CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026
Sunday Result: Uganda 13-0 Djibouti
Tuesday (KMC Stadium): Zanzibar vs Uganda – 1pm EAT
Thursday (KMC Stadium): Uganda vs South Sudan – 4pm EAT
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Defending champions Uganda announced their intentions of retaining the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship title in emphatic fashion after hammering Djibouti 13-0 in their opening match at KMC Stadium on Sunday.
The Teen Cranes produced a ruthless attacking display, scoring seven goals before halftime and adding six more after the break to register the biggest victory of the tournament so far.
Uganda wasted no time asserting dominance, with Justine Ayerango opening the scoring after just three minutes before Lydia Namaseruka doubled the lead from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
Shadia Nabirye added a third in the 17th minute before Flavia Yagala made it four seven minutes later as Djibouti struggled to cope with Uganda’s pace and movement.
The goals continued to flow as Immaculate Acen struck in the 36th minute before Nabirye completed a brilliant first-half hat-trick with quickfire goals in the 39th and 40th minutes to send Uganda into the break with a commanding 7-0 lead.
Nabirye Stars in Goal Fest
The second half offered no respite for Djibouti as the Teen Cranes maintained relentless pressure.
Ayerango grabbed her second goal of the afternoon in the 56th minute before Uganda added a flurry of late goals through Tracy Nabalanzi, Rashidah Nakalema, captain Vicky Ayoronimungu and Brenda Nassaka.
Nabirye emerged among the standout performers after completing a first-half hat-trick, while Ayerango scored twice in a dominant team performance.
Lydia Namaseruka, Flavia Yagala, Immaculate Acen, Tracy Nabalanzi, Rashidah Nakalema, Vicky Ayoronimungu and Brenda Nassaka also got on the scoresheet as Uganda delivered a statement victory.
The result sends Uganda to the top of Group B and underlines their credentials as favourites to successfully defend the regional crown.
The Teen Cranes arrived in Tanzania determined to bounce back from the disappointment of narrowly missing out on qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after losing to Kenya on the away-goals rule.
Coach Sheryl Botes’ side had already shown encouraging signs during preparations, fighting back to secure a 3-3 draw against Ethiopia in an international friendly in Addis Ababa before travelling to Tanzania.
Uganda’s attention now shifts to Tuesday’s Group B clash against Zanzibar before concluding the group stage against South Sudan on Thursday.
Both matches will be played at KMC Stadium.
The CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship is organised by the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations and serves as a platform to develop women’s football by giving young players valuable international exposure and competitive experience.
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