Uganda U20 Women’s National Football Team, the Queen Cranes played out a one-all draw with hosts Ghana to confirm their place in the semifinals of the ongoing African Games 2023.
In the game played on Friday at Cape Coast Stadium, Uganda took the lead through Catherine Nagadya fired Uganda but Ghana were able to level matters through Abdulai Mukarama.
Prior to the match, Uganda had already know their fate and had confirmed their place into the last four after Ethiopia and Tanzania played out a one-all draw in the earlier game.
The result meant that Tanzania ended with two points while Ethiopia managed to pick just one point from the three games and thus could not go beyond Uganda that had four points before facing Ghana.
Coach Sheryl Botes made two changes from the team that had defeated Ethiopia with Krusum Namutebi replacing suspended Shakirah Nankwanga in defence.
The other change saw Immaculate Kizza start ahead of Juliet Nalukenge.
Nagadya who opened the scoring in the 10th minute, tapping the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
Docus Lwalisa set up Shamusa Najjuma from a free kick and the latter’s strike deflected off a Ghanian defender before setting perfect for Nagadya to flick home.
The hosts equalized in the 36th minute through Mukarama who turned off Namutebi before firing beyond goalkeeper Sharon Kaidu.
Neither side could find the winning goal in the remaining minutes and thus the game ended in a one-all draw.
The result means Ghana finish top of Group A on seven points and will face Senegal in the semifinals.
Uganda on the other end finished with five points in second place and will take on Nigeria who topped Group B.
The semifinals for the Women’s Football Tournament will be played on Monday at Cape Coast Stadium.
