Teen Cranes soar into second round with 18-1 aggregate victory

The Uganda U-17 women’s national team, the Teen Cranes, has stormed into the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in emphatic fashion, completing an 18-1 aggregate victory over Namibia.

The team’s dominant performance was capped off with an 8-1 win in the return leg on Sunday at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, following a 10-0 triumph in the first leg.

Head coach Sheryl Botes made five changes to the starting lineup for the second match, resting key players including captain Agnes Nabukenya and introducing fresh faces such as Irene Kabarokole, Isabella Blick, and Joan Kizza Namulindwa.

The changes paid off, as the team’s depth and talent were on full display.

The match got off to a flying start, with Uganda opening the scoring in the 15th minute through an own goal by Namibia’s Renalda Angel Tamara.

Namulindwa doubled the lead in the 35th minute, and Blick added another a minute later.

The first half ended with Uganda in control, leading 3-0.

The second half saw Uganda continue their onslaught.

Namulindwa completed her hat-trick with goals in the 46th and 50th minutes, while Rinah Ariho made it 6-0 in the 53rd minute.

Substitutes Shadia Nabirye and Nakalema added their names to the scoresheet before Namibia’s Shiwovanhu Haukongo scored a consolation goal in the 68th minute.

Coach Botes praised the team’s performance, highlighting the depth of talent in the squad.

“The team’s focus remains on securing a spot in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup,” she said.

The Teen Cranes now advance to the second round, where they will face Kenya in March.