The Uganda women’s national football team, the Crested Cranes, will return to action this evening in their third match of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship, taking on regional rivals Kenya at 7:00pm at the Azam Complex in Tanzania.
The match comes just days after Uganda bounced back from an opening-day defeat to Burundi with a resounding 5–0 victory over South Sudan. That result has injected fresh momentum into the camp as the team looks to secure another vital win and boost their chances of advancing in the regional tournament.
Speaking after the team’s final training session this morning at the KMC Complex, head coach Sheryl Botes acknowledged the threat posed by Kenya’s Harambee Scarlets but remained confident in her side’s ability to rise to the challenge.
“I watched their game against Burundi and I could see the maturity in the team, the strength on the wings, and how well they build from the back,” Botes said. “It is going to be a tough match for us, but I believe in our team, in the potential and quality we have. We are really looking forward to the match.”
The South African tactician also shared insights into her football philosophy, contrasting Uganda’s developing playing style with the traditional East African approach.
“Where I come from, we believe in possession football. I am trying to teach our players that if we choose to go long, it must be for a purpose,” she noted.
Forward Jovia Nakagolo, who featured in the first two games, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent her country and vowed to give more in the upcoming matches.
“I thank my coaches for the national team call-up and for giving me playing time. I haven’t given them enough yet, but I am still pushing myself to score at least one goal in the remaining two games,” Nakagolo said.
The Crested Cranes will be hoping to maintain their attacking form from the South Sudan game, where Fazila Ikwaput and Phionah Kabene were instrumental, with Kabene netting a memorable hat-trick.
