The Uganda National women team Crested Cranes are delivering on all fronts but leaving their doubters in the cold corner following two wins out of two matches in the ongoing CECAFA Women Challenge Cup in Rwanda.
Having dislodged neighbours and rivals Kenya on Thursday (1-0), the Crested Cranes handled by Faridah Bulega kept their feet on the ground to plan for the downfall of Ethiopia on Saturday.
The one day rest played the magic and when the ladies got the chance to return to action today, they played gallantly and with the heart to secure three points. However, they fell to a first-half goal in the 39th minute but that didn’t deter their spirits as they kept on searching for the leveller.
Left fullback Grace Aluka who hit the cross bar on Thursday against Kenya from the free-kick, got it better this time against Ethiopia when the opportunity came her way to get the equaliser for Crested Cranes to make it 1-1 after the break.
Another pivotal player in the defence of the Crested Cranes Yudaya Nakayenze was on the mark with a header after a free kick was delivered by right back Viola Namuddu.
‘The Ethiopians are technically good. They have speed. We conceded 4 goals in the last edition of the CECAFA in Njeru but today is my day. The players followed the instructions. We now have six points but we shall not relax till the last day of the tournament’
Crested Cranes Substitutions made; Naluyimba Esther for Nabbumba Phionah, Namwase Monica for Zaina Namuleme and Bridget Nabisalu for Spencer Nakachwa.
Unused substitutes; Daisy Nakaziro 19 (GK), Aisha Namukisa 2, Daniela Favour Nambatya 12, Winnie Babirye 14 and Alupo Norah 15.
Later, Mwanahalima Adam scored directly form a corner kick to earn Harambee Starlets a point against Tanzania in their second game of the CECAFA Semior Women Championship that ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday 21 July in Kigali-Rwanda.
Tanzania who had beaten Starkets in the last edition’s finals held in Uganda took the lead in the 13th minute through Donisia Daniel who released a thunderbolt from the edge of the box past a hapless custodian Poline Atieno but Dogo restored parity for the David Ouma coached side in the 21st minute.
The two sides’ most recent encounter was in an Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) Qualifier in April 2018, which Kenya won 1-0 on aggregate. The first leg had ended 1-0 in favor of the Starlets in Machakos with the second leg ending in a barren stalemate in Kampala.
The Kenyan side has never lost to Uganda in the past meetings. They first faced off in July 2016 and Kenya got a 4-0 win in the tie played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. The sides then met in the CECAFA Women Championship in Uganda and Kenyan once again won 4-0.
In those meeting, Kenyan has scored nine goals and has never conceded. David Ouma charges have only failed to score once in the clashes. They will be hoping to replicate the 2016 performance that saw them reach the finals only to lose to Tanzania.
The Kenyan’s campaign in 2016 campaign Kenyan was in Pool A and their impressive run saw them top Pool A. The side started off with a 4-0 win, whipped Burundi 4-0 and whipped Zanzibar 11-0. In the Semifinals the side picked a 3-2 win.
The side got a 2-1 loss in the finals against Tanzania but Esse Akida walked away with the golden boot after scoring six goals. The 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship was the second edition of the association football tournament for women’s national teams in the East African region. The first edition was hosted in 1986 and won by Zanzibar.
It was held in Jinja, Uganda between 11 and 20 September 2016. There were no sponsors besides the Uganda Football Association.
Starting XI
Poline Atieno (GK), Lilian Adera, Dorcas Shikobe, Elizabeth Ambogo, Vivian Nasaka, Ruth Ingosi, Cynthia Shilwatso, Mercy Achieng, Mwanahalima Adam, Neddy Atieno, Esse Akida
Substitutes
Monica Karambu (GK), Phelistus Kadari, Wendy Achieng, Anita Adongo, Cheris Avilia, Carolyne Anyango, Sheryl Angachi