Uganda Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes didn’t mince words after her team bounced back in style at the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.
After a shock 1-0 loss to Burundi on the opening day, Uganda stormed back to hammer South Sudan 5-0, and Botes was proud of how her players reacted.
“It was a good response after losing the opening match,” Botes told cecafaonline after the game. “I was happy with the attitude of the team — they went all out and scored many goals.”
Uganda didn’t just win. They dominated. Sylvia Kabene bagged a first-half hat-trick, while Shamirah Nalugya and captain Zainah Namuleme also added their names to the scoresheet. All five goals came before halftime, putting the result well beyond doubt.
Botes, clearly relieved, praised her team’s hunger and mental reset.
“We need to keep working hard ahead of the other matches,” she added. With a crucial showdown against Kenya next, Botes will expect her squad to carry this momentum forward.
Uganda’s big win lifts them to three points in the standings, matching Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi — all of whom also have one win each in the tightly contested round-robin tournament.
The Cranes next face Kenya’s Harambee Starlets, who comfortably beat Burundi 3-0 in their opener, with midfielder Martha Amunyolet grabbing a quick brace and the Woman of the Match award.
