Uganda’s Queen Cranes have secured their spot in the third round of the 2026 Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifiers, following a decisive 5-0 aggregate victory over Namibia. Head coach Sheryl Botes praised her team’s improved performance, highlighting their strategic progress on the field.
The Uganda U-20 women’s national football team dominated the second-round matchup, with a 2-0 win over Namibia at the FUFA Stadium in Kadiba on September 22, 2025. This victory, combined with their 3-0 win in the first leg, sealed their advancement.
Coach Botes was particularly impressed with the team’s tactical development. “From the way we played, it shows that our game has improved,” she stated. “A lot of things done by our players were intentional; we are getting them involved in building attacks.” Despite creating numerous chances, the coach was pleased with the overall result. “The goal was to win the match, and we did. We also wanted to create a lot of chances, which we achieved. I’m happy with the team.”
Goals from Peace Muduwa in the 31st minute and Agnes Nabukenya in the 40th minute secured the home victory for Uganda.
Looking ahead, the Queen Cranes will face the winner of the match between Zambia and Burundi in the third round. Zambia currently holds a 2-1 lead after the first leg. The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Lusaka, Zambia. The third-round matches against either Zambia or Burundi are set for February 2026.
Coach Botes anticipates a tougher challenge in the next round. “The test will be more difficult than this one, but our aim is to win this tournament,” she said, emphasizing the team’s determination to reach the Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
Uganda is now just two rounds away from qualifying for the prestigious international tournament. With four spots available for African teams, the Queen Cranes are focused on overcoming the remaining hurdles on their path to the World Cup.
