20th May 2022 is a day that will always recollect in Ronah Regina Nantege’s mind. The emotions of the day that left the forward in tears and fear of an end to her football career are still fresh as if it all happened yesterday.
On the day when her club She Corporate went down the history books, claiming their first FUFA Women Super League title, Nantege who had played a crucial role in the season could not be part of the jubilations, having been rushed to hospital after twisting her ankle midway through the first half in the title decider against Kampala Queens. The Sharks would eventually hold on and the goalless score meant they won the title on goal difference.
Nantege has the anamnesis closer to her heart and mind and is visibly emotional about the horrific incident even after recovering.
“It didn’t feel too bad, it just felt as if I had twisted my ankle. But I went down and all of a sudden I could not get back to my feet. I eventually felt the pain and the next thing I knew, I was on a hospital bed,” she reminisces.
The title goes to the wire
She Corporate had led the table for the larger part of the season but dropped a few points towards the end, giving Kampala Queens a chance in the title race.
Coincidentally, the two teams were facing off on the final day of the 2021/22 season. The hype and build-up to the game made it a make-or-break affair for either side and it is without a shade of doubt the most attended domestic Women Football League game in the country. As early as 2PM, MUBS Arena was full to capacity with the majority of the spectators new to the game and had only come to witness the grand season finale that pitted the best two teams of the season.
Fast forward to the agonising moment. Goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga plays a long pass from a goal kick to find Nantege in the 27th minute. Her first touch is not good and attempts to take control of the ball away from Shamirah Nalugya whose shove in the back makes her lose balance. She steps on top of the ball and twists her left ankle.
From onset, Nantege seemed fine and attempted to get back to her feet. It is at this moment that she realized something unusual.
“I wanted to get back and mark the immediate opponent because it was their (Kampala Queens) throw-in but in a flash, I felt a strain of pain in my entire body. I realized my leg had turned and started crying. This was the start of a tough period that saw me stay in hospital for more than a month,” she recollects.
“The fear I had was not being able to play football again but I thank the doctors at St. Catherine who provided both the medication and mental support. I received a lot of support from my team, family and the entire football fraternity and this helped me to go through that dark period.”
Nantege narrates that watching her teammates playing in the CAF Women’s Champions League was heart-rendering.
“I was happy that my team played at that level for the first time and reached the final. But at the same time, I felt sad because I wanted to be part of that history.”
After recovering fully, Nantege returned to action on Sunday, 5th February 2023 as She Corporate won 3-0 against Makerere University WFC.
The winger replaced Joanita Ainembabazi who bagged a brace on the day and could not hide her delight after the game.
“It was emotional for me to get back. Playing my first competitive game in such a long time was satisfying and I’m hopeful I will get back to my very best in a short period.”
At the time of her return, She Corporate who had a poor run in the first stanza are currently fifth on the table, 15 points behind Leaders Kampala Queens.