In the recently concluded 2023/24 FUFA Women Elite League (FWEL) season, Dorcus Lwalisa was voted MVP as she helped Olila HS WFC bounce back to the top division – the FUFA Women Super League (FWSL).
A number of FWSL teams came seeking for the versatile winger’s signature, but she just paid a deaf ear, and instead chose an offer, that, according to her was the most appropriate.
“I settled for a plan that guaranteed facilitation for my tertiary education,” the player revealed in an exclusive interview with this website.
“I’ve been through high school while here, and the club is still willing to cater for my tuition fees,” Lwalisa further explained, backing her decision to stay in Soroti, where she has been for the past four years.
Lwalisa just enrolled for a Bachelor of Bussiness Administration programme at Kyambogo University, Soroti branch, facilitated by her former secondary school bosses.
The player’s decision demonstrates that as much important as it is to chase opportunities, or cease them whenever they come around, it’s even more important to consider the conditions involved.
The Uganda National Women Football Team player has a rare football talent, and her passion for the game can’t be doubted, that’s just one of the many reasons why she was crowned as the best performer in the FWEL last season.
“I love this game with all my heart, it has taken me to places I never thought I’d reach,” the Crested Cranes utility player expressed.
“I was exposed to the game at a very young age, by my elder brother, Kenneth Wangalwa, who didn’t get the chance to play competitively for any club.”
Lwalisa’s Plan: Football + Education = More Opportunities
Lwalisa has got her priorities straight – the girl from Nyondo village in Mbale district looks at life in a wider frame, and has some big plans for the near future; She strives to excel on and off pitch!
“I just want to make my mom proud. I’ve been raised by a strong mother, who has always urged me to keep striving until I’m relevant – she always reminds me to prepare for whatever might come the next day.”
“My mom should be happy with my little progress so far, but only if I can also attain a certain level of academic success, I know she would be even much more happier.”
“I think, education, at the moment is very important. Maybe I’m not earning a salary now, but with time I’ll be earning, if I can complete my course and become a career professional, even outside football.
Secure The Future…
Lwalisa just wants to create as many opportunities as she possibly can for herself in the near future. The footballer is now already a certified coach, after successfully completing a FUFA-organised CAF D Coaching Course back in July.
Upon completion of the course, Lwalisa is now equipped with more football knowledge that can help her easily understand and improve other aspects of the game to ease her stay and transition in the National Team set up.
That’s just how flexible Lwalisa is, in life, as she also is on the football field – her versatility is unmatched! The left-footed winger can play effectively on either flank of the field, or as a centre forward, while she can also smoothly operate as a leftback.
‘Olila Made Me‘
Lwalisa’s lovestory with Olila dates back to 2019, when she moved to Soroti as a senior three student then.
There, she met coach Saddam ‘Cifu’ Pande, who she stills commends for polishing her raw talent, for her to become the better player she is today.
“I have come from far with Olila,” the player said as she recounted the five years she has spent at the club.
“I started secondary education in Mukono, and later left to Nyondo SS, before I was connected to Olila, and everything, like they say is history, so here I am today.”
Balancing Between Classroom And The Pitch
On how she has so far managed to strike a balance between life in class and on the football pitch, Lwalisa insists it’s all easy with a proper plan;
“It’s not hard really, having to train and also attend class, because in most cases, it’s not at exactly the same time.”
“Like, in (high) school, We used to first attend classes, and then train in the evening (after classes).”
“You can leave class at 4:00PM, train for two hours, then run back to the dormitories to freshen up, and yet just in time for evening preps.”
It all looks hectic, but Lwalisa, like other school-attending female footballers somehow made it, and she even looks forward to continue doing the same at University.
