The Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team, the Queen Cranes, have intensified preparations for their crucial final-round qualifier against Ghana in the race for a place at the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.
The team entered residential camp on Sunday at the Fufa Technical Centre Njeru, where they will fine-tune tactics ahead of the two-legged tie.
Uganda is set to host the first leg between May 1 and 3, 2026, before travelling to Ghana for the return leg on May 9, in what will determine qualification for the global tournament in Poland.
Training sessions kicked off immediately, with the technical team focusing on fitness, cohesion, and building chemistry among players as they assess the best combinations for the matches.
Head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes expressed optimism about the team’s mindset despite the limited preparation time.
“We commenced our first preparations this morning, and I have already seen a positive mentality from the players. They are confident,” she said.
Botes acknowledged the tight schedule but emphasized the need to maximize the available sessions.
“We have only a few sessions to prepare, so we are using this time to find the right combinations, especially as we aim to get a good result away against Ghana,” she added.
The provisional squad blends domestic talent with a few players based abroad, all competing for spots in the final team that will represent Uganda in the high-stakes qualifiers.
Uganda now turns its full attention to the decisive fixtures, with hopes of securing a historic qualification to the 2026 Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers:
Lillian Nakiirya (St. Noa Girls FC), Angella Adeke (Amus College WFC), Elizabeth Atieno (Amus College WFC), Josephine Nambuya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Nuriat Nawegulo (She Maroons FC)
Defenders:
Desire Katisi Natooro (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Barbara Anomo (St. Noa Girls FC), Hasifah Patricia Namboozo (Makerere University WFC), Zabinah Namboozo (Amus College WFC), Patricia Nakato Nankyanzi (Rines SS WFC), Martha Babirye (St. Noa Girls FC), Phionah Arach (Rines SS WFC), Ritah Kadondi (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Vicky Atyeronimungu (Amus College WFC)
Midfielders:
Agnes Nabukenya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Krusum Namutebi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Angel Gerevans Dominick (St. Noa Girls FC), Jennifer Namagembe Onyango (St. Noa Girls FC), Mary Kituyi (Bududa High School), Zainabu Birungi (St. Noa Girls FC), Imelda Kasemire (St. Noa Girls FC), Patricia Nayiga (St. Noa Girls FC), Shamim Nalukwago (Standard Secondary School, Zana), Dorine Wandera (Amus College WFC), Sumaya Nalumu (St. Noa Girls FC), Peace Muduwa (Kampala Queens FC), Sylvia Kabene (Hibernian FC, Malta), Angel Kigongo Auki (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga FC), Lillian Asiyanzo (Standard High Secondary School, Zana), Megan Mukiibi (RSL El Paso DPL, USA)
Forwards:
Mary Kantono (She Corporate FC), Yasmeen Naluwago (Rines SS WFC), Terry Moraa Oseko (Nkoma Secondary School), Hadijah Balinabyo (BUL WFC)
