2019 CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship:
Match Day 4 Results (Sunday):
- Kenya 3-2 Burundi
- Eritrea 4-0 Djibouti
- Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Tanzania Girls U-17 team delayed the title celebrations for Uganda at the ongoing CECAFA U-17 Championship at FUFA Technical Center Njeru, after holding the hosts to a 1-1 draw in the third game of match day four on Sunday Evening.
The two high riding sides faced off in what was seemingly a final for table leaders Uganda before a fair crowd, a game that would seal the title for the hosts if they picked maximum points.
However, it was the Tanzanians that took the lead through reliable striker Aisha Khamis Masaka, who took advantage of a laxity between Kevin Nakacwa and Stella Musibika, to slot in through Daphine Nyayenga legs on 18 minutes.
The Ugandans and their cheering fans thought they had won a penalty, when center referee Caroline Wanjara pointed to the spot after spotting Tanzanian midfielder Thabea Aidano Munga for having handled in the area but reversed her decision.
But it took a few minutes before Uganda equalized, this time, Wanjara awarding a penalty for handball by the same Munga, following a corner kick by Uganda that dropped in the area that forced the Tanzanians to struggle clearing it leading into the handball.
FUFA Airtel awards female player of the year runner up Fauzia Najjemba made no mistake, easily beating Tanzanian custodian Asha Mrisho Ismail for the first half to end 1-1.
Uganda returned in the second half with an intent for the winner, but was only denied twice by the woodwork, first with reigning FUFA female player of the year Juliet Nalukenge shot coming off the crossbar and Shakila Nyinagahirwa also seeing her effort bouncing off the 90, with the Tanzanian keeper already beaten.
Uganda was missing right full-back Samalie Nakacwa due to sickness, and head Coach Ayub Khalifa blamed the draw on this
“We were missing our first choice defender and that destabilized our defense, but we prayed to our best not to lose today. We have a final and crucial game on Tuesday and we shall get back and plan on how we can win this game because it’s only the win that will give us the title,” Ayub said.
However, it was not on the good side with the Tanzanian coach Bakari Shime, who blamed the draw on poor officiating.
“We are not satisfied with the officiating today, because the referee was biased and gave away a penalty, but we are not out, and we shall play till the end of the event,” Shime said.
The draw left Uganda top on 10 points with Tanzania second on 8 points, and with Tanzania playing goalless and 37 goal deficit Djibouti, Uganda in a must win contest against Kenya on Tuesday if the home team is to win the title as the championship climaxes on Tuesday.
