Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Sheryl Botes after unveiling in 2023
Search
KAMPALA
South African women's football tactician Sheryl Ulanda Botes has parted ways with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), two months before the expiry of her three-year contract.
Although a brief statement released by the Mengo-based football governing body on Sunday evening did not explicitly mention her dismissal, Botes' departure comes amid a run of poor performances by the senior national team and the junior national teams.
“Crested Cranes Head Coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes and Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) have mutually agreed not to continue and extend the contract, with immediate effect, ending her three-year tenure. FUFA would like to thank Sheryl for the good work done and wish her the best in the future. It is Our Game, It is Our Country,” FUFA said in a statement.
Botes was appointed by FUFA to take charge of the national women's teams in November 2023, taking over from Charles Ayeikho. She signed a three-year contract on November 23, 2023.
The former South African Football Association (SAFA) Girls' Soccer Academy head coach arrived with a backroom staff that included David Ribeiro as goalkeeping coach, Ashley De Beer as sports scientist and Phuphu Mohlaba as video analyst.
However, Botes did not secure a major achievement with any of Uganda's national women's teams during her tenure. The Crested Cranes missed out on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), while Uganda's U17 and U20 teams were eliminated from their respective FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaigns by Kenya and Ghana.
Ulanda Botes with Crested Cranes captain Viola Nambi
Her departure comes just 14 days before Uganda's upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifier against Zambia's Copper Queens.
Botes had already summoned a provisional squad of 34 players to begin preparations for the two-legged encounter.
Uganda will host Zambia in the first leg in Kampala on October 8, before travelling to Lusaka for the return leg on October 13.
FUFA has not yet named an interim coach to take charge of the Crested Cranes as Uganda seeks to advance past Zambia and continue its bid to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.
