The Crested Cranes squad for Uganda’s crucial Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifying clash with Zambia has been named, with head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes calling up 34 players ahead of the two-legged second-round tie.
Uganda will meet Zambia on October 8 before travelling for the return fixture on October 13, 2026, as the Crested Cranes continue their pursuit of a first appearance at the Olympic women’s football tournament.
The provisional group includes four goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 12 midfielders and six forwards, bringing together players from Uganda’s domestic women’s game and professionals based across several countries.
Crested Cranes squad blends local and overseas talent
One of the most noticeable features of the Crested Cranes squad is its international spread.
Players have been selected from clubs in Uganda as well as Denmark, Tanzania, France, China, Kenya, India, Malta, England and the United States.
That gives Botes a mixture of players familiar with Ugandan football and others gaining experience in different leagues abroad.
Among the overseas-based players are goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi of Brondby IF Women, defender Shadia Nankya of HAC Féminines, midfielder Phiona Nabbumba of FC Midtjylland and forward Karin Muya of Watford Women.
Experienced striker Fazila Ikwaput, now with East Bengal WFC, is also included.
For Uganda, that mix could prove valuable against a Zambia side with significant experience at international level.
Goalkeepers
Botes has selected four goalkeepers:
Vanessa Edith Karungi – Brondby IF Women
Ruth Aturo – Simba Queens FC
Lillian Nakiirya – St. Noa Girls FC
Angella Adeke – Amus College WFC
Karungi and Aturo bring valuable experience to the position, while Nakiirya and Adeke provide additional competition for places.
The final choice in goal will be one of the decisions to watch as the technical team moves closer to the opening leg.
Crested Cranes squad features 12 defenders
Uganda’s defensive department is one of the largest areas of the squad, with 12 players selected.
They are:
Shadia Nankya – HAC Féminines Women FC
Aisha Nantongo – RSL Shaanxi Zhidan Women FC
Bridget Nabisaalu – She Maroons FC
Barbara Anomo – St. Noa Girls FC
Hadijah Babirye – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Jamilah Nabulime – KCCA Women FC
Zabinah Nambozo – Amus College WFC
Phionah Arach – Rines SS WFC
Jane Nantongo – UCU Lady Cardinals FC
Zainah Nandede – Simba Queens FC
Marion Amangat – KCCA Women FC
Angel Auki Kigongo – Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
The group gives the coach plenty of options as she looks for the right balance between defensive stability and the ability to build attacks from the back.
Midfield offers Botes plenty of choices
The midfield is another competitive area of the Crested Cranes squad.
Twelve players have been summoned:
Phiona Nabbumba – FC Midtjylland
Joan Nabirye – Yanga Princess FC
Agnes Nabukenya – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Hadijah Balinabyo – BUL Women FC
Kauthara Naluyima – She Maroons FC
Yuster Kayesu – KCCA Women FC
Jovia Nakagolo – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Laki Otandeka – Doncaster Rovers Belles Women FC
Margret Kunihira – Kenya Police Bullets
Megan Mukiibi – ENMU Women Soccer, New Mexico
Peace Muduwa – KCCA Women FC
Samantha Tibiwe – MUBS Nakawa
The midfield selection includes a combination of young talent and players already exposed to football outside Uganda.
Agnes Nabukenya is among the players likely to attract attention after establishing herself as one of the country’s promising young footballers, while Nabbumba, Kunihira and Mukiibi bring overseas experience to the group.
Six forwards selected for Zambia test
Botes has named six forwards for the Olympic qualifying tie.
They are:
Fazila Ikwaput – East Bengal WFC
Sylvia Kabene – Mġarr United Women FC
Karin Muya – Watford Women FC
Mary Kantono – Luweero Giant Queens FC
Jesca Namanda – She Corporate FC
Joanitah Ainembabazi – KCCA Women FC
Ikwaput is one of the more experienced names in Uganda’s attack and could have an important role to play across the two matches.
Muya and Kabene also add international experience, while Kantono, Namanda and Ainembabazi strengthen the competition for attacking places.
Zambia presents a major Olympic qualifying test
The second-round assignment is unlikely to be straightforward.
Zambia has established itself as one of Africa’s more prominent women’s national teams in recent years and appeared at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Copper Queens have already begun preparing for the Uganda tie, initially calling up a large group of locally based players before their foreign-based players join during the international window.
Uganda will therefore need to make the most of the first leg before travelling for the return fixture five days later.
The short turnaround between the two matches will also make squad depth important.
Uganda hoping to take advantage of home leg
The first meeting is scheduled for October 8, giving Uganda the opportunity to begin the tie on home soil.
Playing the opening match at home could offer the Crested Cranes an opportunity to establish themselves before facing Zambia in the return encounter.
Botes will likely want her team to remain disciplined while also making use of Uganda’s attacking options.
With the tie decided over two legs, managing the match rather than chasing the contest too aggressively could prove just as important as creating chances.
Winner advances to the next Olympic qualifying round
The Uganda-Zambia contest forms part of the African qualification pathway for the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The winner of the two-legged tie will progress to the third round, where either Ghana or Mauritius will be waiting.
That gives Uganda a clear incentive to navigate what is likely to be one of the more demanding fixtures in this stage of qualifying.
The African qualification process stretches across several knockout rounds before the continent’s Olympic representatives are eventually determined.
Crested Cranes squad reflects growth of Uganda women’s football
Beyond the immediate result, the composition of the Crested Cranes squad highlights the growing number of Ugandan women playing football both at home and abroad.
Uganda now has players competing in leagues ranging from Scandinavia and England to China, India, Tanzania and the United States.
That international exposure can help the national team by giving players experience of different tactical systems, playing styles and levels of competition.
At the same time, domestic clubs including KCCA Women, Kawempe Muslim Ladies, She Maroons, St. Noa Girls and Amus College continue to provide a large part of the national-team pipeline.
The combination gives Botes a broader pool from which to build the team.
Focus turns to October
With the Crested Cranes squad now announced, attention will move towards preparations and the eventual final selection for the Zambia matches.
The first leg on October 8 will offer Uganda an opportunity to put itself in a strong position before the decisive second meeting on October 13.
Zambia’s recent Olympic experience makes the Copper Queens a demanding opponent, but Uganda heads into the contest with a broad provisional squad and an increasing number of players gaining experience outside the country.
For Botes and the Crested Cranes, the objective is straightforward: survive the two-legged Zambia test and move another step closer to Los Angeles 2028.
