Uganda stuns South Africa to win 2019 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship

The Junior Crested Cranes celebrate after defeating South Africa in the COSAFA Women’s U17 Championships final on Sunday. (PHOTO/FUFA)

COSAFA U17 Women’s Championships
South Africa 1-2 Uganda
St. Francois Xavier Stadium, Port Luis
Sunday, 29-09-2019

The Uganda Women’s U17 national team emerged victorious in the 2019 COSAFA Women’s championships on Sunday.

Ayub Khalifa’s side who were only taking part as guests, produced another brilliant display as they dispatched favourites South Africa 2-1 at the Francois Xavier Stadium in Port Luis.

Once again it was the duo of Fauzia Najjemba and Juliet Nalukenge who led the way as they each scored once to improve their competition tallies. South Africa pulled level at some stage through Tiffany Kortjie.

Going into the game, Uganda were mainly unchanged from the team that dismantled Botswana 12-0 in the semi finals with only Catherine Nagaddya paving way for Samalie Nakachwa.

The first half was mainly un eventful as both sides were more intent on shutting each other out.

Twelve minutes after the break, Uganda broke the dead-lock. Nalukenge threaded a fine pass for Najjemba and the latter made no mistake as she slotted into the back of the net.

With the title now within their reach, Uganda started getting nervous as they consistently gave away possession.

They were eventually made to pay on 76 minutes as Kortjie netted the equalizer.

This was more of a wake up call for Khalifa’s side as they went all out for a winner.

It would eventually come in form of a familier name as Nalukenge fired in from a Najjemba cross with just three minutes on the clock.

This was Nalukenge’s 18th goal of the tournament and it saw her finish as the outright top scorer.

Uganda’s goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga was also named the best shot-stopper at the tournament conceding just two goals.

In total, Uganda played five games, winning four, drawing one and losing none. Khalifah’s side also scored 46 goals and conceded only two.

Uganda’s starting line up against South Africa

Daphine Nyayenga (GK) (Uganda Martyrs HS), Gillian Akadinda (Olila HS), Patricia Akiror (Masaka SS), Stella Musibika (Kawempe Muslim SS), Bira Nadunga (Olila High School), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs), Margret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim SS), Shakira Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim SS), Juliet Nalukenge (Captain – Kawempe MuslimSS), Fauzia Najjemba (Mukono High School), Samalie Nakachwa(Kawempe Muslim SS)

Substitutes

Joan Namusisi (GK) (Mukono HS), Gift Nasasira (GK) (Gadafi Integrated), Sumayah Komuntale (King of Kings), Moureen Nangonzi (Mukono HS), Catherine Nagadya(Katuuso Community), Precious Atwiine (Up Hill College), Cissy Kabarwani (King of Kings), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim SS), and Zaitun Namaganda (Taggy High School).