Uganda U-20 Women’s head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes says her team must stay composed ahead of the two-legged Ghana qualifier.
A decisive World Cup qualifier begins with one clear message from Uganda’s U-20 Women’s head coach: stay focused, stay composed.
Sheryl Ulanda Botes says the Queen Cranes are preparing with the right mindset as they tackle Ghana in the final round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.. The tie is set to start on Saturday, May 3, at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra for the first leg, before the return match at FUFA Stadium Kadiba on May 9.
For Botes, the stakes are simple. Uganda need results across both legs to earn a place at the World Cup. She described the camp as upbeat and said the team believes in its squad as it chases the opportunity.
This is the kind of moment where concentration matters as much as talent. With only a narrow window for error across two matches, composure can end up being the difference between progress and disappointment.
Uganda head into the encounter following a strong run in the previous round, where they eliminated Zambia. Botes indicated that most of the players from that campaign have been retained, including a midfield adjustment with Zainabu Birungi stepping in for Dorcus Kisakye.
The squad has also received a boost from the inclusion of four U-17 players: Martha Babirye, Phionah Arach, Vicky Atyeronimungu and Terry Moraa Oseko. Botes said the group impressed after their dominant win over Zimbabwe, adding fresh energy as the qualifier reaches its defining stage.
At the same time, Botes warned against underestimating Ghana. She pointed to having analysed Ghana’s play against South Africa, emphasising that the contest is expected to be challenging for both sides.
In high-level qualifiers, respect for the opponent often shows in planning. When teams anticipate a tough contest, they tend to manage phases of the game more carefully, especially when momentum swings.
Uganda have been based at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru before travelling to Accra. The camp has been led through the process by FUFA Executive Committee member Agnes Mugena, with the focus still on producing strong performances across both legs.
Qualification remains highly competitive, with only four African teams expected to advance alongside established contenders. Botes appealed to Ugandans to support the team, saying Uganda will fight to make the country proud.
If the Queen Cranes succeed on aggregate, they would become only the second Ugandan team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, following the U-17 men’s historic run last year.. For Uganda’s U-20 side, this clash against Ghana is now the immediate test, and the next step will come from what happens when it matters most.
That is why every focused decision, from the opening spell to the closing minutes, carries extra weight in qualifiers like this. For Uganda, the goal is not just to compete, but to seize the moment across two legs.