Uganda’s U-17 Women’s national team, the Teen Cranes, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Kenya in the first leg of the second-round qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The match, played on Saturday evening at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, saw the visitors take full advantage ahead of the return leg in Nairobi.
Kenya started the game on the front foot, mounting early pressure, but Uganda’s defense, led by goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa, held firm.
The Teen Cranes gradually grew into the contest but were undone by a defensive lapse in the 37th minute when Edina Nasipwondi capitalized on an offside trap failure to slot home the opener.
Uganda had a golden opportunity to equalize through captain Agnes Nabukenya, but she fired over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat. The miss proved costly as Kenya doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, with Joan Ogola finishing off a surging run down the left flank to put the visitors firmly in control.
At the break, Uganda’s head coach, Sheryl Botes, made tactical changes, introducing Justine Ayerango and Patience Asango in an attempt to shift momentum.
More substitutions followed, with Rinah Ariho and Joan Kizza Namulindwa entering the fray. However, Uganda struggled to break through Kenya’s well-organized defense.
Despite Nabbosa making crucial saves, including a stop to deny the dangerous Brenda Achieng, the Teen Cranes couldn’t find a breakthrough.
The 2-0 loss now leaves Uganda with an uphill task heading into the second leg on March 18 in Nairobi.
The aggregate winner of this tie will advance to the final qualification round, where they will face either Cameroon or Ethiopia for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
