Over the years, women football in Uganda continues to take a remarkable stride on sporting interface in the country.
From the time the game was played for leisure to the present competitive state, a lot has gone under the drain.
Inevitably, the game’s steady fast progress has witnessed tranquility in the top flight national league (FUFA Women Elite League), FA cup (FUFA Women Cup), feeder leagues (in Kampala and Buganda), schools’ events, the national team and the other competitions as well.
No question, the game has produced its own stars in coaching, administration, management and the playing staff.
Three-time FUFA Women Elite League winner, Favour Danielita Nambatya, featuring for Kawempe Muslim Secondary School is among the noticeable promising female players in the country.
Born in Mulago Hospital, Kampala 17 years ago to Peruth Onuonga and retired footballer Mathias Ssonko, Nambatya boldly made the decision to follow in the foot marks of the father.
Baptized flamboyant by her teammates, Nambatya mastered the art of close ball control, heading, dribbling, passing and shooting to perfection.
Jolly on and off the field of play, the lanky footballer confesses, she would never be the player she is today without the full support of the parents and other family members.
In particular, she singles out the elder sister, Precious Najjemba, a footballer too with Mutesa I Royal University.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, Nambatya testifies;
I am the player I am today because of the support of my family.
My father is a former footballer who encouraged me to train.
The mother too has been assisting whenever I needed help and my elder sister Najjemba motivated me to continue training.
Nambatya started playing football at the tender age of 7 while in P.3 at By Pass Standard Academy in Kyebando.
The third born child in the family of 6 states;
My big sister was the first to play football.
So, she encouraged me too while in primary three at By Pass Standard Academy.
I continued until when I joined Old Mulago Primary school and throughout my secondary education up to now.
I have no regrets whatsoever having played football, a game many girls and women perceive to be one for boys only
Throughout the course of her life, Nambatya has lived to cherish the game as it provided for her a rich platform to get education bursaries in all the schools attended.
“From primary school to my A-level, playing football has been the reason why I was awarded bursaries and I thank God for the talent,” the striker says.
Early days:
Like most sportsmen across the divide, Nambatya kick started her football journey on a humble beginning.
Usually bare footed, she would turn up for training at All Stars Sports Academy under coach Muyitale.
She was then spotted to join Old Mulago where she completed her Primary Leaving Examinations before crossing over to Masaka S.S up to senior three.
In S.4, she joined the famous football giant school St Mary’s Kitende before switching allegiance to the self-confessed women football power house Kawempe Muslim S.S.
She has been part of the all-conquering Kawempe Muslim side scoring 27 league goals in the three seasons.
“When I get to the field of play, I play for the team. It is this team work that has got Kawempe where we are. Scoring goals is a bonus to me but beneficial to the entire team. We are one happy family at Kawempe Muslim,” Nambatya attests to the secret of the winning culture at Kawempe.
In 2015, she managed 6 goals in the league. The last two seasons have witnessed a drastic rise in the personal goals on her account with 8 and 13 goals in 2015/16 and 20176/17 seasons respectively.
National duty:
During the CAF U-20 women qualifiers, Nambatya was among the pool of players summoned for national duty against South Sudan.
The Uganda team humiliated their counterparts 22-0 on aggregate but was unfortunately unable to play at the next round of the qualifiers against Egypt due to financial constraints.
Nambatya habours the dream of playing for the senior national team, the Uganda Crested Cranes one day.
“Day and night, I keep working hard to play for the national team one day. I will not rest until I achieve that dream and also play professionally,” she adds.
Appreciation
Throughout the course of the interview, she chorused special praise to the coaches who have handled her in her brief though glittering career.
From coach Muyitale, Abdul Ssekamanya of Saved to Serve, Jimmy Kiseeka (Masaka S.S) and lately Kawempe Muslim’s Moses Nkata and Ayub Khalifani, the player sends a big shout out.
You cannot forget where you came from.
That is the reason, all those coaches mean a lot to me. I also wish to thank pastor Fred Mugisha, my big sister and manager Evelyn Nakiganda for the incredible services and love towards me
Nambatya aspires to play the beautiful game for a long time and with success more so like the established superstars in the game like Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Marta Vieira da Silva and Alex Morgan.
Profile:
- Full Names: Favour Danielita Nambatya
- Nickname: Flamboyant
- Date of Birth: 25th November 2000
- Parents: Peruth Onuonga and Mathias Ssonko
- Residence: Kyebando
- Place of Birth: Mulago Hospital, Kampala
- Inspiration: Father, Mother and sister (Precious Najjemba)
- Education: By Pass Standard Academy, Kyebando & Old Mulago (Primary), Masaka S.S (S.1-S3), St Mary’s Kitende (O-Level), Kawempe Muslim (A-Level)
- Honours: Champion, FUFA Women Elite league (2015, 2015/16, 2016/17), Champion – Independence Cup (2014, 2015, 2016)
- Strong Attributes: Ball control, passing, dribbling and heading
- Weak point: Shooting
- Role Models: Alex Morgan, Marta and Cristiano Ronaldo
- Hobbies: Watching Basketball
- Most Exciting match: Semifinal between Kawempe Muslim S.S and Gadafi Intergrated in national schools’ championship (Game ended 1-0 with Nambatya who was sick on the day scoring the lone goal)
- Best Goal scored: Scored against Kampala Queens (4-0) in FUFA Women Elite league
- Toughest defence faced: Olila High school