Vihiga Queens defensive midfielder Joan Nabirye missed on the Fan’s Favorite Ugandan foreign-based player in this year’s Airtel FUFA Awards that took place over the weekend, losing to Israel-based Fahad Bayo.The midfielder has been nominated alongside two other Ugandan internationals plying their trade in top clubs across the continent apart from Bayo, including Mamelodi Sundowns and retired Uganda Cranes custodian Denis Onyango and Simba’s Taddeo Lwanga.The first Award of the evening.Airtel FUFA Fans Favorite Ugandan Player Fahad Bayo (Ashdod FC ) pic.twitter.com/vFIvcjLBfy— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 4, 2021 Nabirye was very instrumental for Vihiga Queens in their run to the inaugural CAF Women Champions League, featuring prominently in the CECAFA regional qualifiers and playing in all the three matches at the main even as Queens were eliminated from the competition in their last group stage game against Rivers Angels of Nigeria.Following her heroics with Vihiga Queens, Nabirye earned a call up to Uganda’s Crested Cranes squad for the COSAFA Championship and was subsequently chosen for the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia where they emerged overall winners and will face off with Kenya’s Harambee Starlets in the last qualifying stage in February next year.Congrats @BayoFahad,the Fans favorite foreign based player.It was an honor and motivation to be recognized against top male Footballers.@taddeolwanga @OyangodennisAm thankful to everyone who voted for me & @OfficialFUFA @Airtel_Ug for rewarding athlete’s.The hardwork continues pic.twitter.com/AzIEvQiq1Y— NABIRYE JOAN🇺🇬🇰🇪 (@NABIRYEJOAN4) December 5, 2021 At the COSAFA Championship, she managed to score her maiden goal with the side, netting the first goal of the match in their 5-1 rout over Eswatini in their second Group C match.The winner of the award, 23-year-old Bayo had a spectacular 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring three goals against Kenya, and against Rwanda in both legs in the four appearances that he made.
