The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially parted ways with national women’s team head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, bringing a sudden end to her three-year tenure at the helm of the Crested Cranes. The announcement was made on Sunday following a joint decision by the federation and the South African-born tactician not to renew or extend her expiring contract.
The high-profile coaching change comes at a precarious time for Ugandan women’s football. The timing of the departure could not be more critical, arriving just days before the Crested Cranes are scheduled to face a formidable Zambia side in the decisive second round of qualifying for the women’s football tournament at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games. With such a high-stakes fixture looming large, the federation’s technical committee faces immediate pressure to stabilize the squad and navigate the upcoming qualifiers seamlessly.
In an official statement released by the governing body, FUFA executive director Edgar Watson Ssuubi confirmed that the separation resulted from a comprehensive technical review of the national team’s trajectory and performance metrics over the past few seasons.
”We thank her for the work during the three years, and wish her the best in the future,” Ssuubi said, acknowledging the dedication Botes brought to the role since her appointment.
Looking back at Botes’ three-year stewardship, the tenure was marked by mixed fortunes on the continental and international stages. While the federation and technical staff invested heavily in developing a competitive pipeline, the Crested Cranes struggled to secure qualifications for several major women’s competitions. Under her watch, the senior and youth national setups faced setbacks in bids for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and the prestigious CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite these broader qualifying hurdles, Botes did manage to stamp a positive mark on regional development. Her crowning achievement with Ugandan football came earlier this year at the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship. Displaying tactical discipline and resilience, she guided the young squad to a memorable tournament victory in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, showcasing her ability to nurture raw emerging talent.
However, senior team results ultimately dictated the direction of the technical leadership. With the 2028 Olympic qualifiers rapidly approaching, FUFA has yet to name an interim successor or outline a permanent replacement strategy. Fans and stakeholders across the nation are now watching closely to see how the federation manages this sudden transition and whether the Crested Cranes can overcome the hurdle against Zambia without their long-term architect on the sideline.
