FIFA U17 WWCQ: Teen Cranes Out to Keep World Cup Dream Alive Against Kenya

Saturday, May 30
Kenya vs Uganda — Nyayo Stadium, 3:00 PM

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The Uganda U17 Girls’ National Team, the Teen Cranes, will be in action on Saturday afternoon against Kenya in the return leg of the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The match, which will be played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, will determine which side progresses to the next stage of the qualification campaign.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, with Shadia Nabirye giving Uganda the lead before Emily Adhiambo equalised for Kenya.

Uganda will need either a victory or a draw of 2-2 or higher to advance to the next qualifying round and keep their World Cup dream alive.

For Kenya, a goalless draw would be enough to secure qualification on the away-goals rule.

However, playing at home, the Junior Starlets are expected to target victory rather than rely on the advantage.

Teen Cranes defender Martha Babirye, who missed the first leg through injury, recovered in time to train with the squad and travelled with the team to Kenya. She could be in contention to start the decisive encounter.

Uganda head coach Sheryl Botes will also be aiming for a positive result as she seeks to guide the team closer to a historic FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification.

The last time the two nations met in the same competition on Kenyan soil, Uganda suffered a 3-0 defeat in March 2025 and were eliminated 5-0 on aggregate.

Uganda will look to the attacking trio of Immaculate Acen, Shadia Nabirye, and Justine Ayerango to deliver in front of goal and help the team secure a positive result.

The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Kenya will face either Tanzania or South Africa in the next qualifying round.