It’s been a baptism of fire for the Uganda U21 Women’s Hockey Team in their first-ever Junior Africa Cup campaign.
A tournament meant to be a learning ground has delivered tough lessons, harsh scorelines and moments of silent reflection but also flickers of promise.
As the team braces for a crucial encounter against Zambia this Thursday, the mission is clear win and keep hope alive for a podium finish.
Coach Martin Okello, the man entrusted with guiding these young talents through unfamiliar waters, remains grounded in the face of adversity.
Following a 4-0 loss to tournament hosts Namibia, a result that officially ruled Uganda out of contention for the top two spots, Okello struck a tone of resolve and strategy.
“This game was quite tough but we managed to minimize the score, that was our target as a team so we conceded fewer goals, not more than five. We managed to concede only four, so that’s a small win in our situation,” Okello admitted.
That “situation” sees Uganda sitting fifth on the six-team log with just a single point and a -13 goal difference after four matches.
Losses to Zimbabwe (5-1), South Africa (5-0), and Namibia (4-0) painted a grim picture, although a gritty 0-0 draw with Kenya proved the team has potential when things click.
Amidst the struggles, individual sparks have shone through. One such spark was Atim Anitah who was named Woman of the Match against Namibia. Her post-match reflection carried both pride and optimism.
“The game was okay, though we lost. Next time better, but we played very well and I feel very good because it’s my first time and every bit, I like the game,” she said with a genuine smile that hinted at the inner fire powering these Ugandan hopefuls.
For Coach Okello, the focus now shifts to Zambia, a team also winless and bottom of the table with just one point. It’s a do or die fixture with the winner earning a shot at third place and potentially, a ticket to the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2025.
“We have one game left, against Zambia. When we win it, we play the third-place match, that is our goal,” Okello stated firmly.
“We’re talking to our defenders, especially those handling the short corners because most of our goals have come from penalty corners. We’re working hard to correct that before Thursday.”
It’s a game that doesn’t just offer redemption, but also one last shot at history. If Uganda can overcome Zambia, a team equally desperate for a result, they will be playing for a spot on the global stage, an opportunity that would mark a major milestone for a squad just beginning to find its feet.
The urgency levels are high and experience is raw but with belief in their corner and a coach intent on shoring up their weaknesses, the Uganda U21 Women’s Hockey Team heads into their final group stage game with purpose, pride and a shot at rewriting the story.
Next Game:
Junior Africa Cup – Women’s U21 | Thursday, April 24
- Uganda vs Zambia – 10 AM (EAT)
