Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Teen Cranes, have officially commenced preparations for the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship, with head coach Sheryl Botes naming a 31-player provisional squad ahead of the regional tournament in Tanzania.
The team held its first training session at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba on Tuesday after reporting to residential camp at FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi on Monday.
The championship, scheduled for June 13-23 in Dar es Salaam, presents Uganda with an opportunity to recover from the disappointment of narrowly missing out on qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Teen Cranes saw their World Cup dream come to an end after a goalless draw against Kenya in the return leg at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, with the Kenyans advancing on the away-goals rule.
Uganda in Group B
Uganda has been placed in Group B alongside South Sudan, Zanzibar and Djibouti.
All group matches will be played at either Azam Complex Stadium in Chamazi or KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Teen Cranes will kick off their campaign against Djibouti on June 14 at Azam Complex Stadium before facing Zanzibar on June 16 and South Sudan on June 18, with the latter two fixtures scheduled for KMC Stadium.
Coach Botes is expected to use the ongoing training camp to assess players before naming the final squad that will travel to Tanzania.
The provisional squad draws talent from the FUFA Women Super League, FUFA Women Elite League, academies and secondary school competitions, highlighting the continued growth of women’s football development pathways in Uganda.
Goalkeepers: Sharifah Kizito Namutebi, Hawa Kizza, A. Mayimuna Namuwaya and Sophia Nakazzi have all been summoned for camp.
In defence, Botes has called upon Martha Babirye, Jovia Nakirya, Belinda Nabawanuka, Angel Gerevans Dominick and several other promising defenders.
The midfield department features Tracy Nabalanzi, Jennifer Onyango, Giovanna Aketogwanga, Dorah Nangobi Muteesi and Lydia Nameseruka, among others.
In the Forward section, Botes will look to Immaculate Achen, Terry Moraa Oseko, Monica Buteme, Cynthia Kirenga and Shadia Nabirye to provide goals.
The regional championship offers the Teen Cranes an immediate opportunity to respond positively after their World Cup qualifying setback while providing valuable international experience for the country’s emerging young stars.
For coach Botes, the tournament will also serve as an important platform to continue building a competitive team capable of challenging for future continental and global qualification campaigns.
With a blend of league performers, academy products and school football standouts, Uganda will be aiming to make a strong impression when the competition kicks off in Tanzania later this month.
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.
