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Botes wary of building backwards

Botes wants the Crested Cranes to keep going forward. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE

What you need to know:

Algeria, who qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of the Crested Cranes in October last year, won the first meeting 2-1 on Wednesday at the same stadium.

Ghoutia Karchouni converted a direct freekick in the 34th minute to give Algeria a 1-0 win over Uganda's in their second women's international friendly at Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida on Saturday. 

Algeria, who qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of the Crested Cranes in October last year, won the first meeting 2-1 on Wednesday at the same stadium.

But Uganda had the better second half on Wednesday and coach Sheryl Botes thought they would start with the same energy "pressing high and building from the back."

Largely, they did but in her own analysis, "the midfield" of Phionah Nabbumba, Joan Nabirye, and Joanita Ainembabazi "struggled to link up" and the latter two eventually made way for Yuster Kayeesu and Agnes Nabukenya.

When you look at Uganda's overall squad, Botes also has a number of young players and the inexperience can shine through at times.

"We are also trying to give every player an opportunity. We do not want to carry players here and just sit them on the bench. We also feel that the gap between those starting and those on the bench is narrowing," Botes said.

Pitches 

The coach, however, harbours fears that when the players return home, most of the principles she is instilling will be lost.

"When they go back home, they cannot build from the back but they will lose possession. The pitches are uneven and bumpy so it is difficult for the coaches in Uganda to encourage this style of play.

"I know that Fufa and the government of Uganda are trying to improve facilities and the girls really need that. If you look at Algeria, many of their players are in the top league in France, where the facilities are better."

Improvement 

Uganda's overall improvement in the four meetings with Algeria over the past one year were notable even to the former's goalkeeper Chloe N'Gazi.

"You can see the improvement, technically they are better. Tactically, they pressed with discipline, intensity and disrupted our patterns. But I can see that even physically, Uganda is much better than when we last played (in 2023)," N'Gazi said.

The Crested Cranes will reconvene during the next international window in February.

Uganda's defender Phiona Nabulime said they are "looking forward to improve, to play other sides with different approaches so we can see where to adjust, improve."

International Friendly (Women)

November 27: Algeria 2-1 Uganda

November 30: Algeria 1-0 Uganda