The Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team, widely known as the Teen Cranes, has officially launched its preparations for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African qualifiers, signaling the start of a critical phase in the team’s journey toward global competition.
The team held its first training session on March 30, 2026, at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, marking the beginning of an intensive training camp ahead of their first-round clash against Zimbabwe. The two-legged tie is scheduled for April 11 and April 18, 2026, with the aggregate winner advancing to the next stage of the qualification campaign.
Under the guidance of head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, the opening session emphasized evaluating player fitness, sharpening tactical awareness, and fostering early on-field chemistry among the squad.
The technical team used the session to assess individual player readiness while also beginning to build combinations that will be crucial in competitive matches. Early signs from the camp indicate a team eager to gel and rise to the challenge ahead.
Speaking after the session, Coach Botes expressed optimism about the squad’s early performance and cohesion.
“We are happy to start our first session. The training looked good, with a good combination of play. We are very pleased with what the players can do in terms of decision-making,” she noted.
While encouraged by the team’s initial showing, Botes emphasized that further improvements will be necessary, particularly in handling high-pressure situations and maintaining intensity throughout matches.
She highlighted the importance of refining the players’ decision-making under pressure—an area expected to be decisive in the tightly contested qualifiers.
“We have good players here, but we are going to fine-tune them to play at the highest level, at higher intensity, and be able to make better decisions under pressure, because there will be pressure,” she added.
Uganda’s immediate focus is the upcoming encounter against Zimbabwe, a pivotal hurdle in their qualification journey. With only one team progressing from the two-legged tie, the stakes are high as the Teen Cranes aim to move beyond the opening round and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.
Training sessions will continue in the coming days, with the coaching staff working to shape a competitive and resilient squad capable of delivering results on the continental stage.
