Sporting And Developing Talent From The Grassroots, 9 Students Summoned For National Team.

By John Wycliffe Musinguzi

On 25th/01/2024, Crested Cranes Head Coach Sheryl Botes traveled to Jinja City to follow the proceedings of the USSSA Elite Games which kicked off on that day, a definition of a real talent discoverer and promoter

Her journey has delivered fruits with 9 students having summoned and added to the teen Cranes camp which is preparing for the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

Uganda Women’s U17 team (Teen Cranes) will start its World Cup dream with a test of Cameroon on Saturday 3rd February 2024 at St Mary’s Kitende Stadium.

The 9 players were added on merit after a stellar performance and hard work in their opening games as explained by Botes. The championship reigning champions and powerhouse in Ugandan women’s football Kawempe Muslim has dominated the list.

The 9 players and their schools.

1. Imelda Kasemiire – St Noah Girls School Zzana
2. Sylivia Kabene – St Noah Girls School Zzana
3. Lilian Nakirya – St Noah Girls School Zzana
4. Vanessa Namazi – Kawempe Muslim Secondary School
5. Agnes Nabukenya – Kawempe Muslim Secondary School
6. Dorcus Kisakye – Kawempe Muslim Secondary School
7. Shadia Nabirye – Kawempe Muslim Secondary School
8. Monica Nanono – Kawempe Muslim Secondary School
9. Mary Augi – Jinja Secondary School.

St Noah Girls School Zzana has got three players on the rota, shot-stopper Lilian Nakyirya, exciting midfielder Sylvia Kabene, and skillful midfielder Imelda Kasemiire who gets her first appearance in the national colours.

FUFA Women Super League’s top scorer after the first round Agnes Nabukenya was another big boost for Botes alongside CAF African Schools CECAFA zonal qualifiers top scorer Shadia Nabirye, more players from Kawempe are Monica Nanono, Dorcus Kisakye, and Vanessa Namazi.

Energetic Mary Augi was the only player chosen from hosts Jinja Secondary School.

Immediately after the climax of the Elite Games, players joined camp on Sunday 27th, they have been training well and all eyes are on the game.

Botes wants to build to build players from the junior teams to the senior side.

“I want to start these girls when they are still young, they have the talent and the capability to make steady progress,” said Botes.

“These are the same players we are going to use for all Africa games for U20 because they can and if we see they are not ready we shall bring them back to U17 to build them more. I have even seen players on the U20 that we shall promote to crested cranes soon” Sherly added.