The Uganda Senior Women’s National Football Team, the Crested Cranes, endured a painful elimination from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers after falling to Ethiopia in a dramatic second-leg encounter at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Uganda succumbed to a spirited Ethiopian comeback, losing 2-0 in normal time before suffering a 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout.
Aregash Kalsa and Etsegenet Girma were Ethiopia’s heroes, netting crucial goals to level the aggregate score at 2-2 and force the game into spot-kicks.
Uganda had chances to seal qualification early on but failed to capitalize, with Resty Nanziri and Fazila Ikwaput misfiring. Ethiopia, too, missed key opportunities in the first half before stepping up the pressure after the break.
The game took a decisive turn in the 55th minute when Uganda was reduced to 10 players following Fazila Ikwaput’s second booking. Ethiopia took advantage, with Kalsa scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 66th minute.
Uganda held on desperately to their aggregate lead, but in the dying moments of added time, Girma curled in a brilliant free kick to force a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Phiona Nabbumba struck the post for Uganda, while Daisy Nakaziro made a crucial save against Senaf Wakuma. However, Ethiopian goalkeeper Terikwa Bergena denied Resty Kobusobozi, sealing Ethiopia’s triumph.
Ethiopia will now face Tanzania in the final qualification stage, with the latter eliminating Equatorial Guinea 4-2 on aggregate.
For Uganda, head coach Sheryl Botes Ulanda will shift focus to the Uganda U17 Girls’ National Team, the Teen Cranes, as they gear up for their 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Kenya on March 8th in Uganda.
