Sheryl Botes retains core squad for CECAFA Championship

CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan Uganda, South Sudan, Zanzibar, Djibouti Uganda U-17 Women's National Team head coach Sheryl Botes has kept faith with the squad that narrowly missed World Cup qualification, retaining 20 players from the Kenya qualifier campaign for the upcoming CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (June 13–23). Botes named a 31-player provisional squad, with most of those who featured against Kenya earning another chance to represent Uganda. The team entered residential camp on Monday at FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi before their first field training session on Tuesday at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba. "We believe in the group that competed in the World Cup qualifiers.

They gained valuable experience and showed good character. This tournament gives us another opportunity to continue their development and improve as a team," Botes said. Retained players include goalkeepers Sharifah Kizito Namutebi and Mayimuna Namuwaya; defenders Martha Babirye, Jovia Nakirya, Tahia Nantege, Ritah Nambuusi, Phionah Arach, and Vicky Atyeronimungu; midfielders Tracy Nabalanzi, Lydia Nameseruka, Brendah Nassaka, Justine Ayerango, Joan Namakula, Giovanna Aketogwanga, Grace Kawino, Cynthia Kirenga, and Immaculate Achen; and forwards Shadia Nabirye and Monica Buteme. "We had a positive first training session.

The players showed commitment and energy. Now the focus is on fitness, teamwork, and match preparation," Botes added. Eleven new players have been introduced to strengthen competition: goalkeeper Hawa Kizza; defenders Belinda Nabawanuka and Halima Mupyanga; midfielders Jennifer Onyango, Dorah Nangobi Muteesi, Susan Nabyonga, Rashidah Nakalema, Flavia Yagala, and Sheila Mungutimu; and forwards Terry Moraa Oseko and Sophia Nakazzi. Uganda is in Group B alongside South Sudan, Djibouti, and Zanzibar.

Group A features Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, and debutants Somalia. The CECAFA championship offers the Teen Cranes a chance to bounce back after their World Cup qualification dream ended on away goals following a goalless draw in Nairobi. Uganda's group stage schedule includes matches against Djibouti on June 14, Zanzibar on June 16, and South Sudan on June 18. Organised by CECAFA, the tournament promotes women's football in the region by providing young players with international exposure and competitive experience.

It is part of a busy 2026 CECAFA calendar that also includes the Kagame Cup, CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers, and various CAF youth and schools qualifiers. Provisional Squad Goalkeepers Sharifah Kizito Namutebi – Kampala Queens FC (Uganda), Hawa Kizza – SIA International Academy (Uganda), A. Mayimuna Namuwaya – St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Sophia Nakazzi – Boni Consilii Girls FC (Uganda) Martha Babirye – St.

Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Jovia Nakirya – Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Angel Gerevans Dominick – St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Belinda Nabawanuka – URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Tahia Nantege – ISRA Soccer Academy (Uganda), Ritah Anitah Nambuusi – Bukedea Comprehensive School (Uganda), Phionah Arach – Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Vicky Atyeronimungu – Amus College WFC (Uganda), Halima Mupyanga – Dream Girls Academy (Uganda) Midfielders Tracy Nabalanzi – URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Jennifer N. Onyango – SIA International Academy (Uganda), Giovanna Aketogwanga – St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Lydia Nameseruka – ISRA Soccer Academy (Uganda), Dorah Nangobi Muteesi – SIA International Academy (Uganda), Brendah Nassaka – St.

Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Joan Namakula – ISRA Soccer Academy (Uganda), Susan Nabyonga – St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Justine Ayerango – Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Grace Kawino – St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Rashidah Nakalema – Unattached (Uganda), Flavia Yagala – BUL WFC (Uganda), Sheila Mungutimu – Boni Consilii Girls FC (Uganda) Immaculate Achen – SIA International Academy (Uganda), Terry Moraa Oseko – Nkoma Secondary School (Uganda), Monica Buteme – Bugisu High School (Uganda), Cynthia Kirenga – URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Shadia Nabirye – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda)