Crested Cranes Qualify For Women AFCON 2022 After Kenya Pull-out

The Uganda National Senior Women Football team, the Crested Cranes has qualified for the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations after the withdrawal of their opponents Kenya.

The Crested Cranes were set to face rivals Harambee Starlets over two legs next month to decide which teams qualifies for the event.

However, Kenya has communicated to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that they have pulled out. The development means the Crested Cranes automatically qualify for the event to be hosted by Morocco from July 2-23rd, 2022.

According to a statement released by the local soccer governing body- FUFA, today, Crested Cranes will not play the final round because their opponents Kenya have withdrawn from the qualifiers.  

According to FUFA, they received a statement from CAF which informed them about the unfortunate withdrawal of Kenya from the qualifiers. “We regret to inform you that we have just received Kenya FA a correspondence informing us of their withdrawal from Women AFCON- Morocco 2022. Consequently, matches 45 and 46 are canceled as well as the missions of all designated officials. Uganda is automatically qualified to the next round of the competition," reads the CAF letter.

To reach the final round, Crested Cranes eliminated Ethiopia, while the Harambee Starlets saw off South Sudan.

This will be the second appearance for Crested Cranes at the Africa Women Cup of Nations with the first coming in 2000.