Babirye confident as Uganda U-17 women close in on World Cup qualifiers

Saturday 18th (FUFA Stadium, Kadiba)

Second Leg
Uganda v Zimbabwe 4pm

Aggregate

Uganda 2 Zimbabwe 0

Team captain Martha Babirye has expressed strong belief in the Uganda U-17 women’s national team as they prepare for their decisive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier return leg against Zimbabwe on Saturday at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.

Speaking during Wednesday’s training session at the Mandela National Stadium Annex, Babirye said the team is focusing on tactical sharpness and maintaining their winning momentum.

“It is an honour to lead this team. The squad is in good shape, the atmosphere in camp is positive, and we are fully focused on securing a strong result at home,” Babirye said.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline, possession, and smarter movement off the ball as Uganda aim to finish the job after securing a 2-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg in Harare.

“We have to keep possession well and also improve how we move off the ball,” she noted.

Babirye also spoke about the team’s technical progress under the coaching staff, particularly in attacking build-up and tactical flexibility.

“The coach focused on teaching us progressive football and using the wide areas, and also how strikers can create space in the final third,” she said. “The camp is really good, and the environment is putting us in good shape as we prepare for the forthcoming game.”

Uganda go into the return leg with confidence after a disciplined 2-0 victory away in Zimbabwe, where Immaculate Acen and Lydia Namaseruka scored to give the Teen Cranes control of the tie. Goalkeeper Mayimuna Namuwaya also played a key role with crucial saves to secure a clean sheet.

Zimbabwe will look to mount a comeback in Kampala, but Uganda remains in a strong position heading into the second leg.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Zimbabwe will advance to the next round to face either Namibia or Kenya.

Already, Liberia, South Africa, and DR Congo have progressed to the next round following the withdrawal of Libya, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic.

From the CECAFA region, eight teams are taking part, including Kenya, Rwanda, Djibouti, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

The match is part of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which have attracted 31 teams across Africa and are being played over three knockout rounds. Only four teams will qualify for the World Cup and join hosts Morocco.