2019 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship
Group A
Uganda 1-1 Zambia
Uganda began her expedition at the 2019 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship with a one-all draw against Zambia on Friday.
The team coached by Ayub Kalifa faced Zambia in the first game at the tournament played at St. Francois Xavier Stadium in Mauritius.
Captain Juliet Nalukenge gave Uganda the lead converting from the spot when midfielder Kevin Nakachwa was brought down in the area midway through the second stanza.
Zambia, however, equalized towards the end of the game for the game to end in a one-all stalemate.
Uganda made several inroads in the first half especially through Fauzia Najjemba and Nalukenge but failed to find the cutting edge.
On the other end, the defence line that had Stella Musubika, Bira Nadunga, Gillian Akadinda, and Patricia Akiror worked hard to tame Zambia.
At the start of the second stanza, coach Khalifa called for the first change introducing Catherine Nagadya for Zaitun Namaganda. Later on Margaret Kunihira paved way for Hadijah Nandago.
Midfielder Nakachwa made a sole run through the middle towards goal but was brought down inside the area as she attempted to shoot and the referee pointed to the spot.
Captain Nalukenge calmed her nerves to slot home the resultant penalty to give Uganda the lead.
She nearly doubled the lead when a fine cross from left-back Akiror met her unmarked inside the area but her volley went a few inches off target.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Zambia leveled matter when Shelly Masomo’s strike went past goalkeeper Nanyenga’s hands.
Mukono High School forward Fauzia Najjemba was named player of the match.
‘ We have created so many chances in the game but things did not work out as we had planned. We came for a win but a point is also vital for us. We shall work on a few mistakes before the next game.’ Said Uganda Girls U17 head Coach Ayub Khalifa during the post match interview
Uganda will return to action on Sunday against hosts Mauritius before winding up group games against Comoros on Tuesday next week.
Uganda U17 Starting XI
Daphine Nanyenga, Gillian Akadinda, Patricia Akiror, Stella Musubika, Bira Nadunga, Kevin Nakachwa, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Zaitun Namaganda, Juliet Nalukenge, Margaret Kunihira, Fauzia Najjemba
