The Uganda U-17 Women team face an uphill task to try and overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Tanzania U-17 when the two sides meet in the second leg at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo on Saturday, March 14.
Uganda needs to win by two or more goals in the return leg to ensure qualification to the playoff round of the 2020 U-17 Women World Cup scheduled for November 2-21 in India.
How they go about trying to chase down the game while also ensuring they do not lose further ground against their rivals remains daunting, but head coach Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi has set about finding the right mix in the team’s play to ensure they have total dominance.
With ‘time and space’ forming the backbone of the modern game, Khalifa not wanting to give away too much information though hinted about what will be the best approach from his team to ensure they get the best out of the game.
Speaking after the team’s training session at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru, Khalifah revealed that they have set about trying to have speed in transitions especially with and without the ball, as they look to attack and defend with speed and precision on Saturday.
“Our training sessions are so far going on well, we are working on speed, especially with or without the ball. We want to attack and defend with speed and precision on game day,” Khalifa asserted to media before he added.
“The performance was ok, the way they are executing their roles, it’s breathtaking and very promising as well.”
Since football is a teamwork sport, Khalifa is also interested in how the team operates as a unit and it’s intensity levels.
“We’re also looking at the speed of the team, then individuals, how we transit from defense to attack, and that been our area of concentration recently,” he continued.
While their preparations for the first leg were distorted by a couple of injuries, Khalifah recently confirmed that all the players who were injured have since returned and are ready to play.
Squad in Camp
Goalkeepers: Daphine Nyayenga, Zulaika Nyamita, Joan Namusisi.
Defenders: Gillian Akadinda, Gloria Namugerwa, Stella Musibika, Patricia Akiror, Sumayah Komuntale, Samalie Nakacwa, Bira Nadunga, Grace Aluka.
Midfielders: Kevin Nakacwa, Moureen Nangonzi, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Shamillah Nalugya, Nagayi Eva, Kyomuhendo Sumayah, Zaina Nandede, Hadijah Nandago
Forwards: Margret Kunihira, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauziah Najjemba, Munyana Brenda, Catherine Nagadya, Nakasi Latifah
