Uganda’s U-17 national team, popularly known as the Teen Cranes, has entered the final phase of preparation for their upcoming international friendly against Zimbabwe.
Head coach Sadiq Sempigi has summoned a provisional squad of 30 players ahead of the two-match series scheduled for early April 2026.
The friendly matches are part of the team’s build-up towards major youth competitions, including the CECAFA U-17 Championship and the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers later in the year.
The provisional squad brings together promising talents from various clubs across the Uganda Premier League, second division, and school teams.
Coach Sempigi is expected to trim the squad down to a final 20–23 players after the residential camp.
The matches against Zimbabwe will give the young Cranes valuable exposure against a competitive side and help the technical team assess the players’ readiness at the international level.
Uganda has been investing heavily in youth football development in recent years, with the Teen Cranes consistently producing talents who have graduated to the senior Cranes and various European clubs.
