The Uganda women’s national team, the Crested Cranes, suffered a 1–0 defeat to Burundi in their opening match of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship held on Friday 13th June 2025 at the Azam Complex.
The first half ended goalless, but in the 76th minute, Esperance Habonimana netted the only goal of the match to secure victory for Burundi.
Crested Cranes head coach, Sheryl Botes, made several changes during the match. Nakasi Latifah, Nabulime Jamila, Docus Lwalisa and Nakagolo Jovia were replaced by Sylvia Kabene, Sumayaha Nabuto, Brenda Munyana and Shakirah Nankwanga. However, the substitutions failed to produce an equaliser.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Botes expressed her disappointment with the result.
‘We didn’t expect this outcome—we came looking for a win,’ she said. ‘I still believe we were the better team on the day and created good goal-scoring opportunities.’
Botes confirmed that Saturday would be a rest day for the team, ahead of their second group match against South Sudan on Sunday.
‘Our next game is against South Sudan, and we have to pick up the pieces. We must win all our remaining matches. I believe in this team—it can hold possession, build from the back, play through the lines, switch play, and press high,’ she added.
The Crested Cranes will face South Sudan on Sunday, 15th June, at 7:00 PM.
