Uganda U17 Women’s national team pips Kampala select in practice match

Practice Match

Uganda U17 Women’s national team 2-1 Kampala Select team

FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru

Uganda’s Fixtures COSAFA Championship

20th September 2019 – Uganda vs Zambia

22nd September 2019 – Uganda vs Mauritius

24th September 2019 – Comoros vs Uganda

Uganda U17 Women’s national team put up a remarkable performance to overcome Kampala Select team in a practice match played on Wednesday morning at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

The team that entered camp on Sunday played their first practice game as they continue with preparations ahead of the 2019 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship that will take place between 20^th– 29^th September in Mauritius.

A spirited display saw the team under the stewardship of Ayub Khalifa win the test game 2-1 thanks to goals from captain Juliet Nalukenge and Shakira Nyinagahirwa.

Second-half substitute Ronah Nantege scored the consolation for the Kampala Select side that largely comprised of students from Kawempe Muslim and Mukono High School.

The national team had a couple of chances before Nyinagahirwa broke the deadlock but Nalukenge and Fauzia Najjemba were fluffed many.

As early as the 5^th minute, Nalukenge beat the entire Kampala select defence but failed to find the target.

Moments later, Najjemba went through on goal but her attempted lobe over the goalkeeper sailed a few inches over the bar.

Nyinagahirwa broke the deadlock at the 20th minute mark when she tapped home past advancing goalkeeper Esther Akujo in goal for Kampala Select team.

Najjemba was the provider for the goal with her long pass cutting across the defence line and met Nyinagahirwa at the far post. She calmly controlled and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

There were two changes for the national team made before the break introducing Maureen Nangozi and Catherine Nabukeera for Zaitun Namaganda and Kevin Nakachwa respectively.

The duration of the game was two hours with each half lasting 60 minutes.

In the second stanza, the rest of the players got the chance to play and the coach indicated, the practice match helped him assess the progress realised so far and where they need to improve.

“It was a good performance by the girls and I think we benefited a lot from the challenge we got from our opponents.

It is important to gauge where we stand and I am optimistic we will continue to improve in areas where we struggled today’ said Head Coach Ayub Khalifa

Uganda was invited to take part in the 2019 COSAFA championship and is placed in Group A alongside hosts Mauritius, Comoros and Zambia.

Group B has South Africa, Botswana, Seychelles and Madagascar with the tournament 20th -20th September 2019.

The team will be trimmed to a final list of 20 players that will travel for the tournament in Mauritius.

Uganda U17 Starting XI

Daphine Nanyenga, Esther Adokole, Partricia Akiror, Stella Musibika, Bira Naddunga, Kevin Nakachwa, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Zaitun Namaganda, Margaret Kunihira, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba

Kampala Select Starting XI

Esther Akujo, Naziz Florence, Maimuna Nakiranda, Mariam Nakabugo, Sarah Abonyo, Peninah Akuku, Atuhaire Christine, Tracy Kaire, Anita Namata, Margaret Nalubega, Mebel Kusasira

Group A

Mauritius

Comoros

Zambia

Uganda

Group B

South Africa

Botswana

Seychelles

Madagascar

Full squad

GOALKEEPERS: Nyayenga Daphine (Uganda Martyrs), Namusisi Joan (Mukono High), Nasasira Gift (Gadafi Integrated) and Kamuli Cecila (King of Kings).

DEFENDERS: Akalinda Gilian (Olila High School), Kabarwani Cissy (King of Kings), Nangozi Maureen (Mukono High School), Lwetuso Regina (Taggy High School), Musibika Stella (Kawempe Muslim) Abba Immaculate (Gadafi Integrated), Atwiine Precious (Upper Hill College), Akiror Patricia) and Shamirah Boonabaana.

MIDFIELDERS: Nakacwa Kevin (Uganda Martrys), Nakacwa Samali (Kawempe Muslim SS), Nyinagahirwa Shakira (Kawempe Muslim SS), Kunuhira Margret (Kawempe Muslim SS), Nyakato Ruth (King of Kings), Babirye Sarah (Kayindu SS), Abiyo Racheal (Olila High School), and Komuntale Sumayah (King of Kings) Kyomuhendo Sumayah (Kawempe Muslim).

FORWARDS: Nalukenge Juliet (Kawempe Muslim SS), Najjemba Fauzia (Mukono High), Nakiyingi Sophie (Gadafi Integrated), Nagadya Catherine (Katuuso Community SS), Nandede Zainah (Amus College), Namaganda Zaitun (Taggy High School), Nadunga Bira (Olila High School), Nandago Hadijah (Kawempe Muslim SS), Chandia Lillian (Alele SS) and Adokole Esther (Amus College).

MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Girls U17 players celebrating Shakira Nyinagahirwa’s goal