Saturday, April 6
Uganda 0-1 Ethiopia
(Ethiopia win 4-2 on aggregates)
Uganda’s Women National Football team, the Crested Cranes have bowed out of the CAF Africa 2020 Olympic Qualifiers.
The team lost 1-0 to Ethiopia at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo in the return leg. Uganda had lost 3-2 in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia, the better team on the day, scored through Loza Abera who showed composure before slotting home in the second half.
Ethiopia will face Cameroon at the round of 16. Ethiopia Coach Selam Zeray noted:
“It was a tough game, the second leg was much harder, we had promised to qualify to the next stage. In general we were the better team and we won.”
Blunt Uganda, Second Best.
After losing 3-2 in the first leg, Crested Cranes were the slight favourites to go through – The team just needed at least a 1-0 win to reach the second round.
Coach Farida Bulega will forever be taken as a villain in this loss, after leaving out an attacking amoury of Lilian Mutuuzo, Sandra Nabweteme and Juliet Nalukenge from the starting XI.
Uganda created less in the game they slightly dominated but the visitors looked a better team on the ball and far much better organised at the back.
Resty Nanziri, from a tight angle, fired over the bar when she was put through by Fauziah Najjemba inside the first stanza before Fazila Ikwaput had a shot deflected for a corner inside the first 15 minutes.
Hassifa Nassuna had a freekick go an inch close, Grace Aluka had a curler, after cutting inside, easily collected. Fazila Ikwaput also had her effort from outside the box rattle the crossbar.
With Mutuuzo, Riticia Nabbosa and Nabweteme introduced on, the team started to take shape in the attack but failed to break through.
The little youngster Mutuuzo had some impressive runs dashing from the right flank but she was always fouled before she changed the wing.
The team’s better chance fell to Shadia Nankya who headed Nassuna’s freekick over the bar.
Teams Used:
Crested Cranes XI
Ruth Aturo (GK), Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, , Resty Nanziri, Tracy Jones Akiror, Fazila Ikwaput, Hasifa Nasuna and Fausiah Najjemba.
Ethiopia
Beyoro Abayinesh (GK), Ware Birtuylan Gebrekristo, Asfaw Emebet Adisu, Aymeku Bizuayehu Tadese, Kara Meskerem Kanko, Mekonnen Nardos Getenet, Denise Senaf Wakuma, Kidane Serkadis Guta, Loza Abera, Buwoli Hiwot Dengiso, Tesfamariam Meselu Abera.
