Uganda Teen Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes has expressed confidence in her team’s readiness to face Kenya, despite the limited preparation time.
The Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team will take on Kenya this Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference held at the FUFA Complex in Mengo on Friday, Botes remained upbeat about her team’s chances.
“We had eight days to prepare the team. From what we have done so far, we are confident we can give Kenya a run for their money,” she stated.
While acknowledging Kenya’s experience, having previously competed at the U-17 World Cup, Botes stressed the importance of a fresh tactical approach.
“They are a formidable team with a lot of experience and skill, so I wouldn’t use the same team that played against Namibia,” she added.
Uganda’s captain, Agnes Nabukenya, echoed her coach’s confidence, emphasizing the team’s preparedness and the added motivation of playing at home.
“We know expectations are high following our big win over two legs against Namibia, but the players in camp are grounded,” Nabukenya said.
“Playing in front of our fans gives us extra motivation to secure a good result in the first leg and plan accordingly for the return match.”
Uganda heads into the fixture with strong momentum, having dominated Namibia with an emphatic 18-1 aggregate victory in the first round.
On the other hand, Kenya’s head coach, Mildred Cheche, remained unfazed by Uganda’s impressive form, insisting that her team was up for the challenge.
“We are not worried. We are prepared. Football is a game of 90 minutes, and a lot can happen within that time,” Cheche remarked.
She also highlighted Kenya’s commitment to player development, revealing that younger players from the U-15 squad had been promoted to fill gaps left by those who graduated to the U-20 team.
Kenya’s captain, Halima Imbachi, acknowledged the significance of the fixture, recognizing the fierce rivalry between the two nations.
“We know this is a derby match. It’s a big day for us, and we understand the challenge ahead. We are ready to face Uganda,” she stated.
The winner of the Uganda-Kenya tie will advance to the third round, where they will face either Ethiopia or Cameroon as the journey to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup continues.
