After a five-year hiatus, striker Laki Otandeka is finally back to the Crested Cranes (Uganda women’s national football team) fold ahead of the COSAFA Women’s Championship slated for 28th September -9th October 2021 in South Africa.
The forward last featured for the Crested Cranes in 2016 at the CECAFA Women’s Championship that was hosted at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
Otandeka is part of the 32 players who were summoned for the South Africa meet with the team currently camped at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, a development she delights in.
“I feel really great and I’m glad that I got a call up to play for the National Team. It is always a privilege to be here playing for the country and I just hope that I will have a positive impact on the team,” Otandeka told fufa.co.ug
This will be the second time that Uganda plays at the COSAFA Women’s Champions with the maiden appearance coming in 2018 and the Crested Cranes settled for third place.
Uganda will once again feature in the Championship as a guest team.
The tournament will be used as a precursor for the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) Qualifiers due next month. Uganda will face Ethiopia at the first round phase.
Crested Cranes players in camp
Goalkeepers
Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Elsie Najjemba (Rines WFC), Gloria Namakula (Tooro Queens FC)
Defenders
Viola Namuddu (Makerere University WFC), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Eunice Ariokot (Olila High School WFC), Bridget Nabisaalu (She Corporate FC), Phoebe Banura (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Yudayah Nakayenze (Lindey Wilson College, USA), Justin Kizza Najjuko (She Maroons FC), Asia Nakibuuka (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Midfielders
Joan Naggayi (She Maroons FC), Rhoda Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Kautharah Naluyima (She Maroons FC), Sheebah Zalwango (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC), Phiona Nabbumba (She Corporate FC), Grace Nassongo (Amuria High School FC), Amina Nababi (Makerere University WFC), Resty Kobusobozi (Tooro Queens FC), Anita Namata (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)
Forwards
Hasifa Nassuna (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Sharon Nadunga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC), Sandra Nabweteme (Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, Iceland), Laki Otandeka (New Jersey Copa FC, USA)