Author: Ahmed Marsha

Uganda women’s national team head coach Sheryl Botes has praised her players despite losing to Kenya.

In a CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship match played on Wednesday evening at the Azam Complex, the Crested Cranes were beaten 4–0. However, Coach Botes said her players gave their all but were outmatched by the Kenyans both physically and tactically.

‘We had four chances in the first half that could have made things more difficult for Kenya, but after conceding the first two goals, the girls lost confidence. The Kenyans were physically stronger and taller than our girls, which is why they resorted to long balls, something that wasn’t part of our game plan.’

This was Uganda’s third game of the tournament, with one remaining fixture against hosts Tanzania. Coach Botes noted that her players would need to regain their confidence ahead of the final group match.

‘I have seen Tanzania today, they have some tall players, so we will need to keep the ball on the ground to avoid competing for aerial balls.’

The Uganda women’s national team (Crested Cranes) will be back in action tomorrow against Kenya’s Harambee Scarlets in their third game of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship taking place in Tanzania.

The match will kick off at 7:00pm at the Azam Complex, and the Crested Cranes will be riding on the momentum of their previous 5–0 win against South Sudan.

The team held their final training session this morning at KMC Complex. Afterwards, head coach Sheryl Botes acknowledged Kenya’s strength, saying that while Kenya has a good team determined to win, she still believes in her players.

‘I watched their game against Burundi and I could see the maturity in the team, the strength on the wings, and how well they build from the back. It is going to be a tough match for us, but I believe in our team, in the potential and quality we have. We are really looking forward to the match’

Coach Botes also commented on playing styles, comparing possession-based football to the long-ball approach common in East Africa.

‘Where I come from, we believe in possession football. I am trying to teach our players that if we choose to go long, it must be for a purpose,’ Botes added.

Forward Jovia Nakagolo expressed her gratitude to the coaches for giving her a national team call-up and the chance to play in the first two games, even though she hasn’t yet met their expectations.

‘I am okay as a player and all my teammates are doing well. I thank my coaches for the national team call-up and for giving me playing time. I haven’t given them enough yet, but I am still pushing myself to score at least one goal in the remaining two games.’

Pictorial from training

The Uganda women’s national team, the Crested Cranes, bounced back from their opening loss to Burundi with a commanding 5–0 victory over South Sudan in their second game of the ongoing CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Tanzania.

After losing to Burundi in the first match, the Crested Cranes responded in style on Sunday evening at the Azam Complex.

Uganda’s goals came in the first half, with Sylvia Kabene netting a hat-trick, while Shamirah Nalugya and Zainah Namuleme also found the back of the net. Kabene’s performance earned her the Woman of the Match award.

Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes said the team had to win this game and by a large margin to keep their hopes in the tournament alive.

‘Today’s win was really important for us to stay in the tournament. We knew we had to score many goals, so we changed the formation by bringing in two strikers to reduce pressure on the midfield. We had analysed South Sudan’s game against Tanzania and noticed their defensive line sits high and leaves space behind, so we planned to exploit that,’ Botes explained.

Kabene, who scored a hat-trick, credited her teammates for their teamwork and support.

‘I thank the Almighty for this win. I managed to score three goals and was named Woman of the Match. I appreciate my teammates for their teamwork and my coach for giving me the opportunity to play today,’ she said.

‘As I said earlier, if I am given a chance on the national team, I will make the most of it and that’s what I did today. All I want is to make myself proud and make Busoga proud by scoring more goals for the Crested Cranes,” Kabene added.

Crested Cranes starting line-up vs South Sudan: Lillian Nakiirya (GK), Jolly Kobusingye, Desire Katisi Natooro, Zainah Namuleme (C), Margaret Kunihira, Jovia Nakagolo, Shamirah Nalugya, Docus Lwalisa, Jamilah Nabulime, Sylvia Kabene, and Zainah Nandede.

The Uganda women’s national team, the Crested Cranes, suffered a 1–0 defeat to Burundi in their opening match of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship held on Friday 13th June 2025 at the Azam Complex.

