By Michael Ainomugisha
The UCU Lady Cardinals wish to announce the departure of our esteemed defender and former captain, Nankya Shadia, who has been an integral part of our team for the past five years.
Nankya joined the Lady Cardinals in 2019 from Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga and quickly became a cornerstone of our defence. Her leadership on and off the pitch, especially following the departure of former captain Hasifah Nassuna, has been invaluable to our team. Her contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary, and her impact on the club will be felt for years to come.
As Nankya prepares to embark on the next chapter of her career with Egyptian Women’s Premier League champions TUT FC, we want to express our deepest gratitude for her dedication and leadership. Nankya has embodied the spirit of the Lady Cardinals, and we are proud of all she has accomplished during her time with us.
In her own words, Nankya shared her mixed emotions about leaving:
“I’m delighted to let you know that I’ve found a new home. But on the other side, leaving a place that has been home for five years is really, so, so sad. I’ll be proud to tell everyone that being part of the UCU community has given me the best experiences in life.”
“I can’t thank you enough because you’ve pushed me even in the days whereby, I was on zero. I wish you the best too as you try to go through it without me.” She further added.
Mercy Nabulobi, CEO of UCU Lady Cardinals, also expressed her thoughts on Nankya’s departure: “The team will undoubtedly miss her services, and it’s sad to lose a player of her pedigree. However, we are thrilled that she has the opportunity to further her career and continue to grow as a player. We believe she will excel at even higher levels.”
The entire UCU community will always cherish the moments shared with Nankya and will continue to support her as she takes this exciting next step in her career.Thank you, Nankya, for five incredible years. You will always be a Lady Cardinal.