Uganda Crested Cranes head coach Majidah Nantanda has heaped special praise onto the retiring captain Christine ‘Chris’ Wanyana.
Wanyana, in her early 30’s officially announced her retirement from national team service on Tuesday, 13th June 2017 to concentrate on her coaching tasks.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, Nantanda appreciated the great role offered by Wanyana over the years.
Chris (Christine Wanyana) has been a typical case study of women football in Uganda.
She has been a humble player, disciplined, a leader and one willing to share knowledge and skills.
Nantanda handed over the national team captaincy role to the lanky central defender in 2007 before the former officially took over the national team as head coach.
“When I first approached Chris, I realized she is not a selfish player. She has been one special player with confidence, a counselor and a player who associated with all age groups. We shall take time surely to get a player of her stature,” Nantanda added.
Wanyana has served the national team for close to 12 years.
She had a semiprofessional stint with Rwandese top women side APR and played a significant role in the evolution of women football in Uganda.
She played over 16 matches for the national teams (both U-20 and the senior women team).
At the moment, Wanyana, who is a CAF ‘A’ licensed coach is head coach at men corporate side Toyota Football team and Kibuli Women Football Club.
She is also a coaching tutor at the fast sprouting female football programme “Growing the game for girls”.
Nantanda hints of a decent send off from the beautiful game as a player for the female star.
Actually, last year Wanyana wanted to retire.
I asked her to serve us with just one more year since we had the CECAFA Women Championship.
After the CECAFA (won by Tanzania), she jokingly asked – what more do you do?
We shall miss her composure for real. That means her retirement was a planned move.
We are planning a very good testimonial match before the close of the year.
Wanyana is a proud mother of one child who preached self-belief among women sporting personalities.