The first half ended goalless, but in the 76th minute, Esperance Habonimana netted the only goal of the match to secure victory for Burundi.

Crested Cranes head coach, Sheryl Botes, made several changes during the match. Nakasi Latifah, Nabulime Jamila, Docus Lwalisa and Nakagolo Jovia were replaced by Sylvia Kabene, Sumayaha Nabuto, Brenda Munyana and Shakirah Nankwanga. However, the substitutions failed to produce an equaliser.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Botes expressed her disappointment with the result.

‘We didn’t expect this outcome—we came looking for a win,’ she said. ‘I still believe we were the better team on the day and created good goal-scoring opportunities.’

Botes confirmed that Saturday would be a rest day for the team, ahead of their second group match against South Sudan on Sunday.

‘Our next game is against South Sudan, and we have to pick up the pieces. We must win all our remaining matches. I believe in this team—it can hold possession, build from the back, play through the lines, switch play, and press high,’ she added.

The Crested Cranes will face South Sudan on Sunday, 15th June, at 7:00 PM.

The Uganda women’s national team, the Crested Cranes, will begin their CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship title defence against 2022 runners-up Burundi today at 4:00 p.m. at the Azam Complex in Tanzania.

Coach Sheryl Botes said that although Uganda has consistently defeated Burundi in previous meetings, football teams continue to improve, and that is why she has prepared her team thoroughly for the opening match—typically the most challenging for Uganda.

“I believe we are going to beat Burundi. I believe in my players. I have watched all of them play in the FUFA Women Super League. I know the first game is always difficult for Uganda, but our toughest opponents are Kenya and Tanzania,” said Coach Botes.

She also noted that the team has focused on various aspects during their three to four days of training, particularly confidence and mental strength.

“I am positive, and the players are positive. We have worked on team unity, the mental aspect, confidence, and self-belief,” she added.

Coach Botes called on all Ugandans to support the Crested Cranes, saying the players are determined to put smiles on their supporters’ faces.

Namuleme Zainah, the Crested Cranes captain, said the team’s target is to win tomorrow’s match in order to keep their title defence on track.

“We are the defending champions of this tournament, so we need to win tomorrow’s game. But this can only be achieved if we put in a strong performance—not just for ourselves, but for all Ugandans,” said Zainah.

Pictorial: Training

The Uganda Women’s National Football Team, the Crested Cranes, held their final training session this morning at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, as they prepare for the upcoming CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Tanzania, which runs from 12th to 21st June 2025.

The team entered residential camp at FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi on Sunday, 8th June, and has had only two days of intensive training before their departure this afternoon.

Speaking after the session, head coach Sheryl Botes expressed her excitement and confidence in the squad. While highlighting the experience of several players, she singled out debutant Jovia Nakagolo as one to watch.

“I have seen all of you play on the national teams — Shamira Nalugya, Zainah Nandede, Daisy Nakaziro — you have more experience than the rest, so I’m sure you will support everyone,” Botes told her players. “I can’t wait to see Jovia Nakagolo score goals in Tanzania. It’s her first time on the national team and I’m really excited.”

Coach Botes named a 20-player squad for the regional tournament. Most of the players honoured the call-up, with two notable changes: Resty Kobusobozi, who is sitting for an examination on 14th June, has been replaced by Asiimwe Zida, while Nulu Nakyaze Babirye makes way for experienced goalkeeper Ruth Aturo.

The squad brings together a mix of youth and experience, with most players featuring in the domestic league. Only two players, Margret Kunihira and Ruth Aturo, ply their trade outside Uganda.

The Crested Cranes are scheduled to depart Entebbe International Airport at 3:00 PM today aboard Uganda Airlines.

Coach Botes urged the players to embrace teamwork and resilience:

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Celebrate your teammates’ successes and lift them up when they fall short.”

Among the younger players on the squad is Sylvia Kabene, who shared her dreams of emulating her idols on the pitch.

“If given an opportunity, I want to score goals just like Fazila Ikwaput and Zainah Nandede,” Kabene said with a smile.

Squad

Training Photos: Monday and Tuesday