Excitement is reaching its peak as Uganda’s Crested Cranes prepare to host Ethiopia’s Lucy in the first leg of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers on Friday, February 21, at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Both teams have wrapped up their preparations, with their respective coaches and captains exuding confidence ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.
At the pre-match press conference held at FUFA House, Mengo, Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes and captain Viola Nambi, along with Ethiopia’s head coach Joseph Gebrewod and skipper Loza Abera, shared their thoughts on the upcoming battle.
Sheryl Botes (Crested Cranes Head Coach)
“The first few days in camp were a bit challenging as the players sought to regain confidence. However, we have key principles we want to apply in the match, and I am confident we will execute them well.”
“Ethiopia is a strong offensive team with a new coach and eight players from their U-20 side that competed at the 2023 African Games in Ghana. Loza is a standout player, Senaf has netted 14 goals in their league, and Aregash is a powerful attacking force. Their midfield is also highly mobile.”
“The Ethiopia team I remember from my time in South Africa played a very possession-based game, but they tried different tactics against Nigeria in the African Games. We will need to be compact and neutralize Loza, who is a threat on both feet and possesses great experience.”
“I encourage fans to come and support us. This is the senior team, and the best players will be showcasing their skills.”
“Pressure is always there, but I am more concerned when players do not perform well in training. It takes time to implement a game plan, especially with female players, as we often have to start afresh whenever they regroup in camp.”
“Our main goal is to qualify for WAFCON, and we have a chance with a potential clash against Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea in the next round. But for now, our focus is entirely on Ethiopia.”
“People sometimes question position changes, but some players struggle in their club roles. Our job is to assess and refine them to maximize their potential. While we have long-term plans to upskill our squad, for now, we rely on international players.”
Viola Nambi (Crested Cranes Captain)
“I’ve been with the team for the last three days, and I can confidently say we are in a good mental and physical state. We have committed ourselves to staying strong and overcoming any challenges that arise.”
“As players, we have held meetings to boost morale, and I have spoken individually with teammates to inspire them.”
“There’s no pressure. It is an honour to captain this team. I believe in the squad and the selected players, and I am ready to lead by example.”
Joseph Gebrewod (Ethiopia Lucy Head Coach)
“The spirit in camp is high, and the players are inspired. Though our preparation time has been short, we have worked to balance both experienced and young players.”
“Playing the first leg away is always tough, but our aim is to give our best and set the tone for the return leg.”
“Senaf Wakuma is a great player, but we also have other key professionals like Loza Abera and Aregash Tadese. We are preparing them well to ensure we get a positive result.”
Loza Abera (Ethiopia Lucy Captain)
“I recently started a new chapter with DC Power, which has given me valuable experience. I know Uganda has many professional players, and we lost to them the last time we played here.”
“But football is unpredictable; every match presents a new challenge. We will do our best to win tomorrow.”
“Our team is in good shape, with excellent coordination and a strong winning mentality. Since this is a national team match, we are determined to secure victory. I expect a competitive game.”
The return leg will take place in Addis Ababa on February 26, with the aggregate winner advancing to the next round. Uganda will be hoping to capitalize on home advantage to gain an early edge in the tie.
