The Uganda Crested Cranes on Thursday made it to the semifinals of the 2016 edition of the CECAFA women football championship following a group A 1-0 win over Burundi at the hosting FUFA technical grounds Njeru.
On colour striker Fazila Ikwaput scored the lone goal at the stroke of half time, after lashing on to a wise high ball from QPR Ladies star Jean Seninde and looped the advancing Burundi keeper.
The hosts finished on 6 points and second to group A leaders Kenya who had a 11-0 thumping of Zanzibar in the earlier game.
Uganda will play Tanzania the semis are slated for Sunday at 3.30pm.
After making it to the semis, www.fufa.co.ug brings you the reactions from some of the Uganda Crested Cranes players expressing their feeling towards the achievement.
1-Ruth Aturo – The team’s first choice keeper who has kept two clean sheets after conceding 4 in the team’s first game against Kenya says she is grateful to the team and God.
I feel nice that we managed to make it to the semis. It was going to be a bad feeling as hosts, if we failed to get through.
I thank God, the coaches, the Federation and of all, the fans, who managed to come in such big numbers and supported us.
There is no better way to appreciate them. We shall try by all means to make them happy by making it to the finals
2-Hasfa Nasuna – She has four goals on the score sheet, and the second highest scorer.
Of course I feel very good for the achievement and as the hosting nation, we have progressed and I also have to give a big thank you to the fans who have given us continued support especially in the last game yesterday which motivated us more to the win.
3-Christine Wanyana – She is the team captain and center half.
Having made it to the semis is such a big motivation to the team and the players have a great feeling that they are superb now to go all the way. A big thanks to the federation and the organizers of this tournament – FUFA and CECAFA.
4-Fazila Ikwaput – She is donning the national jersey for the first time and her debut has turned out such a flourishing one for the Divine Stars striker in Soroti.
Her swift movement, dribbling and eye on goal, has caught the eye of the hundreds of fans to whom she has become a darling.
She has scored three goals so far in the two games she has played and her smart slot yesterday propelled the team to the semis.
I feel proud to be part of this great team and I feel so good to have scored the goal that led the team to the semis. I thank the teammates and the entire fans. I promise to work more hard because I love my country
5-Otandeka Laki is the American born Ugandan striker who plays in the US.
This is her debut on the national women football team.
I am feeling so great for the team and having made it through to the semis. I believe in my teammates and we shall work extra hard and make it to the finals
6-Joan Nakirya has played all the three group games on the left full back, she also believes they team can go all the way.
I am happy for the progress and looking forward to the team’s progress to the finals because we are now more motivated and the fans are that wonderful with that support
