Uganda U20 Women’s National Team, the Queen Cranes secured the first win at the African Games 2023 in Ghana after overcoming Ethiopia on Tuesday at Cape Coast Stadium.
The Queen Cranes defeated Ethiopia 2-0 with captain Catherine Nagadya and left back Docus Lwalisa scoring a goal each in the first half.
Uganda had drawn 1-1 against Tanzania in the first game played on Saturday last week.
Head Coach Sheryl Botes made one change from the team that started against Tanzania with Juliet Nalukenge starting ahead of Krusum Namutebi.
A brilliant start saw Uganda take the lead in the ten minutes after kickoff through Nagadya who finished from close range after Nalukenge laid the ball to her.
Lwalisa doubled the advantage for Uganda in the 29th minute straight from a free kick that went beyond Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Genet Ermiyas Iltro who had moved a few inches off the line.
The Olila High School student nearly got her second on the day off a ferocious strike outside the box but her effort hit the crossbar.
Coach Botes was forced into making a change in the 43rd minute when defender Shakirah Nankwanga was stretchered off. She was replaced by midfielder Krusum Namutebi.
Goalkeeper Sharon was called into action at the stroke of halftime when she parried Mesay Temsegen’s strike on the crossbar and Ethiopia won a corner kick.
From the corner kick, a long clearance met Nagadya just after the centre line, beat a defender for pace but failed to put the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
In the second half, Ethiopia mounted several attacks and indeed came close but goalkeeper Kaidu was always alert to deny them.
Shamirah Nalugya, Immaculate Kizza and Harima Kanyago came on later to replace Nagadya, Nalukenge and Catherine Wujja in that order.
The win moves Uganda to four points in two games and will face hosts Ghana in the final group game on Friday.
Uganda U20 Starting XI
Sharon Kaidu, Catherine Wujja, Docus Lwalisa, Phionah Nabulime, Shakirah Nankwanga, Krusum Namutebi, Latifah Nakasi, Shamusa Najjuma, Catherine Nagadya, Juliet Nakukenge, Margret Kunihira, Zainah Nandede
Substitutes
Esther Akujo (GK), Cecilia Kamuli (GK), Patricia Akiror, Harima Kanyago, Immaculate Kizza, Krusum Namutebi, Shakirah Nalugya, Claire Hilder Kebirungi, Sumaya Nabuto
