Teen Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes praised her players for carrying out their tactical instructions perfectly as Uganda wrapped up the group stage of the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship with a convincing 4-0 victory over South Sudan in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.
The result saw Uganda finish top of Group B with a perfect nine points from three matches, while also maintaining an impressive defensive record, having yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Botes revealed that South Sudan’s physical strength and aerial threat had been a major focus in Uganda’s preparations.
“It was very important for us to win today. We knew South Sudan had height and physicality and had been scoring goals from set pieces and corners. We had to manage that threat well, and I am very happy with the performance of the team,” said Botes.
The coach’s satisfaction stemmed not only from the result but also from the way her side neutralised one of South Sudan’s biggest weapons. Uganda successfully prevented their opponents from capitalising on set-piece situations, an area Botes had identified as a key danger before kick-off.
The victory ensured the Teen Cranes completed the group phase with a flawless record, underlining the progress the team has made under Botes during the competition.
Uganda’s attention now turns to the semi-finals, where they will face Kenya at KMC Stadium on 21 June. Botes will be hoping her side can maintain the same discipline and tactical execution that helped them navigate the group stage without dropping a point or conceding a goal.
