Queen Cranes set for Ghana showdown as Nalukwago joins Uganda U-20 Squad

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier

Saturday 3rd (Accra Sports Stadium)

First Leg
Ghana v Uganda 

Saturday 9th (FUFA Stadium Kadiba)

Second Leg
Uganda v Ghana

Midfielder Shamim Nalukwago says she is excited and determined after earning her first call-up to the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.

The Standard Secondary School, Zzana player is part of the squad that has spent 10 days in a residential camp at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, preparing for the final round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.

Nalukwago said joining the national team setup is a big step in her career.

“I am honored to be part of this team for the first time. The experience has been very positive. I have met very talented, disciplined, and focused players who are helping me adapt quickly and improve every day,” she said.

“I am learning a lot from both the coaches and my teammates, and the competition within the group is pushing everyone to raise their level.”

She added that the team is fully focused on the task ahead.

“The training sessions have been intense but very productive, and we are fully committed to the team’s objectives. As players, we understand the importance of the upcoming matches against Ghana, and we are preparing mentally and physically to give our very best in both legs as we push for World Cup qualification.”

Teammates share confidence

Her teammate Imelda Kasemire also spoke about the confidence within the camp, saying the players are working hard to achieve their dream.

“We are doing our best to get a positive result against Ghana. We want to play at the World Cup. The coaching staff is pushing us well to achieve this target,” Kasemire said.

Central midfielder Dorine Wandera echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the team’s unity and ambition.

“I am proud to be here. All the players are well prepared and focused. We want to give our best against Ghana and qualify for the World Cup. It is everyone’s dream to play at the World Cup,” Wandera noted.

Qualifier details

The Queen Cranes will face Ghana’s U-20 women’s national team in the final qualification round, with the first leg scheduled for Sunday, May 3 at the Accra Sports Stadium. The return leg will be played on May 9 in Kampala.

The winner on aggregate will secure a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Promoted players

The squad includes four players promoted from the Uganda U-17 girls’ team, which recently defeated Zimbabwe’s U-17 women’s national team 4-1 in Kampala to advance 6-1 on aggregate. They are Martha Babirye, Phionah Arach, Vicky Atyeronimungu, and Terry Moraa Oseko.

Stiff competition

Uganda faces stiff competition for the limited World Cup slots, with only four African teams set to qualify. Traditional powerhouses such as Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast are also in contention.

If the Queen Cranes qualify, they will become only the second Ugandan team to reach a FIFA World Cup.

Last year, the Uganda U-17 men’s national team made history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2025. They went on to reach the Round of 16, defeating France and Senegal before losing to Burkina Faso on penalties.

The boys’ U-17 team is currently preparing for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026, where they will face Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and DR Congo in the group stage.