CECAFA U-17: Teen Cranes depart for Ethiopia, Tanzania with 20-player squad

Kampala, Uganda: Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes has named her final travelling squad for the upcoming CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship after dropping 11 players ahead of an international friendly against Ethiopia.

The Teen Cranes will face Ethiopia on Thursday in Addis Ababa as part of their final preparations for the regional tournament scheduled to take place in Tanzania from June 13 to 23.

The friendly is expected to provide Botes with a final opportunity to assess her squad and fine-tune tactics before the team begins its CECAFA campaign.

A 31-member delegation comprising players and officials left Uganda on Tuesday under the leadership of FUFA Honorary Executive Committee member John Chrizestom Kalibbala. The team will proceed directly to Dar es Salaam after the Ethiopia match.

Ahead of departure, Botes reduced her provisional squad from 31 players to a final travelling squad of 20, with 11 players missing out on selection.

Those dropped include goalkeepers Hawa Kizza (SIA International Academy) and Sophia Nakazzi (Boni Consilii Girls FC), defenders Belinda Nabawanuka (URA Ladies FC) and Halima Mupyanga (Dream Girls Academy), midfielders Jennifer N. Onyango, Dorah Nangobi Muteesi, Giovanna Aketogwanga, Susan Nabyonga and Sheila Mungutimu, as well as forwards Terry Moraa Oseko and Monica Buteme.

The final squad reflects the growing strength of Uganda’s youth women’s football structures, with St. Noa Girls FC contributing the highest number of players.

Six players from the Zzana-based side made the travelling squad, underlining the club’s reputation as one of the country’s leading talent development centres.

Goalkeepers Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya of St. Noa Girls FC and Sharifah Kizito Namutebi of Kampala Queens FC will compete for the number one jersey.

The defensive department includes Martha Babirye, Jovia Nakirya, Phionah Arach, Tahia Nantege, Ritah Anitah Nambuusi, Vicky Atyeronimungu and Angel Gerevans Dominick.

In midfield, Botes has retained Lydia Namaseruka, Tracy Nabalanzi, Flavia Yagala, Brendah Nassaka, Joan Namakula, Justine Ayerango, Rashidah Nakalema and Grace Kawino. The attacking responsibility will fall on Cynthia Kirenga, Shadia Nabirye and Immaculate Achen.

Uganda enters the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship as one of the tournament favourites following recent improvements in youth women’s football development and strong performances at regional competitions.

The Teen Cranes have been drawn in Group B alongside South Sudan, Zanzibar and Djibouti.

Their campaign will begin against Djibouti on June 14 at Azam Complex Stadium before facing Zanzibar on June 16 and South Sudan on June 18 at KMC Stadium.

The tournament is expected to provide valuable competitive experience for young players as Uganda continues investing in the development pathway for future Crested Cranes stars.

Coach Botes will particularly be keen to see her side produce a convincing display against Ethiopia before shifting focus to the CECAFA championship where Uganda will be targeting regional glory.

Teen Cranes Travelling Squad

Goalkeepers: Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya (St. Noa Girls FC), Sharifah Kizito Namutebi (Kampala Queens FC)

Defenders: Martha Babirye (St. Noa Girls FC), Ritah Anitah Nambuusi (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Jovia Nakirya (Rines SS WFC), Phionah Arach (Rines SS WFC), Tahia Nantege (ISRA Soccer Academy), Vicky Atyeronimungu (Amus College WFC), Angel Gerevans Dominick (St. Noa Girls FC)

Midfielders: Lydia Namaseruka (ISRA Soccer Academy), Tracy Nabalanzi (URA Ladies FC), Flavia Yagala (BUL WFC), Brendah Nassaka (St. Noa Girls FC), Joan Namakula (ISRA Soccer Academy), Justine Ayerango (Rines SS WFC), Rashidah Nakalema (Unattached), Grace Kawino (St. Noa Girls FC)

Forwards: Cynthia Kirenga (URA Ladies FC), Shadia Nabirye (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Immaculate Achen (SIA International Academy)