Teen Cranes Coach Shares Secret Behind Impressive Run to CECAFA Women's U17 Semis

Uganda U-17 Women's National Team coach Sheryl Botes has opened up on the tactical set up that saw her team seal a place in the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship with a game to spare.

The Teen Cranes sealed their progression with a convincing 3-0 victory against Zanzibar on Tuesday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This win marks Uganda's second consecutive victory in the tournament, placing them at the top of Group B with six points and guaranteeing their spot in the knockout stage.

The Teen Cranes asserted their dominance from the outset, controlling the tempo for most of the first half. Their persistent attacking pressure finally paid off just before the break when Shadia Nabirye broke the deadlock in the 44th minute.

Uganda carried their momentum into the second half, doubling their lead in the 58th minute through a goal from Immaculate Acen. The victory was emphatically sealed in the 90th minute as Justine Ayerango found the back of the net, capping off a stellar team performance.

"It was not only about the goals today but also the performance of the players," Botes stated as per FUFA. "We knew Zanzibar would be a difficult opponent because of their physical approach, but I had confidence in the players and their abilities."

The Teen Cranes will play their final Group B fixture against South Sudan on Thursday, 18 June 2026, at KMC Stadium with less pressure.