Hosts Kenya Women National team-Harambe Starlets took the better of Uganda Crested Cranes’ lack of international exposure after a long lull to beat their rivals and neighbors 4-0 in an international friendly played at Moi Sports Stadium in Kisumu on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first international match for the Women senior team since Janaury 2012 against Democratic Republic of Congo however three years ago, the U-20 team played South Sudan and left them for dead by scoring 22 goals. Sandra Nabweteme who featured in that fixture against South Sudan was in the starting XI for Crested Cranes in Kisumu.
Christine Wanyana, Fatumah Matovu and an upcoming star player Stella Kaliba were part of teh senior team five years ago. The rest of the players in Kisumu today were representing their country for the first time at senior level.
It was totally a different story for the entire Crested Cranes coming from international wilderness of about five years as FUFA re-organised itself to create a viable structure for women development in Uganda that led to support from FIFA in form of equipment, courses and finances.
The match in Kisumu on Sunday is as a result of hard-work by various stakeholders in Uganda towards women football.
In the match proper, Kenya played like the hosts capitalising on the loose ends of Crested Cranes but Majidah Nantanda’s Ladies were holding on strong till the 16th minute when they conceded a a penalty that was converted by Mary Kinuthia. Just before the break, trouble brewed on the Crested Cranes side as first choice keeper Fatumah Matovu went for a challenge on a Kenyan player but resulted into a foul outside the penalty area which the day’s referee Wanjala did not hesitate in a warding a free kick.
Change had to be made as Joan Nakirya went off to pave way for Ruth Aturo to stand between the posts. She had not had enough time to warm up. Kenya took the lead from a free kick for the score to read 2-0 before they added two more for the match to end 4-0. Mary Kimuthia netted a brace while Wendy Achieng and Esse Akida also got their names on the scoresheet with a goal each.
Hasifah Nassuuna tried out a 40 yarder but went over the bar. Skipper Christine Wanyana showed her vast experience at the back by thwarting the aerial attacks while Shirazi Natasha went off before halftime but was a menace to the Kenyans with her skills and possession of the ball.
‘It was good trial match for the girls. It is a team with skill and talent. We shall go back home and start planning for the next championship in Kampala-CECAFA Women event’ said Majidah Nantanda shortly after the match.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo said ‘ Let us not look at the result. FUFA has created a pool of players from which the technical side can pick. The league and regional leagues are helping the players. Let’s plan for CECAFA Women championship in September’
With other foreign based players like Jean Sseninde expected to join the team in future from her base in UK, the Crested Cranes will be a team to beat.
‘I am still proud of everyone, the coaches, support team and players for the effort with little time we had to train. I am sure we shall build on that and do better with more support’ said Sseninde who plays for QPR Ladies in the England.
