Cameroon came from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw against Uganda in the first leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier.
Agnes Nabukenya‘s first half goal was cancelled out by Ernestine Heutchou‘s second half goal in a game played at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
In the first thirty minutes of the game, Uganda’s goalkeeper Lillian Nakilya was the best player on the pitch making good saves to deny Cameroon’s attack.
In the 33rd minute, Esther Nangendo won the ball in midfield and released Shadia Babirye who made a run and cut inside to find Agnes Nabukenya inside the box, and the latter smashed the ball past the goalkeeper to put Uganda in the lead.
With ten minutes into the second half, the visitors equalized through Ernestine Heutchou. She beat her marker and curled the ball from outside the box to beat the Lillian Nakilya to level the scores.
Cameroon continued to dominate the game but they were not clinical in front of the goal with striker Fraiche Melong missing two chances.
In the last five minutes of the game, Uganda’s forward Slyvia Kabene survived a red card after an open boot on the Cameroon goalkeeper.
At the death of the game, Agnes Nabukenya stretched her muscles with a shot from outside the box but it went a few inches from the crossbar.
The second leg between Uganda and Cameroon will be played next weekend in Youande, Cameroon and will determine which team will progress to the next qualifying round.
Photo Credit: FUFA Women
