Kampala, (UG): The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has appointed South African tactician Sheryl Botes as the Uganda Crested Cranes’ head coach.
The official announcement and unveiling of Botes to the media was made by FUFA President Moses Magogo alongside FUFA CEO Edgar Watson Suubi during a press briefing on Wednesday morning at FUFA House in Mengo.
Magogo said out of over 40 applicants who applied for the job, including five Ugandans, a lone female contender, Botes emerged as the chosen candidate, securing a three-year contract in charge of the country’s national women’s football team.
“We received over 40 applications, they were five Ugandans. We did an analysis and it has taken us time to get an experienced and qualified coach in women’s football on the continent and in the world,” Magogo noted, emphasizing that the selection process was purely meticulous.
“It has been a long process; we were slow, but we wanted to be sure that we appoint the right person,” he said, adding that interim coaches were not part of the evaluation.
Botes, a seasoned coach, comes in as a direct replacement to interim head coach Charles Ayiekho who took charge of the team’s Olympics Qualifiers, falling in the second round to Cameroon, courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
Her extensive experience includes being the former head coach of the South African U-20 Women’s National Team, the Basetsana.
Moreover, she served as the Technical Advisor to former South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis for the Banyana Banyana team.
FUFA said Botes will come along with three other staff including; David Ribeiro (Goalkeeping Coach), Ashley De Beer (Sports Scientist) and Phuphu Mohlaba (Video Analyst). The full technical team which will include Ugandan officials will be named at a later stage.
In a bid to fortify women’s football development in Uganda, Botes’ responsibilities extend beyond the Crested Cranes. Eng Magogo confirmed that she will also oversee all other Youth Women National Teams, signalling a comprehensive approach to nurturing talent at various levels.
With the Crested Cranes aiming for greater heights, Botes, armed with her three-year deal, is set to not only lead the team but also shape the trajectory of women’s football across Uganda, including the U17 and U20 Women’s National Teams.
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