Crested Cranes Head Coach Sheryl Botes Names 20-Player Squad for 2025 CECAFA Women’s Championship in Tanzania

The Head Coach of the Uganda Women’s Senior National Team, the Crested Cranes, Sheryl Botes, has officially named a 20-player squad for the upcoming 2025 CECAFA Women’s Championship. The regional tournament is slated to run from 12th to 21st June 2025 at the Azam Complex in Chamazi, Tanzania.

The selected squad reflects Coach Botes' strong confidence in domestic talent, with the majority of players drawn from Uganda's top-tier women’s football clubs. The only foreign-based player on the list is Margaret Kunihira, who plies her trade with Caessia Queens LFC in Tanzania. Uganda are the defending champions of the CECAFA Women’s Championship, and the team will be aiming to retain their crown amidst stiff competition.

Squad Breakdown

Goalkeepers

Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC)

Lillian Nakiirya (St. Noa Girls FC) Nulu

Nakyaze Babirye (Goldstar Ladies FC)

Defenders

Desire Katisi Natooro (Asubo Ladies FC)

Jamilah Nabulime (Kampala Queens FC)

Hasifah Patricia Namboozo (Makerere University WFC)

Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Docas Lwalisa (Olila HS WFC)

Zainah Nandede (Kampala Queens FC)

Esther Namusoke (Kampala Queens FC)

Midfielders 

Nankwanga Shakirah (Kampala Queens FC)

Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC)

Zaina Namuleme (Makerere University WFC)

Brenda Munyana (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)

Sumayah Nabuto (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

Margret Kunihira (Caessia Queens LFC, Tanzania)

Resty Kobusobozi (Lady Doves FC)

Forwards 

Latifah Nakasi (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)

Sylvia Kabene (St. Noa Girls FC)

Jovia Nakagolo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC)

The squad will report for camp on Sunday, 8th June 2025 at 2 PM at the FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi. The first training session will be conducted the following day, Monday, 9th June at 2 PM at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. The team is scheduled to fly out to Tanzania on Tuesday, 10th June 2025, ahead of their opening match.

This year’s CECAFA Women’s Championship will be played in a round-robin format featuring five teams: Tanzania (hosts), Uganda (defending champions), Burundi, South Sudan, and Kenya.

Uganda’s Fixtures:

12th June, 2025:

Uganda vs Burundi – 4:00 PM EAT

14th June, 2025:

South Sudan vs Uganda – 7:00 PM EAT

17th June, 2025:

Kenya vs Uganda – 7:00 PM EAT

19th June, 2025:

Uganda vs Tanzania – 7:00 PM EAT

With no knockout stage in place, each match carries immense weight, and the team with the highest points at the end of the tournament will be crowned champion.

Coach Botes' selection reflects a strategic blend of youthful energy and experience. Players like Shamirah Nalugya, Daisy Nakaziro, and Shakirah Nankwanga bring critical tournament experience, while newcomers are expected to add dynamism and hunger to the squad.

"We have gone with a squad that understands the style we want to implement and has been performing consistently in our local leagues," said Coach Botes during the announcement. "We are proud to carry the flag of Uganda as defending champions and look forward to representing the nation with pride and passion."

Uganda heads into the tournament with high expectations, not only as defending champions but also as a team that has consistently shown growth in women’s football across the region. The squad’s composition underscores the depth of talent in Uganda’s domestic women’s football scene, and with focused preparations, the Crested Cranes are poised to make a strong title defense in Tanzania.

FUFA and the entire nation will be rallying behind the Crested Cranes as they aim to bring the CECAFA Women’s title back home once again.