Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes explained her decision to exclude goalkeeper Ruth Aturo from the squad traveling to Ethiopia for the second leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
Botes stated that Aturo sustained an injury during the first leg, necessitating her omission. Lilian Nakirya will serve as the backup goalkeeper, with Daisy Nakaziro as the first choice.
“Ruth Aturo, our first goalkeeper had a challenge. After medical examination, we found out that she is not in position now to give us what we need,” she said.
KFM understands that the team arrived safely in Addis Ababa and held a training session on Sunday evening. The Crested Cranes will face Ethiopia on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Abebe Bikila Stadium, carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
The aggregate winner will advance to play either Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea in the final hurdle of the qualifiers.