By Novah Kibuuka
‘Cardinals’ players received silver medals accompanied by sh7m as prize money. Since then, many who care for local football- especially women soccer- have been wondering why Lady Doves and not the former champions won the League. But, many forgot that Lady Doves lost two finals in 2019; that is FUFA Women’s cup and The FUFA Elite league.
The Lady Doves’ win is the satiation of their sweet revenge against UCU in whose hand that suffered loss in 2018/19 finals, when the FUFA Women Elite League was still the top division. They lost 2-0 against UCU in the game, which was played on Sunday June 2, 2019, at the MTN Omondi stadium Lugogo: Goals from Hasifah Nassuuna and Maureen Kinavudoori were enough for UCU Lady Cardinals to become Champions.
The Masindi-based club also lost another final a week after losing to UCU. This time round it was FUFA Women cup. They lost to Makerere University Women football Club, which was also played at MTN Omondi Stadium on June 8th 2019. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Makerere and the goals were scored by Jemina Twesigye and Fatuma Nandawula.
Since then Lady Doves have been working tirelessly. The least they were seemingly willing to settle for was silverware. By this recently concluded tournament, they had parted ways with their gaffer by then Oliver Mbekeka, and had gotten more experienced players, namely; Leticia Nabbosa, Daisy Nakaziro, madam Christine and Fazila Ikwaput.
Fazila who was the 2017 footballer of the year while still at Olila high school has been the Most Valuable Player and top scorer of the FUFA Women Super League 2021, with 8 goals.
A quick timeline and notable facts:
Lady Doves were unbeaten in 2018/19 season before playing the final with UCU Lady Cardinals.
Lady Doves was the first team to play in the FUFA Women Elite league final in their debut season.
Lady Doves is now the first team to win FUFA Women Super league.
Lady Doves will represent Uganda in inaugural CAF Women Super League starting with zonal qualifiers which will run from July 1, to August 1, hosted in Kenya.
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Novah Kibuuka is a reporter and Radio presenter at 102.1 FUFA FM
