Sheryl Botes calls for Women's CHAN to help level playing field

The South African believes this would help close the gap between local players and their overseas-based teammates, as named her Crested Cranes’ preliminary squad to face Ethiopia in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers. 

After two appearances in the tournament in 2020 and 2022, Uganda are making their third attempt to feature in Morocco this year, and Botes believes a lot of intervention is needed to fast-track the process of closing the gap.

"In terms of us qualifying, it's going to be very difficult but we have to work tirelessly on the local-based players now – it's something we had a meeting with the president that maybe CAF should consider we have a CHAN for women," said Botes.

"Because we have a lot of – the bulk of our team consists of local players, and I really would want us to see the level of Violah Nambi, Resty Nanziri, Phiona Nabbumba, Joan Nabirye, their level is so high and we need to get the local players to another level.

"So we've got to do much more now, focus and invest more into our local league players so that we don't become so dependent on the international players."

Botes named 39 players in her preliminary squad as Uganda prepare to host Ethiopia on Friday, 21 February, before the away fixture five days later in Addis Ababa, and says they have opted to mix youth and experience.

"I must add that I've seen Ethiopia have include seven or eight of their under-20 players into their squad, which we played against when we were at the All-Africa Games in Ghana so it really augurs well for their future," she noted.

"But we've also done that one our side, to bring in some younger players and try to see how we can blend them with the more experienced players."

READ: Mazembe target FIFA Women’s Club World Cup qualification