The Uganda Ladies’s Senior Soccer Staff, the Crested Cranes, departed on Sunday, February 23, aboard Ethiopian Airways for Addis Ababa, the place they’ll face Ethiopia within the return leg of the 2026 WAFCON Qualifiers on Wednesday, February 26.
Head coach Sheryl Botes, talking after Uganda’s hard-fought 2-0 victory within the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, shared tactical insights, praised particular person performances, and warned in opposition to complacency.
Botes on the Touchline in opposition to Ethiopia.
Reflecting on the primary leg, Botes acknowledged the extreme rivalry between Uganda and Ethiopia and acknowledged the tactical challenges posed by the Ethiopian crew.
“We knew from the start there’s at all times rivalry between Uganda and Ethiopia, and we knew it was going to be a troublesome match.” she mirrored
“Ethiopia has key influential gamers like their captain Loza Abera and Adegash Messa in midfield. We had to make sure our midfield was compact and that we gained the second ball to forestall them from controlling the sport,” Botes acknowledged.
She highlighted Uganda’s offensive play, stating that regardless of the scoreline remaining goalless for a lot of the match, she at all times believed the targets would come as a result of stress Uganda was exerting on Ethiopia’s protection.
“Despite the fact that the primary half ended 0-0, we had extra alternatives than them. We may at all times really feel the aim would come as a result of we had been urgent their protection.”
Botes identified Ethiopia’s physicality and reliance on lengthy balls, which challenged her aspect.
“They had been a bit extra bodily than us and performed lengthy balls unpredictably. This pressured us to regulate tactically, guaranteeing our striker, quantity 10, and wingers pushed ahead to shut areas. Nonetheless, at occasions, our protection sat too deep, leaving gaps in midfield.”
One of many standout gamers within the first leg was Zaina Namuleme, who broke the impasse with a vital aim.
Zaina Namuleme.
Botes lauded Namuleme’s intelligence, tactical consciousness, and highly effective taking pictures capacity.
“I first observed Zaina when she performed for Kampala Queens, however I just lately noticed her taking part in for Makerere, and I mentioned to myself, ‘That’s my participant.’ She has the aptitude, she’s direct, and he or she understands house nicely. She performed a key position linking up midfield and assault, and her highly effective photographs make her an actual menace.”
Botes additionally hinted at scouting further gamers with comparable qualities, mentioning Shakira Nyinagahirwa and Hasifah as potential future additions to the squad.
Regardless of securing a vital 2-0 benefit, Botes emphasised that the tie is much from over and warned her gamers in opposition to complacency.
The women celebrating Fazila Ikwaputs’s second aim.
“The women felt each kick on that pitch. There’s no manner complacency will kick in, it must transcend me. We needed to struggle for these two targets, and I cannot enable the crew to take this flippantly. If I see indicators of complacency within the warm-up, I’ll take motion. We all know taking part in in Ethiopia is much more tough, and something can occur.”
Botes burdened that the Crested Cranes won’t sit again within the return leg however will as an alternative apply stress on Ethiopia from the beginning.
“We’re not going to Ethiopia to take a seat again. We are going to press them excessive and put stress on their defensive third. If we sit again, we invite them to assault us, and we all know how harmful Loza is. The gamers now have video evaluation to check their actions, and we might be nicely ready.”
Whereas the first-leg squad delivered a robust efficiency, Botes has made just a few adjustments for the return fixture.
Goalkeeper Ruth Aturo and defender Bridget Nabisaalu have been omitted from the touring squad, with Nabisaalu lacking out on account of harm.
In the meantime, 4 new gamers; Lillian Nakirya, Margaret Namande, Auki Kigongo Angel, and Teddy Najjuma have been included.
The winner of this fixture will advance to face both Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea within the subsequent qualification spherical.
Remaining Touring Squad
Violah Nambi, Aisha Nantongo, Fazila Ikwaput, Joan Nabirye, Zainah Namuleme, Phionah Nabbumba, Resty Nanziri, Sumayah Komuntale, Zainah Nandede, Agnes Nabukenya, Daisy Nakaziro, Esther Namusoke, Jolly Kobusingye, Latifa Nakasi, Phionah Nabulime, Resty Kobusobozi, Teddy Najjuma, Lillian Nakirya, Margaret Namande, Auki Kigongo Angel.
