The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has officially unveiled the provisional squad for the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team, the Queen Cranes, ahead of their decisive fourth-round qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.
Head Coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes named a balanced and competitive squad that blends domestic league standouts with a handful of foreign-based players. The team will face Ghana in a two-legged tie scheduled between May 1–3 for the first leg and May 9, 2026, for the return fixture.
The Queen Cranes are set to enter residential training camp at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru starting April 18, 2026. The camp will serve as the final preparation phase, focusing on tactical drills, fitness conditioning, and team cohesion ahead of the Ghana encounter.
The upcoming fixture is part of the fourth and final qualification round. Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the aggregate score determining which team advances.
If the aggregate score is tied after both legs, the away goals rule will be applied. Should parity persist, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout—without extra time.
Victory over Ghana would secure Uganda a coveted spot at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026, marking a significant milestone for the country’s women’s football program.
The 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, Kenya), 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)
