Uganda U-17 women’s national team, the Teen Cranes, have booked their place in the semi-finals of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship after beating Zanzibar 3-0 on Tuesday.
Needing a win to secure qualification with a game to spare, Uganda delivered a composed performance at KMC Stadium to make it two victories from two matches in Group B.
The Teen Cranes dominated possession but had to wait until the closing stages of the first half to break the deadlock. Their pressure finally paid off in the 44th minute when Zanzibar defender Maintain Shadia turned Shadia Nabirye’s dangerous delivery into her own net.
Uganda returned for the second half with the same intensity and doubled their lead in the 58th minute through Immaculate Acen.
With Zanzibar struggling to mount a response, the Teen Cranes remained in control and put the result beyond doubt when Justine Ayerango added a third goal late in the match.
The victory moves Uganda onto six points and guarantees a place in the last four ahead of their final group match against South Sudan on June 18.
Having secured qualification, the Teen Cranes will now look to finish the group stage strongly and carry momentum into the knockout rounds as they continue their quest for regional glory.
