Photo Courtesy FUFA Media.
Uganda U17 Women’s national team coach Sheryl Botes has admitted to facing a difficult side in Kenya in the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Teen Cranes progressed to the second round of the Qualifiers with relative ease after completing a double over Namibia. Uganda made sure they made light work over their counterparts in the return leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo winning 8-1 to qualify 18-1 on aggregate. It should be noted that Uganda had won the first leg on Thursday 10-0.
The qualification ticket earned Uganda a second round fixture against Kenya and according to Botes, facing their East African neighbours will need a different approach because they already have World Cup experience.
“They have gone to the World Cup now, they've gained so much experience, we’ve never been to the World Cup. So, just for them to be there they've gained a lot and we could see now on the video footage that we've seen that they are so powerful in attack,” Botes said as quoted by SABC Sports.
“We've gotta find the players now that will be able to compete against Kenya. So, it's not gonna be easy, it's definitely not gonna be easy, there will be pressure from the word go and that is now already what we’re anticipating.”
The South African coach continued: “We're looking forward to Kenya that is really our focus and see which players will be able to play against Kenya, which players will be ready to compete against Kenya.”
On making five changes against Namibia in the return leg, Botes said: “Obviously our plan was to give the players that didn't play a chance to play. You could see younger ones and the only way you'll be able to see them play is to play them, you know.
“So, it gave us a clearer understanding that there is a gap between the team that played the first game and now the second leg. I would say the intensity has dropped, it was a bit slow but it's the only way we'll be seeing who is still there and what they can offer the game.”
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