DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Defending champions Uganda’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Teen Cranes, launched their 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship title defence in emphatic fashion with a crushing 13-0 victory over Djibouti in their opening Group B match at the Azam Complex on Sunday.
The Ugandan youngsters dominated from start to finish, sending a strong warning to their rivals as they seek to retain the regional crown.
Uganda took just three minutes to break the deadlock when Justine Ayerango found the back of the net. The lead was doubled in the 10th minute after Lydia Namaseruka calmly converted from the penalty spot to put the Teen Cranes firmly in control.
The floodgates then opened as Uganda overwhelmed the Djiboutian side with wave after wave of attacks.
Shadia Nabirye emerged as the star of the day, scoring a hat-trick, while Justine Ayerango and Immaculate Acen each grabbed a brace. The other goals came from Flavia Yagala, Tracy Nabalanzi, Rashidah Nakalema, Vicky Atyeronimungu, Brenda Nassaka, and Lydia Namaseruka to complete the rout.
The convincing victory places Uganda in a strong position in Group B and boosts their goal difference significantly at the start of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Sheryl Botes applauded her players’ performance but stressed that the team’s primary focus remains on improving its overall play rather than chasing large scorelines.
“It’s not always about the score for me. It’s about the performance. We have been working extensively on areas that challenged us during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and in the friendly match against Ethiopia. It was pleasing to see some of those positives come through today,” Botes said.
The South African tactician admitted that neither she nor her players expected such a one-sided result against opponents they had never faced before.
“We scored so many goals today that we can hardly believe it ourselves, but it is a positive start. The result has given the girls confidence and belief going forward,” she added.
Team captain Vicky Atyeronimungu and her teammates looked sharp throughout the contest, displaying fluid passing, clinical finishing and defensive discipline to keep a clean sheet while piling pressure on Djibouti.
Uganda’s starting lineup featured Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya in goal, alongside Phionah Arach, Jovia Nakirya, Angel Gerevans Dominick, captain Vicky Atyeronimungu, Lydia Namaseruka, Flavia Yagala, Justine Ayerango, Shadia Nabirye, Immaculate Acen, and Martha Babirye.
The victory gives the Teen Cranes early momentum as they continue their quest to defend the CECAFA title.
Uganda will now shift focus to their second Group B fixture against Zanzibar, scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, at KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
With 13 goals in their opening match and confidence running high, the Teen Cranes have announced themselves as serious contenders for another regional championship.
