We look back on a thrilling weekend that featured huge wins for Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, She Corporate FC including Jesca Namanda’s hat-trick and four stalemates.
Here is the full round-up of the weekend’s action.
Jesca Namanda’s hat-trick stuns Kampala Queens.
Lethal forward Jesca Namanda was the hero as She Corporate FC produced an inspired performance to stun champions Kamapala Queens FC 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. Jesca’s second-half hattrick handed Kampala Queens their first home defeat of the season.
In the build-up to the game, there was a notable rivalry between the two sides, and the game certainly lived to the billing. Kampala Queens head coach Firew Asefa implemented adjustments to the defensive shape, deploying Marrion Amangat in a central partnership with Esther Namusoke, while Captain Shakira Nankwanga assumed a role of shielding the defense. This tactical setup effectively meant that the queens began the match with a five-player defense line, a strategy evident throughout the first half, as the visitors dominated more possession and posed the greater attacking threat despite both teams creating limited scoring opportunities.
In the second half, similar to the previous encounter, the queens lack of defensive cohesion proved costly, with the sharks’ forwards expertly exploiting these lapses. Their pressing strategy disrupted the hosts attempts to build from the back, gifting the visitors two quick goals after the restart. Jesca Namanda opened the scoring in the 46th minute and scored a penalty six minutes later. Marrion pulled one back for the hosts, but Jesca quickly responded to restore the two-goal cushion. Kampala queens gave themselves hope six minutes past the hour-mark, Catherine Nagadya scored and mounted a more pronounced attacking threat pushing hard for an equalizer, but the sharks defense held firm, securing a 3-2 win.
The result gave She Corporate an enormous psychological lift in their title ambitions, while Firew Asefa’s side would not have been preparing for back-to-back defeats after making an impressive start to the campaign. Firew needs to find a way to raise the team’s energy levels to reignite their form in the final two first round fixtures.
What the coaches said:
‘I give credit to the opponents; they were more determined. we will review our performance and make the necessary adjustments,’ Sharon Kizza – Kampala Queens FC.
‘At half time, we identified the opponent’s tactic of building from the back, with countered this with more pressing, we scored three goals and secured important three points,’ Pande Cifu – She Corporate FC.
Dorcus Kisakye stars as Kawempe ease past Asubo Ladies.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies reinforced their solid campaign with a 3-0 victory against Asubo Ladies FC at St Mary’s Stadium, kitende. Agnes Nabukenya, Dorcus Kisakye and Asia Nakibuuka each scored a goal, securing the warriors 8th consecutive victory and maintaining their unbeaten record this season.
The warriors started brightly, as an already difficult task for Asubo ladies became tougher two minutes in, Agnes Nabukenya curled a powerful freekick past goalkeeper Olga Lukia to set the tone of proceedings. Asubo Ladies implemented a game plan aimed at frustrating the warriors, to which the latter responded by controlling possession and kept looking for openings. In truth, kawempe Muslim should have gone into half-time with more than one goal to the good, but Agnes Nabukenya’s failure to convert a penalty midway through the first half and the attacking unit’s wasted chances precluded this.
During the second half, the warriors dominance continued, with the visitors having limited time on the ball, woman of the match Dorcus Kisakye who has already endeared herself to the warriors fans since winning a spot in the starting XI this season cemented her place in their hearts with a precise finish from a brilliant team move to double the warriors lead in the 75th minute, two minutes later, Asia Nakibuuka sealed the 3-0 win for the hosts, lobbing the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper off Samalie’s brilliant pass. The result laid a significant marker as the title race takes shape. It’s a long run but the talk is likely turning to kawempe to win the title.
Four fixtures end in stalemates.
At Makerere University ground, Resty Kobusobozi scored her sixth goal of the season, giving Lady Doves FC a 1-0 halftime lead. However, Halima Kampi scored a penalty in the second half, rescuing a point for the home team, Makerere University WFC. The match was marked by limited chances, with both teams opting for long balls and creating few scoring opportunities. The believers star player Resty Kobusobozi was named the woman of the match.
Meanwhile, Rines SS WFC salvaged a point in stoppage time, scoring the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Amus College WFC at Kabaka Kyabaggu stadium. Esther Namataka had given the visitors the lead at halftime with a precise finish, but Prossy Akasa’s late goal denied them the third straight win. Amus College captain Tamisi Shafiga was named woman of the match.
Olila H/S WFC and She Maroons FC settled for a 1-1 draw at Olila Ground in soroti. The visitors took an early lead through Lillian Kasuubo’s impressive spot kick, but the hosts quickly equalized through Atwani Brenda, and the teams went into half time at a deadlock. The second half was a highly contested affair, but neither team could find the breakthrough, the score remained unchanged. Ayuro Daphine of Olila was named woman of the match.
Meanwhile, the match between St Noa Girls-Zana FC and Uganda Martyrs H/S WFC at Muteesa II Stadium ended in a goalless draw. The result highlighted the Lubaga based side resilient performance, securing a draw against an opponent that had demonstrated strong from in their preceding two matches. Angel Auki Kigongo was named the Woman of the match.
