USSSA Girls’ Football Qualifiers: Hadija Nandago Exceptional as Kawempe Muslim Defends Kampala Region Title

Last updated Mar 30, 2022

Hadija Nandago, arguably the best number ten in under age Women’s football in Uganda continued to prove that she is an exceptional player when she scored a beauty against Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga on final of USSSA Girls’Football qualifiers held today at Old Kampala SS playground.

The only goal she scored only six minutes into first stanza stood as a winner as Kawempe Muslim SS defend the title they won in 2019 before COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Nandago pressed the ball in the too corner that left Martyrs’ custodian, Sharon Kaidu helpless, thanks to Rebecca Nakato technical assist.

To reach final, Kawempe Muslim SS beat rivals Gadaffi Intergrated Academy 2-0 at semifinal with Shakira Nyinagahirwa brace while Uganda Martyrs eliminated Rubaga Girls by 3-0 victory, thanks to Brenda Munyana, Latifah Nakasi and Shamusa Najjuma goals.

“Martyrs is a strong team, we all have players on national team, it means they know each other well, but luckily enough we got a goal very early and the performance of my goalkeeper, the penalty she saved made us good, never know if it was converted, it would be another story.” Said Coach Moses Nkata.

Nkata revealed that he has a good team that he believes can also defend the nationals set to held next month in Gulu.

“I believe I have a good team that can out a good challenge, so far we have defended two trophies, the Elite and now Kampala Region, so I have trust in my team that it can also win the Nationals.

The good thing, now I have depth in squad, at least the one on bench can give you the same quality of football like the one on pitch, so that also motivates me.”

Kampala Region to be represented by the four teams that made it to semifinals and the best loser from the group stages, that’s; Kawempe Muslim SS, Rubaga Girls, Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga, Gadafi Intergrated Academy and Gold Star School.

Uganda Martyrs start list:

Kaidu Sharon (GK), Nanyonjo Sharon, Esther Namusoke, Patience Nabulobi, Rebecca Nandhego, Immaculate Nakanjjako, Kevin Nakacwa, Sumaiyah Nalumu, Brenda Munyana, Catherine Nagadya, Latifah Nakasi.

Kawempe Muslim SS start list:

Diana Ruth Natukunda (GK), Suzan Nalukoda, Ritah Musimire, Nakato Rebecca, Namutebi Kruthum, Samalie Nakacwa ©, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shakira Nankwanga, Hadija Nandago, Allen Nassazi, Sharifah Nakimera.