Crested Cranes goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi has spoken out about the prolonged absence of the Uganda Senior Women’s National Football Team from international friendly matches, raising concerns over the team’s inactivity.
Karungi, who plays for Danish side FC Nordsjælland, shared her concerns in a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, where she described the team’s absence from international action as a “long vacation.”
“Starting to think that our national team ‘Crested Cranes’ is on a long vacation. It’s been a while, maybe more than a year, with no international games. I believe all the players are ready and just waiting for that call-up,” she wrote.
The Crested Cranes last featured in an international friendly match in November 2024 against Algeria. Since then, the team has not played any matches during subsequent FIFA international windows, a situation that has raised concern among fans, players, and other stakeholders in Ugandan football.
Head coach Sheryl Botes has yet to lead the team in any fixtures during recent international breaks, even as other nations continue to remain active on the global stage.
For instance, South Africa’s women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, has already confirmed two friendly matches in April, as well as two additional games in June against Japan in Osaka, as part of their preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for July.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has remained silent regarding the Crested Cranes’ plans.
There have also been reports suggesting that Uganda was scheduled to face Egypt in a friendly match, but no official communication has been made explaining why the fixture did not materialize or whether the team will participate in the upcoming April international window.
According to the FIFA international match calendar, four international windows remain this year across all confederations.
From April 7 to 18, teams are permitted to play a maximum of three matches. The June window, from June 1 to 9, allows up to two matches, while the October 5 to 13 window also permits a maximum of two games. The final window, which runs from late November to December 5, allows up to three matches.
International friendlies play a crucial role in improving FIFA rankings, providing player exposure, facilitating potential transfer opportunities,
