Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Uganda Women’s National Football Team Head Coach Sheryl Botes has expressed confidence in her players despite a 1-0 defeat to Burundi in their opening match of the 2024 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship at the Azam Complex.
The Friday clash was a rematch of the 2022 final, where Uganda triumphed 3-1 in Njeru, but this time, a 75th-minute free kick from Esperance Habonimana handed Burundi a crucial victory in a tightly contested match.
“I am positive, and the players are positive,” said Coach Botes. “We will continue working on team unity, the mental aspect, confidence, and self-belief. I believe we are going to bounce back. I believe in my players.”
The Crested Cranes, captained by veteran midfielder Zainah Namuleme, held Burundi to a goalless first half, with both teams exhibiting strong midfield control and defensive discipline.
Namuleme, featuring in her fourth CECAFA tournament, led the team under a new leadership structure that also includes assistant captain Zainah Nandede, the reigning Female Player of the Year and a standout performer for Kampala Queens.
Despite the defeat, Botes remained optimistic about the team’s potential. “First of all, we didn’t expect this result. We wanted to win. Burundi were lucky to win. We will grow and improve.”
Uganda now shifts focus to their second fixture against South Sudan on Sunday, June 15.
The tournament, running from June 13 to 21, features a round-robin format with five teams: Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, and hosts Tanzania.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
