FUFA picks Ayieko as Crested Cranes interim coach

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Charles Ayieko is the interim coach for the senior women’s national football team, the Crested Cranes, for a one-month period.  According to a statement from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Ayieko will be supported by Eric Ndifuna and Olive Mbekeka as part of the technical team.

Other members of the technical team include Stephen Kigundu (Goalkeeping coach), Felix Ayobo (Fitness Trainer), Mable Kabatalindwa (Team Doctor), and Darlian Kyasiimire (Physiotherapist). This technical team will commence their work immediately with activities involving the Crested Cranes.

Charles Ayieko comes to the Crested Cranes with significant experience in women’s football. He previously guided She Corporate FC to a second-place finish in the CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifiers. He also had a stint with Tanzania’s Simba Queens and led them to the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

This appointment follows a decision by former Uganda Cranes acting head coach Abdallah Mubiru to decline the position of Assistant Coach for the Crested Cranes, which was announced a month earlier. Mubiru’s decision was reportedly influenced by concerns about the limited time available to prepare the team for important qualifiers and a preference for a leading role rather than an assistant position when the head coaching vacancy remained unfilled.

For almost eight months, the Crested Cranes had been without a head coach since the position was declared vacant by FUFA in March. During this interim period, Ayubu Khalifa, the head coach of the U-20 National team, temporarily assumed the responsibilities of Assistant Head Coach for the senior National team, the Crested Cranes.

Ayieko’s appointment comes just weeks before a crucial Olympic qualifier game against West African giants Cameroon. The Crested Cranes had previously eliminated Rwanda in July of this year in the first round of the qualifiers and now face Cameroon, which received a bye in that round.

*****

URN