Uganda’s U-17 women’s national team, the Teen Cranes, made a perfect start to their CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship campaign with a commanding 13-0 victory over Djibouti in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
The emphatic Group B triumph immediately placed Uganda among the early favourites for the regional title and underlined the attacking quality within Sheryl Ulanda Botes’ squad.
Uganda wasted no time asserting their dominance. Justine Ayerango opened the scoring inside the first minute after finishing from close range before Lydia Namaseruka doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Djibouti conceded a foul in the area.
The Teen Cranes continued to overwhelm their opponents throughout the first half. Shadia Nabirye struck a hat-trick before the break, while Flavia Yagala and Immaculate Achen also found the back of the net as Uganda raced into a commanding lead.
There was no let-up after halftime as Uganda maintained their relentless attacking pressure. Achen completed her brace, while Tracy Nabalanzi, Rashida Nakalema, Vicky Atyeronimungu and Brenda Nasaka all got on the scoresheet to cap a memorable evening for the East African side.
The victory gives Uganda an ideal foundation in Group B and strengthens confidence as they pursue a place in the latter stages of the tournament.
Head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes praised her players for beginning the competition strongly but stressed the need to maintain the same standards throughout the championship.
“We are happy with the win and want to continue playing well in the whole tournament,” Botes said after the match.
Uganda’s dominant display came on a day when South Sudan also started their Group B campaign with victory, edging Zanzibar 1-0 through Amou Seber’s second-half goal.
