Botes Prepares Uganda U-20 Women for Crucial Ghana Clash in World Cup Qualifiers

Uganda’s U-20 women’s national team coach, Sheryl Botes, is gearing up for her toughest challenge yet. She has summoned a 35-player squad to face Ghana in the fourth and final round of the 2026 African U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which double as qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Botes, who led the team to bronze at the 2024 Africa Games in Ghana, sees this as a chance to take Uganda to its first-ever Women’s World Cup. The first leg is set for May 1-3 away in Ghana, with the return leg at home on May 8-10.

“Ghana will be very difficult,” Botes warned. “They are physically strong and tactically efficient. But we have a plan.” With only 10 days to prepare, she’s using the large squad to build competition around a core group.

Ghana previously knocked Uganda out in the 2022 U-20 qualifiers and advanced further. Uganda has faced early exits in past campaigns, including against Senegal in 2024 and Tanzania in 2020. In 2013, Uganda reached the final round against Ghana but withdrew to focus on domestic development.

The She Cranes progressed through earlier rounds: bye in the first, 5-0 over Namibia in the second, and 2-1 against Zambia in the third.

Summoned Squad Highlights:

Goalkeepers: Lillian Nakiirya (St. Noa), Angella Adeke, Elizabeth Atieno (Amus College), Josephine Nambuya (Kawempe Muslim), Nuriat Nawegulo (She Maroons).

Defenders: Desire Katisi Natooro (Kenya Police Bullets), Barbara Anomo, Martha Babirye (St. Noa), Hasifah Patricia Namboozo (Makerere University), Zabinah Namboozo, Vicky Atyeronimungu (Amus College), Patricia Nakato Nankyanzi, Phionah Arach (Rines SS), Ritah Kadondi (UCU Lady Cardinals).

Midfielders: Agnes Nabukenya, Krusum Namutebi (Kawempe Muslim), Angel Gerevans Dominick, Jennifer Namagembe Onyango, Zainabu Birungi, Imelda Kasemire, Patricia Nayiga, Sumaya Nalumu (St. Noa), Mary Kituyi (Bududa High School), Shamim Nalukwago, Lillian Asiyanzo (Standard High School, Zana), Dorine Wandera (Amus College), Peace Muduwa (Kampala Queens), Sylvia Kabene (Hibernian, Malta), Angel Kigongo Auki (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga), Megan Mukiibi (RSL El Paso DPL, USA).

Forwards: Mary Kantono (She Corporate), Yasmeen Naluwago (Rines SS), Terry Moraa Oseko (Nkoma Secondary School), Hadijah Balinabyo (Bul).

Botes also has U-17s facing Kenya later in May. Success against Ghana would send the Queen Cranes to the World Cup finals in Poland from September 5-27.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)