Nordsjaelland and Crested Cranes goalkeeper Vanessa Karungi has opened up about the frustration of missing international football while her teammates travel for national duty.
The 26-year-old has repeatedly expressed how much she misses playing for the Crested Cranes, who have gone more than a year without an international fixture.
“Starting to think that our national team, the 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 said.
Karungi’s frustration was evident in a recent post on X, where she jokingly wrote, “Ate ba’neighbour belisa nkuli,” using humor to underline her point.
She discussed the same topic during her appearance on NBS Sport This Morning on Wednesday.
“It’s a bitter reality, it’s painful to see your club teammates leave for the international break to play for their national teams while you don’t get the chance because there’s nothing prepared back home,” she said.
Since joining Nordsjaelland, Karungi has proudly told her teammates about her background.
“When I joined Nordsjaelland, I told everyone I come from Uganda and that I am a national team player, playing for the senior female national football team, the Crested Cranes. A lot of them always leave for national duty, and they wonder why I am not going. They will be leaving again soon, and hopefully, I will also be going this time.”
The Crested Cranes last convened for the WAFCON qualifiers in February 2025, when they lost to Ethiopia. Karungi, who has dealt with injuries including an ACL tear, feels for her teammates who have remained active.
Karungi has been based in Denmark for four years, working her way up through hard work and determination, a journey she describes as “never straight but achievable with passion and persistence.”
She reflected on her early career in Uganda, moving through Kyebambe Girls, St. Mary’s SS Kitende, Kampala Junior Team, Olila, Mukono High School, Kakungulu, and She Corporate. Growing up in a sporting family, she drew inspiration from her cousins and recalled her father following former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.
Even as a developing athlete, Karungi sought opportunities wherever they arose, representing Olila High School while studying at Mukono High School.
With the April international window approaching, there is still no indication that the Crested Cranes will be in action, leaving Karungi and her teammates in a prolonged period of inactivity.
