Uganda U17 women’s coach, Sheryl Botes, remains confident that her team can turn the tables in Nairobi after a 2-0 home defeat to Kenya in their World Cup qualifier.The loss came last Saturday when Kenya’s Junior Starlets visited Kampala and delivered a strong performance in the second-round first-leg match. Kenya’s Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola found the back of the net, helping secure a vital away win for their team.##NAJAVA_MECA_8762776##Though Uganda displayed more resilience in the second half, they failed to break down Kenya’s defense, which was solidly marshaled by Elizabeth Ochaka and Lorine Ilavonga.Despite the defeat, the Ugandan camp is preparing for the return leg, scheduled for Sunday positively with the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi expected to host the encounter. Pundits believe Uganda faces an uphill task in reversing the scoreline in Nairobi but coach Sheryl Botes remains undeterred.Trends Gen Z are using to reshape Kenyan football cultureShe expressed her belief that her team still has a fighting chance in the tie. Reflecting on their previous performance, Botes highlighted her pride in how her players handled the match.”I am proud of the girls and how they fought. If it was the team that played against Namibia, we would have been destroyed,” she remarked.Botes was particularly impressed with Uganda’s second-half display, which gave her hope for the return leg. She spoke optimistically about their chances of coming back from the 2-0 deficit, referencing their senior side, the Crested Cranes, who had recently come back from a similar situation in a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.Stars Abroad: Okumu features as Reims’ struggles persist”We saw things in the second half that convinced us that we can do better in Nairobi. We now have to take the game to Kenya and try to win the tie,” Botes added.On the Kenyan side, coach Mildred Cheche was pleased with the win but acknowledged areas for improvement ahead of the second leg. She pinpointed midfield and defense as key areas that need strengthening before the match in Nairobi.“We have a lot of areas that we need to improve in, especially midfield and the defense line, and hopefully we will make the necessary changes at home,” Cheche stated, outlining her tactical adjustments for the upcoming clash.England-based Harambee Stars prospect set for lengthy spell out with injuryDespite their two-goal advantage, Cheche cautioned that the tie was far from decided.”Two goals are not enough to secure qualification to the next round. We have a hard task to ensure that we keep a clean sheet at home and probably add a goal or two,” she warned.Benni McCarthy reveals Harambee Stars’ CHAN goal
