'We can do better in Nairobi' - Uganda U17 coach confident of comeback against Junior Starlets

Junior Starlets during a training session at the Kasarani Stadium. Photo. Imago.

'We can do better in Nairobi' - Uganda U17 coach confident of comeback against Junior Starlets

Evans Ousuru 05:00 - 11.03.2025

Teen Cranes coach explains why the team is ready to cause an upset against the Junior Starlets in Nairobi.

Uganda U17 women's team is confident of launching an unlikely comeback against Junior Starlets in the World Cup qualifier second leg encounter.

The Teen Cranes lost the first leg 2-0 courtesy of goals from Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Saturday.

Junior Starlets host their neighbours on March 16 at the Nyayo Stadium but the Teen Cranes coach Sheryl Botes believes her charges have what it takes to overturn the tables in Nairobi.

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She said the Teen Cranes will draw inspiration from the senior women's team the Crested Cranes, who overturned a similar scoreline against Ethiopia in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. 

"We saw things in the second half that convinced us that we can do better in Nairobi. We now have to take the game to Kenya and try to win the tie," Botes told Mozzart Sports.

Reflecting on her team's performance in the first leg, Botes pointed out why she was impressed with their display especially in the second leg. 

"I am proud of the girls and how they fought. If it was the team that played against Namibia, we would have been destroyed,” she said.

The  winner of this tie will likely face Cameroon in the final round. Cameroon were clinical in front of goal as they cruised past Ethiopia 5-2.

With a well-organized team performance, Cameroon quickly took the lead and gave no chance to the East Africans. The commanding victory puts Cameroon in a strong position to advance in the lead of the second leg.

The Junior Starlets made history last year by becoming the first Kenyan team, male or female, to play at the World Cup. The showpiece in the Dominican Republic saw the Junior Starlets win one match in the Group Stage of the biennial competition.

Their 2-1 win against Mexico will likely be an inspiration for the Mildred Cheche-coached side to try and make back-to-back appearances at the global showpiece.