FUFA has on Wednesday confirmed that the top tier league of women’s football (FUFA Women Super League) will be played in tournament format.
This is different from the block league that was played last season before the breakout of Covid-19 that forced the 2019/20 campaign into premature conclusion.
FUFA Competitions Director, Hajjati Aisha Nalule indicated that the changes have largely been caused because of the prevailing circumstances.
“It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in such circumstances where many things haven’t returned to normal. So the forthcoming season will be played in a group format.” She confirmed.
There will be two groups each consisting of five teams and all games will be played at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
“We cannot afford to have games at your respective home grounds. Therefore FUFA decided that the games will be played in Njeru with one group at a time.” Nalule added.
The groups have been selected as follows
Group A
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Uganda Martyrs High School, Lubaga
Kampala Queens FC
She Makerere University
Tooro Queens FC
Group B
Uganda Christian University
Olila High School
Lady Doves
Isra Soccer Academy
She Corporate FC
According to Nalule, the top two teams from each group will progress to the playoffs (semifinals) to determine the Champions.
In addition, the bottom team in each group will be relegated to the FUFA Women Elite League.
Each team will be allowed 20 people in camp, 16 of whom must be players with a female official as a must.
Several club officials were against the changes with many indicating many of their players are school-going students.
Ahmed Lubulwa, the CEO Kawempe Muslim noted with concern that some of their players are preparing to sit for UACE exams (Senior Six students).
“Half of my team is in Senior six. We don’t want to get in a situation where players will miss their examinations. We don’t want to sell a bad image to parents who give us these players.”
Masembe Ronald, the Vice-Chairman of Uganda High Martyrs High School was furious with the format indicating they were never consulted.
“As clubs we are stakeholders. We don’t want to be in a situation of what is thrown at us, we must consume. We don’t know how the groups and teams came about?” He asked.
Decolas Kiiza, the FUFA CEO-Football called for solutions from the clubs rather than bashing the idea of a tournament.
“We first of all must learn that we are working under abnormal circumstances. If we wait for everything to normalise, then we shall not play. Unless, you are saying we don’t play this season and also withdraw teams from international engagements.” He said.
The league is expected to kick off on 11th April 2021 with the winner to represent Uganda in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.
