The Uganda U17 Women’s National Team, popularly known as the Teen Cranes, is set to face Kenya in the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. The highly anticipated fixture will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Ahead of the crucial encounter, Uganda’s head coach, Sheryl Botes, and Kenya’s head coach, Mildred Cheche, addressed the media at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, sharing their perspectives on the upcoming match.
Coach Botes expressed confidence in her squad’s readiness despite the short preparation time.
“We had eight days to prepare the team. From what we have done so far, we are confident we can give Kenya a run for their money,” she stated.
Acknowledging Kenya’s experience, she added, “They are a formidable team that has previously participated in the World Cup. They bring a lot of experience and skill, so I wouldn’t use the same team that played against Namibia.”
With home advantage in play, Botes emphasized the importance of securing a win in Kampala.
Uganda’s captain, Agnes Nabukenya, echoed her coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s determination.
“Playing on the national senior team has helped me gain endurance and new tactics, which enables me to provide strong leadership. We have prepared well, and we are ready to get the win against Kenya. Playing in front of our fans gives us extra motivation,” Nabukenya said.
On the other side, Kenya’s head coach, Mildred Cheche, remained optimistic about her team’s chances.
“We are not worried. We are prepared. Football is a game of 90 minutes, and a lot can happen within that time,” she said.
She also noted that the team’s structure has seen younger players step up to fill gaps left by those who moved to the U20 team.
Kenya’s captain, Halima Imbachi, acknowledged the intensity of the East African derby but assured fans of their commitment.
“We know it is a derby match. It is a big day for us, and we know it will not be easy. We are ready to face Uganda,” she remarked.
Uganda advanced to this stage with a dominant 18-1 aggregate victory over Namibia, positioning themselves as strong contenders in the qualifiers.
The winner of the Uganda vs Kenya fixture will advance to the third round, where they will face either Ethiopia or Cameroon as they continue their quest for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
