COSAFA U17 Women’s Championships
Uganda 1-1 Zambia
Xavier Stadium, Mauritius
Friday, 20-09-2019
The Uganda U17 Women’s national team conceded a late equalizer as they drew 1-1 with Zambia in their opening COSAFA championships in Mauritius.
Goalkeeper Daphne Nanyenga turned out to be the vilan as she fail to comfortably hold onto a routine shot with a few minutes to play.
Nanyenga let a Sherry Musomo shot slip through her grasps in the 83rd minutes as the two sides drew.
Earlier in the second half, Juliet Nalukenge had converted from the spot to hand Uganda the lead.
The skipper made no mistake from 12 yards after Kevin Kakachwa was brought down in the area midway the second period.
Uganda will next take on hosts Mauritius on Sunday before finishing the group stages with a date against Comoros.
Khalifa maintains faith in his initial set up
Uganda’s head coach Ayub Khalifa largely maintained the team that he has been starting in the practice games that they played before departing for Mauritius.
The backline saw Patricia Akiror partner Stella Musubika with Gillian Akadinda and Bira Nadunga offering the width infront of Musomo.
The midfield saw Nakachwa team up with Shakira Nyinagahirwa and Zaitun Namaganda.
Upfront, Fauzia Najjemba, Magraret Kunihira and Nalukenge lined up in search of goals.
At the start, the team struggled to maintain possession with Zambia asking most of the questions and dominating play.
As Zambia consistently pushed forward, Khalifa’s side resorted to counter attacks.
After the first half ended in a draw, Nakachwa surged forward and was brought down in the penalty area prompting which Nalukenge put away.
Nalukenge nearly doubled Uganda’s lead when she volleyed Akiror’s cross but the effort went off target.
Najjemba who looked lively throughout was named player of the match.
Uganda’s Starting XI
Daphine Nanyenga, Gillian Akadinda, Patricia Akiror, Stella Musubika, Bira Nadunga, Kevin Nakachwa, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Zaitun Namaganda, Juliet Nalukenge, Margaret Kunihira, Fauzia Najjemba