Botes: Ethiopia friendly a key test ahead of CECAFA Championship
The friendly will be played on Thursday as part of final preparations before the CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship, which runs from Saturday to June 23 in Tanzania.
Sheryl Ulanda Botes. File photo
Pre-CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship Friendly
Thursday 11th
Ethiopia v Uganda
Uganda Fixtures – CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026
Next week
Sunday (Azam Complex Stadium)
Uganda v Djibouti 4pm
Tuesday (KMC Stadium)
Zanzibar v Uganda 1pm
Thursday (KMC Stadium)
Uganda v South Sudan 4pm
Uganda U-17 Women's National Team head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes says the friendly against Ethiopia will be a key test of readiness ahead of the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship.
"Ethiopia is a strong side, and this friendly gives us a final opportunity to assess where we are as a team. We are not just looking at results, but at how the players respond tactically and mentally before the competition starts in Tanzania," Botes said.
A 31-member delegation led by FUFA Honorary Executive Committee member John Chrizestom Kalibbala departed Uganda on Tuesday for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the friendly set to be the final tune-up before Uganda's CECAFA campaign begins.
The friendly will be played on Thursday as part of final preparations before the CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship, which runs from Saturday to June 23 in Tanzania. Uganda will compete in Group B alongside South Sudan, Zanzibar, and Djibouti.
Uganda's group fixtures will see them open against Djibouti on Sunday at Azam Complex Stadium, before facing Zanzibar on Tuesday and concluding against South Sudan on Thursday at KMC Stadium.
Botes has named a final travelling squad of 20 players after trimming 11 players from a provisional group of 31, with several key names missing out on selection. The team has been in camp for eight days at FUFA Hotel, Kisaasi.
"The process of selecting this squad was very difficult because all the players gave their best in camp. However, we had to make hard decisions to ensure balance, competition, and tactical discipline within the final group," she explained.
Those dropped include goalkeepers Hawa Kizza and Sophia Nakazzi; defenders Belinda Nabawanuka and Halima Mupyanga; midfielders Jennifer Onyango, Giovanna Aketogwanga, Dorah Nangobi Muteesi, Susan Nabyonga, and Sheila Mungutimu; as well as forwards Terry Moraa Oseko and Monica Buteme.
Botes stressed that the squad retained is built on continuity, keeping most of the players who featured in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers against Kenya.
"We have kept faith in this group because they have already gone through high-pressure matches and gained valuable experience. That foundation is important as we head into a competitive CECAFA tournament," she said.
The CECAFA championship presents an opportunity for the Teen Cranes to bounce back after their World Cup qualification dream ended at the hands of Kenya on the away-goals rule following a goalless draw in Nairobi last month.
Uganda will open its campaign against Djibouti on June 14, before taking on Zanzibar on June 16 and South Sudan on June 18.
Organised by the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), the tournament aims to promote the growth of women's football in the region by providing young players with valuable international exposure and competitive experience.
The championship is one of several competitions lined up on the 2026 CECAFA calendar, which also includes the CECAFA Kagame Cup, CAF Women's Champions League CECAFA qualifiers, CAF U-20 CECAFA qualifiers, CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, and CAF U-17 CECAFA qualifiers.
Teen Cranes Final Squad
Goalkeepers: Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya (St. Noa Girls FC), Sharifah Kizito Namutebi (Kampala Queens FC).
Defenders: Martha Babirye (St. Noa Girls FC), Ritah Anitah Nambuusi (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Jovia Nakirya (Rines SS WFC), Phionah Arach (Rines SS WFC), Tahia Nantege (ISRA Soccer Academy), Vicky Atyeronimungu (Amus College WFC), Angel Gerevans Dominick (St. Noa Girls FC).
Midfielders: Lydia Namaseruka (ISRA Soccer Academy), Tracy Nabalanzi (URA Ladies FC), Flavia Yagala (BUL WFC), Brendah Nassaka (St. Noa Girls FC), Joan Namakula (ISRA Soccer Academy), Justine Ayerango (Rines SS WFC), Rashidah Nakalema (Unattached), Grace Kawino (St. Noa Girls FC).
Forwards: Cynthia Kirenga (URA Ladies FC), Shadia Nabirye (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Immaculate Achen (SIA International Academy).