Hasifa Nassuna, 18, is one of those rare tens of thousands women footballers that thrive on the globe.
Her extremely shy persona off the soccer turf is amassly compensated by the agility, awesome dribbling skills and the eye for the back of the net.
The senior five Kawempe Muslim student boldly asserts she drew the urge, courage and passion to play the beautiful game from her mother, Annet Nakimbugwe.
When I was young, I would go to the training sessions and watch mum play. I would even go and watch their matches. That is how I developed interest in the game. She (mother) bought me my first playing boots and encouraged me to play also
Nassuna says of her mother.
Nakimbugwe, 38, is a former Uganda Women National Team (The She Cranes) and still an active player with Buikwe She Red Stars in the FUFA Women Elite league.
In fact, the two (mother and daughter) faced off in the league (home and away), two matches that drew mammoth crowds and sought global attention including the world’s football governing body, FIFA.
At first, I was timid to play on the opposite side with my mother. But, I developed courage, believed in my self and we won both games
She recalls.
Nassuna was born a winner to the late Abasi Mukiibi and Annet Nakimbugwe on 28th September 1997.
In fact, it is easily recognizable that her heart has a decimated cell that habours special codes for a winning mentality.
Her medals and trophies cabinet is as crowded as sand by the shores of the sea.
She is four time winner of the women’s day independence cup having clinched the overall trophy with Kawempe Muslim in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She has won the Norway Women’s Cup (U-18) on one occasion (2011), the National Schools’ trophy two times and the East African Women Football Title once.
I love to be on the winning side. I work hard with my teammates for success so that we all celebrate after victory
Nassuna, with a typical winner’s confidence adds.
To this end, Nassuna dreams of Kawempe Muslim winning the first ever Women Elite League on the African continent.
I want to make history to be part of the winning team of the first FUFA Elite Women’s League. After my S.6, I look to turning professional in Europe
Nassuna, who admires Barcelona and Spainsh star, Leone Messi boldly outlines her aspirations.
Besides women football, Nassuna also plays handball at Kawempe Muslim S.S. She was part of the team squad for the Uganda Muslim Solidarity Games (UMEA) that were held at Kasawo S.S in March 2015.
Nassuna and millions of other women in the world have trod the great path of religiously adhering to sports and surely the sky remains the limit.
Hasifa Nassuna’s Profile:
Full Names: Hasifa Nassuna
Date of Birth: 28th September 1997
Parents: Abasi Mukiibi (Deceased) and Annet Nakimbugwe
- Education: St Michael Primary School, Mityana (P.1-P.4), Nsumba Primary School (P.5-P.7), Kawempe Muslim Secondary School (S.1 – Todate (S.5))
- Subject Combination: History, Economics, Luganda/Sub Mathematics (HEL/Sub Maths)
- Role Models: Her Mother and Leone Messi
- Achievements: Winner, Uganda Independence Day Cup (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Winner Norway Cup (2011), Winner National Post Primary Women Football Title (2011, 2013 & 2014)
