The Uganda Crested Cranes kicked off their 2025 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship campaign with a tough 1-0 loss to Burundi on Friday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
It was a rough start for the reigning champions, who came into the tournament hoping to defend the title they won in 2022.
After a cagey first half at the Azam Complex, where Uganda dominated possession and created several promising chances, it was Burundi who broke the deadlock in the 75th minute.
Esperance Habonimana’s long free-kick took a strange bounce and snuck past Uganda’s goalkeeper, catching the entire Crested Cranes backline flat-footed.
Despite late pressure and a flurry of attacking subs from head coach Sheryl Botes Ulanda, Uganda couldn’t find the equalizer.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Cranes, who had looked sharp during the opening spells but were punished for failing to convert.
The loss drops Uganda to the bottom of the early standings, while Burundi sit second behind hosts Tanzania, who cruised past South Sudan with a commanding 4-0 win.
Uganda will now have to bounce back in their next outing against South Sudan to keep their title defense hopes alive.
This isn’t the start the Crested Cranes were banking on. Coming off a strong run in the previous edition, where they beat Burundi in both the group stage and the final, the team now finds itself in unfamiliar territory — chasing the pack.
The 2025 tournament features five teams playing in a round-robin format, meaning every game counts. Uganda has three more chances to climb back into contention, but there’s little room for error from here on out.
The next matchday is set for Sunday, with Uganda facing South Sudan and Burundi taking on Kenya. A win is now non-negotiable for the Crested Cranes if they want to stay in the running.
