Opinion: The Women Super League Title Contenders, Relegation Candidates as 2022/23 Season Commences
No change and its already confirmed, the 2022/23 season for FUFA Women’s Super League is set to kick off this Saturday with a champions encounter.
Makerere University WFC, the reigning champions of Elite League and the newbies of Super league will be hosting Super League defending champions, She Corporate FC at Makerere Playground on Saturday 17th September, 2022.
Not here for the preview of that match, but shining light of the season will end, who are the title contenders, relegation battlers and finally how the table is expected to stand after the final game of the season.
For starters, the Fufa Women’s Super league is in it’s fourth edition, but the first one of 2019/20 was cancelled due to global pandemic and the league comprises of ten clubs, among those two are newcomers in Makerere University and Asubo-Gafford Ladies.
Like he did in the previous seasons, Women football trusted journalist, Kayiira Jackson again returned to predict how the season will end and who is a potential winner.
The 2020/21 season I predicted Lady Doves to win and they did, last season, I gave Lady Doves to defend the title, Olila High School and She Maroons to be relegated but only Maroons was relegated and Doves failed to defend the title.
Basing on the last season’s performance, new season preparations and signings made by different clubs, will work much on how I expect them to end.
Kampala Queens FC
The team that came in existence in 2016, six years down the road have no any silverware, but every year, they have been coming closer to the podium, last season, they finished second behind champions, She Corporate, they only lost it by goal difference.
Like they were in close contest last season, Kampala Queens and She Corporate been the most sounding names in the transfer market.
The Soccer Queens almost signed the best of the last season league, those who will be important and less important to them. Currently they have completed the signing of seven players, the likes of Teddy Najjuma from UCU Lady Cardinals, Grace Aluka, Olila High School last season top scorer, Asia Nakibuuka from Kawempe Muslim, Sumaya Komuntale , left back from relegated Tooro Queens, the duo from Uganda Martyrs, goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro and Elizabeth Nakigozi and Namakula Gloria and rumors still have it that they are in talks with Hasifah Nassuna and Zalwango Sheebah.
On paper, Kampala Queens is a side to beat this season, is the only side current with at least two players per position who are equally good, they have one of the best tacticians in Hamza Lutalo who is in his second season in women football. Unless otherwise, Kampala Queens has all what it takes to win this season’s title and if they don’t win it, expect a serious reshuffle at the club.
However, being that they’re title favorites, the pressure coming with that, might affect them and how the new recruits will fit in the team is what we are waiting to see how Lutalo will manage it.
She Corporate FC
These are the defending champions, of course they are expected to compete and we all want to believe that their winning wasn’t a surprise attack.
They are fresh from CAF CECAFA champions league zonal qualifiers, finished as first runners up, the squad is still intact lost none of their influential players apart from the new recruit in Anitah Namata who has signed for Vihiga Queens.
Like I stated before, the Nakawa based side was the first to storm the market, they recruited eight new faces in ; experienced left back Banura Phoebe from UCU, Nakate Cissy, Jackie Nakasi, the trio from UCU, Joan Ainembabazi from Rines, Esther Naluyimba from Uganda Martyrs, Spencer Nakacwa from Lady Doves, and goalkeeper, Zahara Nankya on loan from Makerere University.
When they are still with the last season league MVP, in Phiona Nabbumba, The Sharks on paper remains the only side that can match Kampala Queens.
Lady Doves FC
The Coach Rajab Buyinza charges, went through a difficult times last season, they were in transition, most of their senior players left the club, the likes Daisy Nakaziro, Adrine Birungi, Christine Madam, mention them, but this season it seems they will be competing for the title, they made some promising signings, brought Resty Kobusobozi from relegated Tooro Queens, Florence Nazizi right full back from Kawempe Muslim, Irene Nantege from Isra Soccer Academy and Diana Nantongo from Rines, however, they lost their lethal forward in Fazila Ikwaput who left to Cyprus for greener pastures and Riticia Nabbosa is not in their season squad, it’s a big blow to them and goal scoring likely to be a big challenge for Masindi based side.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Kawempe is still a house hold name in women’s football, last season they finished seventh, lost the most games of the season in their history (7), they lost Florence Nazizi to Doves, Asia Nakibuuka to Kampala Queens, but they signed Jolly Kobusigye from Tooro Queens.
The Ayub Khalifa and Nkata Moses charges are youthful, been together now for two to three years, they have a lot to prove but they still have a challenge of scoring goals and conceding many and according to their signings, none is ready to solve the two challenges at the club.
However, they will still put a bigger challenge to those who think that they (Kawempe) is an old Lion.
UCU Lady Cardinals
Perfectly last season, the Mukono based side were title contenders but this season, they might fight for relegation, unless otherwise but the side can’t count itself on the title, they lost almost half of their last season starters, to She Corporate and other clubs, there is a great possibility that they will not be with their head coach in Christian Magoba, a club under younger coach in Ahumuza Collins, they are not sure whether they will stay with Hasifah Nassuna this season, it might be a challenging season for UCU. True, Moureen Kinavudori returned to the club but don’t expect her to give you what she used to, three seasons back.
Uganda Martyrs WFC
With their youthful side, Uganda Martyrs put up a strong challenge last season, actually they even reached a moment of believing that they can lift that title until they lost it in the last four games after losing Rogers Nkugwa as their head coach.
Yes they lost key players in Anitah Namata, Halima Kanyago who is on verge of joining UCU, Daisy Nakaziro, Winnie Nakanwagi, Esther Naluyimba but they still have players who can help them stay comfortably in the league.
However, squad depth will beat them in case of any injuries.
Asubo-Gafford Ladies FC
Gafford is a newcomer in the league, this club has been so silent in the market, they have inexperienced players basing on the last season’s squad, 70% of their players were new to the league football.
However, according to news, this website is getting, Asubo has signed over ten players to whom they believe will help them stay in the league and former Isra Soccer Academy tactician, Isaac Ogogo is on verge of joining them.
Its very true, this club is likely to suffer in at least five opening fixtures.
But they are likely to be very stubborn newcomer and I expect Gafford to be tough at home but teamwork should be the key point in their struggle of staying in the league.
Olila High School FC
This is one of the stubborn teams in the league, last season, they had Grace Aluka as their star, the defender turned a striker scored at least eight goals last season and they were vital for the side but unfortunately, she switched to Kampala Queens,even though they are stubborn, I expect them to struggle this season especially on road.
Makerere University WFC
This is the second time in three seasons, Makerere University are playing in topflight, their first attempt came in 2020/21 season though it was in a tournament format and in four games, they won none.
Though they came as Elite league champions, I expect them to struggle unless they became more serious. Otherwise thy might be like She Maroons who came as champions and later dropped back.
They have signings, like Winnie Nakamwagi but lost their custodian to She Corporate, and goalkeeping position is very serious when it comes to super league.
Rines SS WFC
Last season, they survived relegation on the final day but it will be hard for them not to go back to elite league, they lost their last season star player in Joan Ainembabazi to She Corporate, goalkeeper Elsie Najjemba still on injury recovery, Nantongo Diana left the club to Lady Doves, still have a goal scoring challenge, the financial issue might also be a blow to this club. If they are to survive this season, their tactician in Nyanzi Tadeo Bright, must be too bright more than his name to survive this season.
How I expect the league to end:
1. Kampala Queens FC
2. She Corporate FC
3. Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
4. Lady Doves FC
5. UCU Lady Cardinals
6. Uganda Martyrs
7. Asubo -Gafford Ladies FC
8. Olila High School WFC
9. Makerere University WFC
10. Rines SS WFC.