Phiona Nabulime Joins Elite Ugandan Footballers in CAF Women’s Champions League
Phiona Nabulime, a key player for the Crested Cranes, is set to make her mark in the CAF Women’s Champions League as part of Egyptian side Masar. Her participation in the tournament marks a significant milestone in her career and places her among an exclusive group of only three other Ugandan footballers who have competed in the competition.
Nabulime joined Masar last year after leading Kawempe Muslim to victory in the Fufa Women Super League. Her leadership and versatility on the field, where she can play both in midfield and defense, make her a vital asset for the team as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.
The CAF Women’s Champions League, scheduled from November 8 to 21 in Ismailia, will see Masar host matches in Group A. The team faces a challenging group that includes debutants 15 de Agosto from Equatorial Guinea and USFAS Bamako from Mali, along with As Far from Morocco, who are the 2022 champions and 2024 runners-up.
Nabulime joins a legacy of Ugandan players who have made their mark in the competition. In the inaugural season of the tournament in 2021, Joan Nabirye represented Kenya’s Vihiga Queens in the group stages. Aisha Nantongo, Nabulime’s former teammate and predecessor as captain of Kawempe Muslim, along with Shadia Nabirye, achieved bronze for Masar in their debut season and even earned a spot in the team of the tournament.
Nabulime is now aiming to follow in the footsteps of these trailblazers, with the goal of achieving even greater success for Masar this year. Her experience and skill could be crucial in helping the team navigate the tough competition and reach the semifinals.
Key Fixtures for Masar in the Group Stages
Masar’s schedule in the group stages is as follows:
- November 8: vs. AS Far (Morocco)
- November 11: vs. 15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea)
- November 15: vs. USFAS Bamako (Mali)
The top two teams from Group A will advance to the semifinals, where they will face the best sides from Group B. Group B features strong contenders such as DRC’s TP Mazembe, who are also defending champions, ASEC Mimosa from Ivory Coast, Botswana’s Gaborone United, and JKT Queens from Tanzania, representing the Cecafa region.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Masar and their chances of making a deep run. With Nabulime’s leadership and the team’s determination, there is hope that they can achieve great things in the CAF Women’s Champions League.