Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes named a 39-player provisional squad on Wednesday as Uganda prepares for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers against Ethiopia.
The first leg will be played at home on February 21 before Uganda travels for the return fixture on the 26th.
The Crested Cranes are determined to secure a return to WAFCON after their last appearance in 2022 in Morocco. The team is set to enter camp on Sunday, 9th February, at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi, with training sessions scheduled at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Speaking to the media ahead of the qualifiers, Botes acknowledged the challenge posed by Ethiopia but stressed the importance of thorough preparation.
"We are playing Ethiopia, and we know it’s going to be a tough challenge. There’s always a rivalry between Uganda and Ethiopia, and we hope the team will be strong enough to put up a good performance. Qualifying for WAFCON won’t be easy, but we have to work tirelessly with our local players now."
She also called for CAF to consider introducing a women’s version of CHAN, highlighting the need for more competitive opportunities for locally-based players.
"Maybe CAF should consider having CHAN for women because most of our team consists of local players, and we need to get them to another level."
Botes further emphasized the importance of integrating young players into the senior team.
"It’s always good to bring in young players and give them an opportunity in the senior national team so they can gain experience and learn how to train and compete with the best."
With just weeks left until kickoff, the Crested Cranes will be focused on fine-tuning their squad and tactics as they push for WAFCON 2026 qualification.
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