that Nabbumba has acclimatised to seamlessly, and a transition but has helped her team to be unstoppable this season.
And while she’s known for the long ball, creating chances and scoring goals, Nabbumba admits that she’s enjoying getting to grips with what’s now expected of her.
“It’s a big learning curve for me. I’m always learning and looking to improve.
“Not just me, everyone rotates and plays in different positions throughout the game.
“It doesn’t come naturally when I’m in the defensive midfield but I’m willing to keep trying to improve and read the game and bring my qualities and skills to the team.
“I’m giving everything and being as positive as I can be when I get the ball. The manager puts me there because he sees what I can do in training,” she says.
Nabbumba has long been renowned as a composed ball-playing central-attacking midfielder, but this superb display shows her ability to keep play moving in tighter spaces.
“I watch a lot of footage back after the games and see what I can improve on. I want to go out there and play as best as I can.
“I want to get the ball moving for the team and getting into positions – it’s worked quite well so far, and I hope it keeps getting better.
The soft-spoken intelligent midfielder is grateful to her former side She Corporate FC’s coach Ali Zinda.
“I remember under coach Ali Zinda, I used to play the same role in some games and I believe it has helped me to adopt the role fast.
“It only does me good as well – adding these qualities and understanding of the game in different positions on the pitch. I’m really enjoying it and it’s paying off I think.”
In the 2021/22 season, Nabbumba scored five goals and registered 8 assists as her team She Corporate FC lifted the FUFA Women’s Super League title.
In the same season, Nabbumba was named the MVP of the league for her outstanding and remarkable performance throughout the entire season.
In early 2022, Nabbumba helped Crested Cranes lift their maiden CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship title that was hosted in Uganda.
In mid-2022, she was part of the Crested Cranes squad that played in the WAFCON tournament in Morocco before later helping She Corporate to finish second in the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania.
Nabbumba joined B93 Boldklubben in February this year from She Corporate FC and the same year, she was also named the 2022 Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Female Player of the Year.
She has played 90 minutes in every game this season and has provided one assist in four games played so far.
Her club B93 Boldkluben is currently on top of the summit, winning all their four 2023/24 opening games and they’ll be in action this Saturday as they will visit bottom side Sundby BK at 3 p.m.
After the Saturday game, Nabbumba will join the rest of the Crested Cranes squad that is currently in the camp preparing for the 2024 WAFCON qualifiers double-header against Algeria that will be played on 20th September this year in Njeru and a return leg will come a week later.
