Defensive errors cost Uganda as Rwanda equalizes late in the First Leg

The Uganda Senior Women National Team, Crested Cranes, were denied a first-leg advantage as they bottled the lead twice to share spoils with She Amavubi.

The game played at Kigali Pele Stadium ended 3-3 in the first leg of the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Mukahirwa put the visitors in the lead in the 33rd minute when Crested Cranes failed to clear the ball from the corner out of danger and Mukahirwa picked the ball inside the 12-yard box and put it into the back of the net.

Before the break, teenager Shakirah Nyinagahirwa netted a screamer when she hit the ball from the rebound outside the 18-yard box to equalize for the home team.

Into the second half, left back Sumaya Komuntale smartly passed to Fauzia Najjemba who was fouled by the goalkeeper Joselyne Mukantaganira and the referee awarded a penalty to Uganda. Hasifah Nassuna stepped up and calmly took the penalty and scored to put Uganda in the lead.

In the 66th minute, defender Shadia Nankya fouled outside the box and Rwanda were awarded a free kick, Libelle Nibagwire sent the ball to the top right corner to beat poorly positioned Ruth Aturo to level matters.

In the 70th minute, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa almost netted her second when she hit a powerful shot outside the box but was denied by the goalkeeper.

Substitute Fazila Ikwaput netted the third goal with her first touch inside the box from Samalie Nakacwa’s well-delivered cross to put Uganda in the lead again.

With only 4 minutes to the final whistle, Crested Cranes failed to keep the lead as Aisha Nantongo failed to clear the ball and Usanase Zawadi ran in front of her and struck the ball into the back of the net to equalize at the death of the game.

The 3-3 draw between Uganda and Rwanda in the first leg means that Uganda will need to win the second leg with any goal margin to qualify for the next round.

Crested Cranes will visit Rwanda on Sunday 16th July 2023 in the second leg in Huye and the winner on aggregate will advance to the next round and will play Cameroon.

It should be noted that the away goal rule is valid in this tournament and if any loss or 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2 draw for Crested Cranes, they will be out of the tournament for the second time in a row after that defeat against Ethiopia back in 2019.