The Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) and Sheryl Ulanda Botes have terminated their collaboration with immediate effect, less than two weeks before the Crested Cranes’ first match against Zambia in the African qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The FUFA announced that both parties had agreed not to extend the contract of the South African coach, bringing an end to three years of work with the senior women’s national team.
A change just before the double confrontation against Zambia
The timing makes this decision particularly sensitive. On September 24, Botes had still unveiled a list of 34 players to prepare for the two-legged tie against Zambia, scheduled for October 8 and 13.
Uganda must therefore reorganize its technical staff just days before an important qualifying round. FUFA has not yet publicly announced the name of the coach who will lead the team during these two matches.
Botes had taken charge of the Crested Cranes as part of a project to develop Ugandan women’s football. The federation thanked her for the work accomplished during her tenure.
The next challenge is now immediate: to maintain sporting continuity and prepare a team already called up to face a Zambian selection regularly recognized among the benchmarks of African women’s football.
