FUFA Women’s Super League: Kayiira Jackson’s Best XI of the Season
The epic season of FUFA Women’s Super League finally come to an end and She Corporate Football Club crowned the Champions of the 2021/22 season following a barren draw against Kampala Queens on Friday 20th May 2022 at MUBS Arena-Nakawa.
The league registered a record 193 goals scored in 90 games of the season.
The Sharks winning their first ever Super league title, means, they are the side to represent Uganda in the CAF Women’s Champions league qualifiers.
Its the history making for the Sharks but this article is all about the best performers in the season, no doubt Kayiira Jackson is among the Journalists keenly followed the league this season, he has came with his best eleven and the coach to guide the team.
The best XI is in a 4:3:3 formation:
Goalkeeper:
Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate)
Her switching from Uganda Martyrs High School WFC, the side that trusted her that she can be a good custodian to She Corporate at the eve of the season, made her to aim higher. In sixteen games she featured for Nakawa based side, she managed to have 11 clean sheets. Though Gloria Namakula of Tooro Queens was good before picking up an injury in second round, and Prima Mugadde of Kampala Queens had a good improvement this season.
Wujja Catherine (Runes SS Women football club)
A very young girl but too ambitious, she was a strong pillar among those helped Rines SS to maintain her position in Super League for next season, though the confirmation came after the final day.
Wujja is only 17 years and a student at Rimes SS, But Aminah Nakato of She Corporate was also consistent in that position.
Miriam Ibunyu (She Corporate)
This determined, fearless left back,recovered from injury she had on her arm before the commence of the season, but when she returned, she picked form and maintained it to the end of the season, actually she also earned her maiden call at the National team, Crested Cranes, in this position, she was battling with Marion Amangat of Olila High who also played well.
Shakirah Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
At least I have watched many of Kawempe Muslim games for the last two seasons when Mariam Nakabugo left the Valley Warriors, but the Aztec Academy graduate, Shakira Nankwanga proved to be one of the future prospects for the country, this season, Kawempe had a poor run, in fact the worst since the school embraced women football, 20 years an more back.
However, Nankwanga has been an out standing player in their back four, actually her stability, excellent game reading, composer forced Kawempe’s technical bench to push skipper, Aisha Nantongo from back to forward and the partnership of Nankwanga and Susan Nalukoda performed well, it will be among the best come next season if at all they don’t lose the track.
Margret Namirimu (She Corporate)
The former Muteesa I Royal University WFC (Now defunct), joined the Sharks at the start of 2020/21 season but the girl never disappointed, she filled the gap in the defence, she had a good command, allowed few deadly attacks reached her goal keeper and she got a reward in having a national team summon. The girl had improved a lot. Apart from the humiliating 5-0 defeat against Lady Doves, She Corporate rarely conceded two goals, that’s why their custodian had 11 clean sheets in 16 games.
Cissy Nantongo (She Corporate)
The unsung hero this season, many never noticed her contribute in Corporate team that won the 2021/22 season title, many eyes were on Phoinah Nabbumba and Naumi Nagadya, but Cissy Nantongo did give the team balance, good cover to the back four, did all the donkey work in that indomitsble midfield, Nantongo never allowed any opponent to enjoy the midfield, she was good at taming the ball players, stopped many attacks, and it was a big surprise that she wasn’t recognized at the National team.
Zainah Namuleme (Kampala Queens)
This lady just came from two years’ sabbatical, many know her as a wing forward but when she returned to Kampala Queens, under the management of new technical team, she was accommodated in the middle of the park, but the double foot player is one of the reason as to which KQ took the league to wire, surely Kampala University had one of the shaky defence but she gave them protection, she was the player to dictate the play, when to have short or long passes, lifted and cooled the intensity of the game, though she picked an injury towards the bend of the season.
Phionah Nabbumba (She Corporate)
No doubt, she was the most valuable player of the season, the youngster who desired to quit football after a national team drop, she has been exceptional, the team has been playing on her, scored five and made six assists, incredible player.
Hasifah Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals)
It’s in this season when Hasifah Nassuna scored her 100th goal since the inception of the league in 2015, she scored 15 goals this season, her goals contributed a lot for the position UCU got, scored at least 80% of the goals UCU scored, she was incredible match winner.
Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves)
The 2020/21 topscorer, bounced back also to lift the golden boot in 2021/22 season, now with 15 goals, despite the fact that the defending champions of that season had a very poor run.
Grace Aluka (Olila High School WFC)
The defender turned a forward when joined Olila two seasons back, Aluka has been incredible this season, finished with nine goals, the team was on her back, 90% of Olila goals came from her, she has even returned to national team.
Honorable mentions;
Prima Mugadde (Kampala Queens), Nakato Aminah (She Corporate), Shakirah Nyiragahirwa (Kawempe Muslim), Nakanjako Immaculate (Uganda Martyrs), Naumi Nagadya (She Corporate), Hadija Nandago (Kawempe Muslim), Favor Nambatya (She Corporate) and Nabulobi Patience.
The Head Coach is Hamza Lutalo, in his first year in women football, he proved that he can rub shoulders with the seniors in women football, only lost the title on judgement day, which made him exceptional, and ISSA Yussuf Hassan, the league winner also deserves a mention though he was already in the women football fold.
Best XI 2021/22 Season
Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate)
Wujja Catherine (Rines SS)
Miriam Ibunyu (She Corporate)
Margret Namirimu (She Corporate)
Shakirah Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim)
Cissy Nantongo (She Corporate)
Namuleme Zainah (Kampala Queens)
Phionah Nabbumba (She Corporate)
Hasifah Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals)
Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC)
Grace Aluka (Olila High School)
Head Coach: Hamza Lutalo (Kampala Queens)
Assistant Coach: Issa Yusuf Hassan (She Corporate)
Mentions:
Prima Mugadde (Kampala Queens)
Aminah Nakato (She Corporate)
Naumi Nagadya (She Corporate)
Hadija Nandago (Kawempe Muslim)
Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim)
Favor Nambatya (She Corporate)
Nabulobi Patience (Uganda Martyrs)
Nadunga Biira (Olila High School).
Nakanjako Immaculate.