Njeru, Uganda: Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team midfielder Birungi Zainabu has declared the Teen Cranes ready to “fight for the nation” as preparations intensify ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The team entered residential camp on March 30 at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru under head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, focusing on tactical discipline, fitness, and team cohesion.
Speaking from camp, Birungi said the squad is making steady progress across key areas of the game. “We are improving in all aspects. We are working hard to make the nation happy,” she said.
She highlighted defensive organization and teamwork as major areas of improvement. “We have learnt how to retrieve the ball from the opponent, stay compact while defending, and also work as a team,” Birungi added.
Uganda will face Zimbabwe in a crucial two-legged tie scheduled for April 11 and April 18, with the winner advancing to the next qualification round.
The squad blends youthful energy with experience, including key players such as Ritah Anitah Nambuusi, Justine Ayerango, Shadia Nabirye, and Cynthia Kirenga—boosting confidence ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Premier League has adjusted its Matchday 23 schedule to accommodate the national team’s fixtures and avoid venue clashes.
The decision follows confirmation that the decisive return leg against Zimbabwe will be played on April 18 at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
As part of the changes, the highly anticipated clash between SC Villa and Vipers SC has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 15, under floodlights at Kadiba.
In Lugogo, concerns over hosting double fixtures at Phillip Omondi Stadium prompted further adjustments.
KCCA FC will now host Kitara FC on Friday, April 17, while NEC FC will face Maroons FC on Saturday, April 18, with both matches kicking off at 8:00 PM.
The rescheduling ensures smooth coordination between domestic football and national team commitments as Uganda pushes for World Cup qualification.
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.
