Uganda, Burundi storm CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship semis
Uganda Crested Cranes and Burundi have qualified for the semi-final stage at the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Njeru, Uganda.
The two teams made it to the knock-out stage after the Crested Cranes picked a 5-0 win against Djibouti in the first Group A match played today at the FUFA Technical Centre.
Burundi also made sure they made it to the next stage with a hard fought 2-1 win against Rwanda in the second Group A match played as the regional tournament entered Day 3 on Friday.
In the earlier match Aisha Nantongo put Uganda in the lead after 15 minutes.
The Djibouti team continued to play a highly defensive game before Uganda’s defender Margret Namirimu shot from outside the box to make it 2-0.
After recess the Djibouti team tried to reorganize, but still lacked the fire power in attack. Uganda Crested Cranes added three more goals through Sandra Nabweteme, substitute Phiona Nabbumba and Fazila Ikwaput.
George Lutalo, the Uganda Crested Cranes coach says he was happy with the performance of his team. “It is good to score many goals and keep a clean sheet. We need to keep working hard to win our remaining group game against Burundi,” added Lutalo.
In the second match Burundi’s Sandrine Niyonkuru netted a brace to ensure they make it to the knock out stage. Niyonkuru gave Burundi the lead after 13 minutes, but Zawadi Usanase leveled matters for Rwanda.
The two teams came all out in the second half and created some good scoring opportunities.
Rwanda’s Joseyne Mukantaganira later brought down substitute Aneilla Uwimana in the box after 79 minutes and the referee pointed straight for a penalty. Niyonkuru stepped forward and converted the penalty kick with ease to make it 2-1.
The Burundi captain Djafari Asha said it was a sweet win against a strong Rwanda side. “We are happy to win our second match in the tournament and qualify for the semi-final,” added the captain.
Hosthene Habimana, the Rwanda coach said they were punished by the two mistakes committed by his defenders. “We are here to learn and get experience because we have not played in this tournament for some time,” he added.
Uganda now lead Group A with six points and a better goal difference than Burundi who also have the same number of points. The two sides who will also feature in the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2022 in July will face-off on Sunday to decide who leads the Group.
Action returns on Saturday with Group B matches as Ethiopia takes on Tanzania, and South Sudan facing Zanzibar in the second match.
(c) Photos @Cecafaonline