The Uganda women’s national team, the Crested Cranes, bounced back from their opening loss to Burundi with a commanding 5–0 victory over South Sudan in their second game of the ongoing CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Tanzania.
After losing to Burundi in the first match, the Crested Cranes responded in style on Sunday evening at the Azam Complex.
Uganda’s goals came in the first half, with Sylvia Kabene netting a hat-trick, while Shamirah Nalugya and Zainah Namuleme also found the back of the net. Kabene’s performance earned her the Woman of the Match award.
Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes said the team had to win this game and by a large margin to keep their hopes in the tournament alive.
‘Today’s win was really important for us to stay in the tournament. We knew we had to score many goals, so we changed the formation by bringing in two strikers to reduce pressure on the midfield. We had analysed South Sudan’s game against Tanzania and noticed their defensive line sits high and leaves space behind, so we planned to exploit that,’ Botes explained.
Kabene, who scored a hat-trick, credited her teammates for their teamwork and support.
‘I thank the Almighty for this win. I managed to score three goals and was named Woman of the Match. I appreciate my teammates for their teamwork and my coach for giving me the opportunity to play today,’ she said.
‘As I said earlier, if I am given a chance on the national team, I will make the most of it and that’s what I did today. All I want is to make myself proud and make Busoga proud by scoring more goals for the Crested Cranes,” Kabene added.
Crested Cranes starting line-up vs South Sudan: Lillian Nakiirya (GK), Jolly Kobusingye, Desire Katisi Natooro, Zainah Namuleme (C), Margaret Kunihira, Jovia Nakagolo, Shamirah Nalugya, Docus Lwalisa, Jamilah Nabulime, Sylvia Kabene, and Zainah Nandede.
