Ugandan women’s football hit by another World Cup heartbreak

The ghosts of disappointment continue to haunt Ugandan women’s football at the international level, and the latest episode is perhaps the most painful yet for players and coaches alike.

2025 was anticipated to be a year of promise for the national women’s teams, with opportunities to showcase their talent on the global stage. However, the Uganda U17 girls’ team (The Teen Cranes) elimination from the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers on Sunday has dealt a significant blow to the women’s game.

The Teen Cranes faced an uphill battle after a 2-0 first-leg defeat to Kenya at Nakivubo Stadium. The loss not only highlighted the gap between the two sides but also exposed the persistent shortcomings that continue to hinder Uganda’s progress in women’s football, denying them the chance to compete among the best.

Despite the deficit, head coach Sheryl Botes and her team remained optimistic about turning the tide in the second leg at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The Teen Cranes boast a wealth of individual talent, as seen in the first leg and previous matches.

However, competing for a World Cup spot requires more than just showing up—it demands a winning mentality, adaptability, and the ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. Unfortunately, the team fell short in these critical areas.

The girls gave their all in both legs, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Kenya. A 5-0 aggregate loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the fans, the coach, and the players, who had dreamed of making history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup.

This setback follows another heartbreak earlier this year when the Crested Cranes were denied a spot at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations by Ethiopia.

Despite a stellar 2-0 first-leg victory at Nakivubo Stadium, the Crested Cranes squandered their advantage by conceding two costly goals in the second leg, ultimately losing on penalties.

With Uganda now out of all international women’s competitions, questions arise about whether the right measures are being taken to harness the emerging and established talent within the women’s game. Despite the potential, the recurring failures suggest that more must be done to ensure success on the big stage.