The Uganda Women Senior National Team, the Crested Cranes, have defeated Tanzania Women Senior Team, the Twiga Stars, 3-1 in a friendly game played today at MTN-Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Tanzania scored the opening goal of the game in just two minutes when Oppa Clement headed in to put her side in the lead, after sloppy defensive play by Crested Cranes.
Uganda got the first chance to get a goal when teenager Shakirah Nyinagahirwa hit a powerful shot outside the box but her shot went few inches over the crossbar.
In the 31st minute, Catherine Nagadya netted the equalizer with a simple tap in from Fauzia Najjemba‘s brilliant spadework low cross and it was her first goal with Crested Cranes, as she was making her senior debut.
Into the second half, Uganda looked to be more dangerous hunting for the second goal as Hasifah Nassuna beat her opponent with a flick and took a powerful shot but was denied by the goal post.
The visitors were on the receiving end but continued to hold Uganda not to score the second goal.
Crested Cranes completes the comeback
In the 86th minute, Fauzia Najjemba scored the second goal for Uganda after the Tanzania goalkeeper Hasnat Ubamba failed to deal with Samalie Nakacwa’s long cross.
Two minutes later, substitute Margret Kunihira scored a stunner when she played a one-two with Shakirah Nyinagahirwa and Kunihira dribbled past a defender and sent a powerful shot to the far left corner to send the fans in Lugogo wild.
The center referee Josephine Wanjiku ended the game as Uganda brilliantly defeated Tanzania in an international friendly.
Crested Cranes will now shift focus to the next week’s 2024 Olympic qualifier game against Rwanda that will be played on Wednesday 12th July 2023 at Kigali Pele Stadium.
The second leg will come five days later in Huye, Rwanda to determine who will qualify for the next round.
The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Rwanda will face Cameroon in the next qualifying stage.
Crested Cranes starting XI
Ruth Aturo (GK), Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nantongo, Samalie Nakacwa, Shadia Nankya, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Catherine Nagadya, Fauzia Najjemba, Sandra Nabweteme.
Twiga Stars starting XI
Hasnat Ubamba, Fatuma Issa, Noela Luhala, Winifrida Gerld, Aisha Juma, Oppa Clement, Diana Lucas, Koku Kipanga, Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila, Husna Mtunda, Vaileth Nicholaus.
