Uganda’s women’s coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes says she is encouraged by the Uganda U17 women’s team’s early progress but expects significant improvement in intensity and decision making ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the team’s first training session at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Monday, Botes pointed to positive signs in how the players combined and executed instructions, while stressing that the work has only just begun.
“We are happy to start our first session. The training looked good, with a good combination of play. We are very pleased with what the players can do in terms of decision-making,” Botes said.
She added that the focus will now shift to raising the team’s level to match the demands of international competition, particularly in high pressure situations expected in the two legged tie.
“We have good players here, but we are going to fine-tune them to play at the highest level, at higher intensity, and be able to make better decisions under pressure, because there will be pressure,” she said.
Uganda face Zimbabwe in the first round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with matches scheduled for April 11 and 18. The winner over the two legs will progress to the next stage.
The Teen Cranes will continue preparations in the coming days as Botes and her technical team work to build a competitive side capable of advancing beyond the opening round.
