Crested Cranes Begin New Era Without Botes as Zambia Olympic Qualifiers Loom

The Uganda Senior Women’s Football National Team, the Crested Cranes, held their first training session without Sheryl Botes in three years on Monday, September 28, as preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers against Zambia got underway.

The training session came a day after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed that it would not renew Botes’ contract, bringing her three-year tenure as head coach to an end with immediate effect.

On Monday, September 28, Ahumuza Colines, who served as Botes’ assistant coach, led the Crested Cranes’ first training session at MTN-OMONDI Stadium, Lugogo, as the search for a new head coach continues.

“We have had a good training session with 18 players in camp so far, and we are hoping to be joined by the rest of the summoned squad soon. The locally based players in camp showed commitment in today’s training, and we will be ready to eliminate Zambia,” Colines said after Monday’s training session.

The Crested Cranes are scheduled to face Zambia in the Olympic qualifiers over two legs, with the first match set for October 8 and the return leg on October 13, 2026.

The two-legged encounter will mark Uganda’s next step towards qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with the team seeking to make its first-ever appearance in the women’s football tournament.

Uganda will be looking to progress further in the qualification process after falling short in the previous campaign. During the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers, the Crested Cranes were eliminated by Cameroon in the second round after Cameroon won the return leg 3–0 after extra time, overturning Uganda’s 2–0 first-leg advantage.

Full Crested Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers

Karungi Vanessa Edith — Brøndby IF Women
Aturo Ruth — Simba Queens FC
Nakiirya Lillian — St. Noa Girls FC
Adeke Angella — Amus College WFC

Defenders

Nankya Shadia — HAC Féminines Women FC
Nantongo Aisha — RSL Shaanxi Zhidan Women FC
Nabisaalu Bridget — She Maroons FC
Anomo Barbara — St. Noa Girls FC
Babirye Hadijah — Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Nabulime Jamilah — KCCA Women FC
Nambozo Zabinah — Amus College WFC
Arach Phionah — Rines SS WFC
Nantongo Jane — UCU Lady Cardinals FC
Nandede Zainah — Simba Queens FC
Amangat Marion — KCCA Women FC
Auki Kigongo Angel — Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC

Midfielders

Nabbumba Phiona — FC Midtjylland
Nabirye Joan — Yanga Princess FC
Nabukenya Agnes — Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Balinabyo Hadijah — BUL Women FC
Naluyima Kauthara — She Maroons FC
Kayesu Yuster — KCCA Women FC
Nakagolo Jovia — Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Laki Otandeka — Coamo FC
Kunihira Margret — Kenya Police Bullets
Mukiibi Megan — ENMU Women Soccer
Muduwa Peace — KCCA Women FC
Tibiwe Samantha — MUBS-Nakawa

Forwards

Ikwaput Fazila — East Bengal WFC
Kabene Sylvia — Mġarr United Women FC
Muya Karin — Watford Women FC
Kantono Mary — Luweero Giant Queens FC
Namanda Jesca — She Corporate FC
Ainembabazi Joanitah — KCCA Women FC