FWSL: She Coperates, Kampala Queens ‘Dogfight
By: Uwizera Plan
It is where it all started and it is where it all ended. Who remembers those moments just a few months back?
On 6th February 2022, She Corporates opened their 2021-2022 FUFA Women Super League (FWSL) campaign by beating Uganda Martyrs 2-0, and 20th May 2022 was the day when history was written for the Nakawa-based side (She Corporates) after obtaining the vital point against Kampala Queens in Nakawa, which they needed to seal the trophy.
Ladies and gentlemen, MUBS playground is the same venue to be on Sunday (25/09/22) afternoon, as the current women football giant clubs in the country, She Corporates and Kampala Queens, lock horns yet again.
It is the day for either She Corporates to prove that the Kabojja-based Kampala Queens are ‘young kids’ in Uganda’s women football or accept that the ‘Palace Queens’ (Kampala Queens) might be taking the league honors from them.
In terms of performance as we enter Matchday Two, the She Corporates were shocked by the new ‘babies’, She Makerere in a 1-1 draw at Makerere University playground, while Kampala Queens smashed Gafford Ladies 5-0 on Matchday One.
The two (2) point gap between the two heavyweights might look so simple and small, but might end up deciding the next FWSL champion for the 2022-2023 season.
In terms of transfers, Kampala Queens have more than five new signings, that is, Hasifa Nassuna, Gloria Namakula, Jamira Nabulime, Teddy Najjuma, among others, and all these are being brought in for the team to win the trophy and engrave their names in the history books.
She Corporates were also active in terms of signings, as the side brought in Anita Namata, Banura Pheoba, and Naluyimba Esther to strengthen their squard and defend the league title, but question is, will these players create an impact on the team?
Many would certainly hope so, because players like Anita Namata, Joan Ainembabazi and Banura Pheoba had outstanding performances in the recently concluded CECAFA Zonal Qualifers.
These questions will be answered shortly, but the new players will hope to build on from the experience they obtained from Tanzania to increase the team’s chances of defending the trophy.
The quality and weight of this game has, however, been overshadowed by the hectic kickoff times, as FUFA tries to give the league more airtime on their new but rapidly growing TV.
And what awaits the girls is a lunchtime kickoff, amidst sweltering hot conditions at the MUBS playground in Nakawa.
She Corporates head coach, Hassan Issa, has all his sights set on the game on Sunday.
“We go into Sunday’s game ready to compete and secure our first win of the season. We couldn’t get three (3) points against She MAK, but we have worked on the mistakes in the last days and all we need on Sunday is three points,” said Hassan Issa.
He (Issa) remains aware of the threat Kampala Queens will pose against his side, as all teams are now targeting to dethrone the defending champions.
“The target is to retain our crown and that definitely comes with pressure because the rest of the nine teams are looking at us, but we know how to handle that and our focus is to take a game at a time,” Issa added.
Phionah Nabumba, a player who has played a vital part in She Corporates rise to victories and triumph, coupled with stellar performances at continental level, has set sights on a win on Sunday despite starting the league with a draw.
“We failed to pick three (3) points in our first game because of a number of factors, including the unplayable ground, but we are not here to make excuses. That is behind us, the coaches have tried to make improvements and all we want on Sunday is to win,” said Nabumba.
Kampala Queens haven’t had the very best of performances against She Corporates, as they failed to win a single game last season, hence losing the trophy to just goal difference of one (+1).
They (Kampala Queens) look more of a well prepared team with a lot of more experienced additions to their side, as they have set all their targets on winning the tittle, as their captain, Namuleme, narrates.
“We lost the league last season on the final day, and we don’t want to falter at the beginning. We want to pick up points at the start, and winning our first game with a big margin gives us confidence ahead of the next games,” said Namuleme.
A positive start in the league looks a much needed boosting factor as they (Kampala Queens) head into the second game after a mammoth win against Asubo Gafford in their opening fixture.
Kampala Queens Assistant head coach, Alimiah Kato, has vowed that the team will go all out, as they look set to take on the defending champions.
“We respect She Corporate because they are the reigning champions, but we don’t fear them. We shall go all out on Sunday to fight for the three points,” Coach Kato said.
“We did recruitment in areas we felt needed bolstering. We don’t look at ourselves as money bags, but rather a team with good players that are capable of delivering our target of winning the league this season,” Coach Alimiah Kato added.
Kampala Queens, funded by FUFA Boss, Mr Moses Magogo, have showed in the transfer window that they are ready to do whatever it takes to win the title, as they also target continental success, with Sunday providing them with a huge opportunity to test their guns.
_Stats and Head to Head:_
Kampala Queens are yet to pick up a single win in the last four encounters against She Corporates.
2022:
She Corporates 0-0 Kampala Queens.
Kampala Queens 2-2 She Corporates.
2021:
Kampala Queens 0-4 She Corporates.
She Corporates 2-1 Kampala Queens.