Queens Cranes Named for U-20 World Cup Qualifiers as Uganda Prepares for Zambia
By Kayiira Jackson
Uganda’s U-20 Women’s National Team, the Queens Cranes, have entered camp as preparations begin for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, following the announcement of a 32-player provisional squad by head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes.
The qualifiers will see Uganda face Zambia in a two-legged encounter, with the first leg scheduled for 7 February 2026 at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, before the return leg on 14 February 2026 in Zambia. The winner on aggregate will advance to the next round of the continental qualification pathway.
The summoned players are expected to report on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at 9:00am at FUFA House, Mengo, before travelling to the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, where the team will hold a residential training camp.
Coach Botes has assembled a balanced squad that blends school football prospects, Women Super League regulars and foreign-based players, reflecting Uganda’s growing talent pool at youth level. Clubs such as St. Noa Girls, Kawempe Muslim Ladies, Kampala Queens, Amus College, and Rines Secondary School are heavily represented, alongside overseas-based players in the USA, Kenya and Malta.
Between the posts, Lillian Nakirya (St. Noa Girls) headlines a competitive goalkeeping unit that includes Angella Adeke (Amus College WFC), Josephine Nambuya (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC) and Charity Chebet (Shammah Queens FC).
The defensive line is boosted by the inclusion of Kenya-based Desire Katisi Natooro (Kenya Police Bullets FC), alongside promising defenders such as Martha Babirye (El Cambio), Ritah Kadondi (UCU Lady Cardinals FC) and Vicky Atyeronimungu (Amus College WFC).
Midfield options are plentiful, with the Queen Cranes expected to rely on both creativity and industry from players like Angella Nolla (Great Falls Reston Girls – USA), Agnes Nabukenya, Dorcus Kisakye, Sumaya Nalumu and Peace Muduwa, as Uganda looks to control matches across both legs.
In attack, the responsibility of finding goals will fall on Sylvia Kabene (Herbernian FC – Malta), supported by Mary Katono (She Corporate FC), Yasmeen Nalukwago (Rines SS WFC) and Nusulah Nakintu (Uganda Martyrs WFC).
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers:
Nakirya Lillian (St. Noa Girls), Adeke Angella (Amus College WFC), Nambuya Josephine (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Chebet Charity ( Shammah Queens FC)
Defenders:
Natooro Desire Katisi (Kenya Police Bullets FC -Kenya), Anomo Barbara (St. Noa Girls), Namboozo Hasifah Patricia (Makerere University WFC), Nambozo Zabinah (Amus College WFC), Nanyanzi Patricia Nakato (Rines SS WFC), Babirye Martha (El Cambio), Babirye Patricia (Bunya SSC), Kadondi Ritah (UCU Lady Cardinals FC), Atyeronimungu Vicky (Amus College WFC), Katusiime Charity (Amus College WFC)
Midfielders:
Nolla Angella (Great Falls Reston Girls –USA), Nabukenya Agnes (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Namutebi Krusum (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Kasemire Imelda (St. Noa Girls), Najjuma Shamusa (Kampala Queens WFC), Nayiga Patricia (St. Noa Girls), Kisakye Dorcus (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC), Wandera Dorine (Amus College WFC), Nalumu Sumaya (Kampala Queens WFC), Muduwa Peace (Kampala Queens WFC), Kasango Shakirah (St. Noa Girls FC), Phionah Arach (Rines SS WFC), Auki Angel Kigongo (Uganda Martyrs WFC), Mungutimu Sherinah (Boniconsili Girls FC)
Strikers:
Kabene Sylvia (Herbernian FC – Malta), Katono Mary (She Corporate FC), Nalukwago Yasmeen (Rines SS WFC), Nakintu Nusulah (Uganda Martyrs WFC)
Team Officials:
Sheryl Ulanda Botes – Head Coach
Ahumuza Collins – 1st Assistant Coach
Nantumbwe Sharifah – 2nd Assistant Coach
David Ribeiro – Goalkeeper Coach
Sebuliba George – Goalkeeper Coach
Sefika Pelin Bal – Sports Scientist
Nsubuga Allan Magunda – Video Analyst
Nkata Moses – Sports Scientist
Kabatalindwa Mable – Team Doctor
Nkuya Jackline – Physiotherapist
Namusisi Joan – Team Manager
Nakiguba Cissy Gaudensia – Equipment Manager
Namutebi Aminah – Team Media Officer