Tuesday, September 26
•Algeria 1-1 Uganda
(Aggregate 3-2)
Uganda Senior Women’s national football team, the Crested Cranes, failed to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following their 1-1 draw against Algeria in a return leg game held in Oran on Tuesday.
Naima Bouthenni scored early in the first half for Algeria while Fauzia Najjemba (penalty) scored for Uganda in the 68th minute as Uganda bowed out at the Qualification stage.
It was another poor day for Uganda who were seeking to make a third appearance at the continental showpiece.
Heading to Algeria, Uganda needed a 2-0 win to overturn the first leg defeat that saw Uganda loose 2-1 earlier last week on Wednesday at home.
Head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, despite naming a more attack-minded team that had the likes of Violah Nambi, Fauzia Najjemba upfront, they failed to live up to the expectations.
And they conceded first once again early in the game after Algeria scored through Naima.
The task became even more harder after Captain Hasifah Nasuuna got injured before even the break.
In the second half, Najjemba levelled matters with eight minutes past the hour mark through the spot, a goal that brought hopes to the Crested Cranes side.
But even after finding one, they failed to find a breakthrough despite going down fighting.
Algeria, who now advanced to the next qualification stage, will now face Burundi, who beat Ethiopia on penalties on Tuesday.
But where did all go Wrong for Crested Cranes?
The team, preparing for these Qualifers was highlighted with the head coach dilemma.
The Federation (FUFA) had initially appointed Abdallah Mubiru for the Assistant coach role just before the Algeria double header.
But later before the first leg, Mubiru turned down his new role and Khalifa was therefore handed the task to lead the team.
But things went from bad to worse when the Crested Cranes lost 2-1 at home last week at Njeru.
And heading to Algeria for the second leg, it was ideally a huge task for a side that looked poor while at home.
In Oran, they conceded first making the task more harder for the team.
Despite finding a leveller through Najjemba in the second half, they found hard to break a more organized Algeria side that was playing at their own home.
And now, the team will embark on preparations for the next qualifications, just like the senior men’s team that also failed the same task recently.
Team Lineups:
Algeria – N’gazi Chloe GK, Belkhiter Morgane, Khezami Roseline, Guellati Sofia, Chebel Imane, Dafeur Marine, Quld Braham Amira, Boussaha Lina, Boutaleb Ines, Bouthenni Naima, Batouri Shana
Uganda – Vanessa Karungi GK, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya, Phiona Nabumba, Sumaya Komuntale, Joan Nabirye, Hasifa Nasuuna, Sandra Nabweteme, Violah Nambi, Joanitah Ainembabazi, Fauzia Najjemba
