Shadia Nankya Makes History with Washington Spirit

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In a groundbreaking transfer for Ugandan women's football, Crested Cranes defender Shadia Nankya has officially joined Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top-tier women’s league in the United States.

A Historic Milestone

By signing a four-year contract, Nankya becomes the first Ugandan female footballer to compete in the NWSL, widely considered the strongest women’s football league in the world.

A Career on the Rise

The towering defender arrives at Washington Spirit after a standout spell at FC Masar in Egypt, where she played a key role in the club’s third-place finish during their debut campaign in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Her performances earned her a spot in the tournament’s Best XI alongside fellow Ugandan Aisha Nantongo.

Washington Spirit, founded in 2012, secured their first-ever NWSL title in 2021 and are currently managed by former Barcelona Women’s head coach Jonatan Giráldez.

Beyond football, Nankya’s move to the U.S. also presents opportunities for her to further her education.

A Journey of Determination

Nankya’s football career began in 2016 as a teenager with Uganda Martyrs Lubaga Women Football Club. She later broke into the Crested Cranes squad in 2018, featuring in both the CECAFA and COSAFA Championships, where Uganda claimed bronze medals.

In 2019, she moved to UCU Lady Cardinals, continuing to shine despite a knee injury in 2021 that sidelined her from Uganda’s CECAFA Women’s Championship and the 2022 WAFCON.

Remarkably, in her final season with Uganda Martyrs, Nankya emerged as the FUFA Women’s Cup top scorer with nine goals—an extraordinary feat for a defender.

Paving the Way for Ugandan Women’s Football

While several Ugandan female footballers, including Sandra Nabweteme, Sandra Nantumbwe, and Tracy Jones Akiror, have played in the U.S. at the collegiate level, Nankya’s move to Washington Spirit marks a historic breakthrough. She is the first Ugandan woman to compete in the NWSL, setting a new benchmark for Ugandan footballers aspiring to reach the world’s elite leagues.