Sports 2 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Queen Cranes Face Tough Challenge Against Ghana in U-20 World Cup Qualifiers
Uganda's Queen Cranes, led by coach Sheryl Botes, take on dominant Ghana in the final round of Africa's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers, aiming to end over 15 years of Ghanaian supremacy. The first leg kicks off May 3 in Accra, with the return match on May 9 in Kampala. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/uganda-in-david-vs-goliath-battle-against-ghana-5444218
Uganda’s Queen Cranes are gearing up for a daunting David vs. Goliath clash against Ghana in the fourth and final round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, set for Poland from September 5-27.
Ghana, Africa’s top team, has secured spots in every edition since 2010. Coach Sheryl Botes acknowledges their physicality, tactics, and technical prowess but insists her side has a strategy to restrict the Black Princesses’ freedom on the pitch.
The first leg is scheduled for May 3 at Accra Stadium, followed by the return fixture on May 9 at Fufa Kadiba Stadium in Kampala. Ghana previously ousted Uganda 7-2 on aggregate in the 2022 qualifiers and advanced past Senegal in 2024 after Uganda’s exit.
Botes stresses peak fitness and concentration, criticizing domestic club coaches for inadequate physical preparation and inconsistent player roles. She has sent unfit players home during selections and calls for better club-national team collaboration, including mandatory CAF D coaching for Crested Cranes players.
Uganda earned their spot here after victories over Zambia (2-1 aggregate) and Namibia (5-0 aggregate), bypassing the first round.
Post-Ghana, Botes will prepare the U-17 Teen Cranes for a qualifier against Kenya, leaving little time to rest.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)