KAMPALA: Uganda Crested Cranes has today edged Ethiopia 1-0 to reach the final of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.
Fazila Ikwaput netted the lone goal for the Crested Cranes in a tight semifinal contest that was played up to extra time after a goalless draw. Ikwaput’s goal came in the 115th minute of the game.
Before the end of the normal time, Crested strikers Sandra Nabweteme, Shamirah Nakugya and Ikwaput, made attempts to score but were not lucky enough to break the deadlock.
The regional tournament that started on June 1, 2022, at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, attracted eight teams chasing, the regional title. It will climax on Saturday.
Uganda produced an outstanding performance to complete the group fixtures with an unbeaten run, to reach the semi-finals, beating Rwanda 2-0 in the opener, defeating Djibouti 5-0 on match day two, and defeating Burundi 4-1 in the last group game. Uganda and Burundi will meet again in the final match after Burundi’s 2-1 victory against Tanzania.
Speaking after the game, Crested Cranes head coach, George William Lutalo commended his side for the spirited fight which helped them overcome the Ethiopia hurdle. He added that his side has been focused from the first game and he hopes to have a good display in the final against Burundi.
Crested Cranes captain Hasifa Nassuna believes that the victory against Ethiopia proved that they are the region’s heavyweights. This was the second time that the two teams were facing off after eliminating them in the AFCON qualifiers.
The two finalists, Uganda and Burundi are using the CECAFA Championship to prepare for the forthcoming TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
