Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes has expressed confidence in her squad’s readiness ahead of their clash with Ethiopia, despite initial challenges in camp.
Uganda will host Ethiopia’s Lucy on Friday, February 21, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
“The first few days in camp were a bit challenging as the players sought to regain confidence. However, we have key principles we want to apply in the match, and I am confident we will execute them well,” Botes said during the pre-match press conference.
Uganda will look to capitalise on home advantage before traveling to Addis Ababa for the return leg on February 26.
Botes emphasized the importance of a solid result in Kampala but remained cautious of Ethiopia’s attacking threat.
“Ethiopia is a strong offensive team with a new coach and eight players from their U-20 side that competed at the 2023 African Games in Ghana.”
She talked about which players could pose a threat to Uganda, stating “Loza Abera is a standout player, Senaf Wakuma has scored 14 goals in their league, and Aregash Tadese adds power to their attack. Their midfield is also highly mobile.”
She however stressed the need for a compact defensive approach to contain Ethiopia’s dynamic forwards, particularly Loza, who brings significant experience and versatility.
Crested Cranes captain Viola Nambi also voiced her confidence in the squad, highlighting their positive mindset ahead of the fixture.
“I’ve been with the team for the last three days, and I can confidently say we are in a good mental and physical state. We’ve held meetings to boost morale, and I’ve spoken individually with teammates to inspire them,” Nambi said.
“There’s no pressure. It’s an honour to captain this team, and I believe in the players selected.”
Ethiopia’s Lucy, under head coach Joseph Gebrewod, are also optimistic despite having had limited preparation time.
“The spirit in camp is high, and the players are inspired. Though our preparation time has been short, we’ve worked to balance experienced players and youth. Playing the first leg away is always tough, but our aim is to give our best and set the tone for the return leg,” Gebrewod said.
Lucy captain Loza Abera, who recently joined DC Power in the United States, acknowledged Uganda’s strength but is determined to lead her side to a positive result.
“I know Uganda has many professional players, and we lost to them the last time we played here,” Abera admitted.
“But football is unpredictable. Every match presents a new challenge. We’ll do our best to win tomorrow.”
With a potential clash against Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea awaiting in the next round, both teams will be eager to secure an advantage in this opening leg.
Uganda will rely on home support to push them closer to their goal of qualifying for the 2026 WAFCON, against a team that has been a tough nut for them to crack.
