The inaugural CECAFA U-18 Women’s Championship came to an end on Friday 04th August, 2023 with hosts Tanzania lifting the championship unbeaten.
On the final day of the tournament, Tanzania defeated Uganda 1-0 to lift the championship, thanks to Winifrida Gerald‘s first half goal.
But how did Uganda fail to win the championship despite coming into the last game as the table leaders and only needing a draw to lift the maiden championship?
Below are the reasons why Uganda failed to lift the Championship despite scoring the most goals in the championship and the fighting spirit displayed;
Uganda proved to be flawless against their first three opponents beating Ethiopia 1-0 in the opener, before humiliating Burundi 7-0 and defeating Zanzibar 3-0.
Losing the last game against hosts Tanzania, showed some of the weaknesses of the team despite of the good show in the campaign.
Lack of Experience
In Tanzania’s game, Uganda played under pressure failing to control the game. The midfield trio of Agnes Nabukenya, Krusum Namutebi and captain Phionah Nabulime proved that they lacked experience for such big games.
Uganda was a ‘one man’s army‘ since head coach Ayub Khalifah had no assistant coach who would have been helpful for tactical and other technical set-ups.
Key player suspension
Ayub Khalifah missed the services of the team’s best natural center forward Allen Nassazi who missed the final game due to accumulated cards.
Nassazi came off the bench in the opening game and scored a beautiful winning goal for Uganda against stubborn Ethiopia and was expected to do the same in the last game at least to get the needed draw.
Weakened Squad
The team also missed the services of Hadijah Nandago, Catherine Nagadya and Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, who were all left behind to train with their new club Kampala Queens FC.
Shakirah Nyinagahirwa was the 2022/23 FUFA Women Super League top scorer and MVP and her abilities and leadership would have helped the team.
The 2023 FUFA Women’s Cup MVP Catherine Nagadya could have been one of the best performers of the team having played for U-17, U-20 and scored on her senior team debut.
A player who was a captain for Uganda Martyrs last season surely was going to be more helpful than any forward that traveled with the team.
Catherine Nagadya
Hadijah Nandago scored 8 goals and assisted 6 times last season in the FUFA Women Super league and she has also played for all levels of the national team.
Just imagine if Ayub Khalifah had the services of the league’s best player Nyinagahirwa, FUFA Women’s Cup best player Nagadya and utility player Nandago in his starting lineup, the championship was surely coming home.
However, the absence of the trio gave players such as Krusum Namutebi, Agnes Nabukenya, and Odalu Immaculate an opportunity to shine at the national team and gain experience to develop their talents.
Some of the players who featured in the games, were playing for the national team for the first time in a competitive tournament including Allen Nassazi, Agnes Nabukenya, Patricia Nanyanzi, Patricia Nayiga, Odalu Immaculate, among others.
Home field advantage
Tanzania had an advantage of playing the tournament on their home soil and in the final against Uganda, fans turned up in huge numbers to support them, which helped the team to perform at its best.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR UGANDA?
Now, Ayub Khalifah will shift focus on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers that will start in October this year and Uganda who got a bye in round one, will face Mozambique in round two.
Uganda will host the first leg between 6th and 8th, before the return leg a week later.
The winner on aggregate will face either Senegal or Benin in the third round in November.
In the last edition, Uganda was humiliated and eliminated by Ghana 7-1 on aggregate.
Only two qualified teams from Africa will play at the finals of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The final tournament of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, will be hosted by Colombia from 5th to 22nd September 2024.
It will be the third time that Colombia has hosted a FIFA tournament. It will also be the first time that Colombia has hosted a FIFA women’s tournament.
The competition has seen four past champions; USA, Germany, Japan and Korea DPR
Courtesy Photos
