The Uganda Women National team ‘Crested Cranes’ head coach Sheryl Botes today named a 39-player provisional squad as Uganda gears up for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 Qualifiers against Ethiopia.
The first leg will be played in Kampala on Friday, 21st February before Uganda travels to Ethiopia for the return fixture on Wednesday, 26th February.
While addressing the media during the announcement of the squad, Botes acknowledged the magnitude of the task but emphasised the importance of the preparations.
Botes on Ethiopia
‘We are playing Ethiopia and we know it is going to be a tough challenge. There is always a rivalry between Uganda and Ethiopia and we hope the team will be strong enough to put up a good performance. Qualifying for WAFCON won’t be easy but we have to work tirelessly with our players now’
Botes on young players in the squad
Botes also expressed her commitment to integrating young players into the senior team setup. Botes feels that the emerging talent will learn good lessons from the senior players before eventually getting back to the Teen Cranes camp that will also start preparations for the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya.
‘It is always good to bring in young players and give them an opportunity in the senior national team so they can gain experience and learn how to train and compete with the best.”
The U17 ‘Teen Cranes ‘players in the squad are; Martha Babirye, Doreen Aujat, Nusurah Nakintu, Agnes Nabukenya and Rinah Ariho.
Botes on qualities of promising goalkeeper Lillian Nakiirya
“Lillian’s performance during the U17 engagements against Zambia and Cameroon we thought she was amazing and outstanding and it’s always good to bring younger players into the senior team so that they really feel the experience and compete with the best which is Ruth and Daisy. We want her to come play in the U20 starting with the world cup qualifiers soon and that’s why she is here”
Botes on Fauzia Najjemba, Vanessa Karungi, Aisha Nantongo missing out on squad
“Fauzia and Karungi are still recovering from knee injuries after both being operated. I think sometimes they need to fully recover but they are definitely in my plans. Fauzia has got immense talent and experience which we need. For Nantongo, her and Shadia did well in the CAF Women Champions League. Nantongo is definitely in my plans, maybe not for this camp. Let me see what the current team can do but she is definitely in my plans. I would want to see her because I have never had her in my camps so it would be good for me to have her but for this camp let me have a look at the local talent.”
With just weeks left until kick-off, the Crested Cranes will be aiming to fine-tune the squad and tactics as they chase a spot at WAFCON 2026.
The Crested Cranes are aiming for a return to WAFCON after their last appearance in 2022 in Morocco. The team will enter camp on Sunday, 9th February, at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi with training sessions scheduled at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
