Uganda’s U17 Women’s team, the Teen Cranes, saw their hopes of reaching the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup dashed after a 3-0 loss to Kenya at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.
The defeat sealed a 5-0 aggregate loss, following a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Kampala last weekend.
Head coach Sheryl Botes made two changes to the starting lineup, introducing Halima Mupyanga and Loyce Komugisha in a bid to overturn the deficit.
However, Kenya struck early, with Patience Asiko finding the net in the 5th minute, beating Uganda’s goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa.
Despite Uganda’s relentless effort to break through the Young Starlets’ solid defense, they failed to find the back of the net.
With four minutes left in regulation time, substitute Brenda Achieng doubled Kenya’s lead with a well-placed finish, assisted by Joy Angella Valencia.
Achieng sealed her brace in stoppage time with a solo effort, outpacing the Ugandan defense to score Kenya’s third and cement their place in the final qualification round against Cameroon, who eliminated Ethiopia.
Reflecting on the loss, Coach Botes acknowledged Kenya’s experience, having played at the U17 World Cup last year. She urged patience from Ugandan fans as the team is undergoing a transformation in both philosophy and playing style. Botes expressed optimism that with time, the team would achieve success on the international stage.
