Uganda’s Crested Cranes booked a berth in the semi finals of the ongoing CECAFA Women’s Championship after defeating Ethiopia 1-0 at the Chamazi complex in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
Fauzia Najjemba scored the all important goal in the 73rd minute of a game that had limited goal attempts.
Najjemba exquisitely burst through the left flank before squeezing the ball past the Ethiopian goalkeeper from a tight angle.
It was a revenge for the Farida Bulega coached team against a side that painfully bundled them out of the 2020 Olympics qualifiers early this year.
Bulega named the same line up that started in the 13-0 obliteration of Djibouti on Sunday.
She however made her first change in the 57th with Margret Kunihira replacing Zaina Namuleme.
Shamira Nalugya then came on for Fazila Ikwaput who had a silent evening just like her striking partner Juliet Nalukenge who had her name on the score sheet five times in the first game.
Hasifa Nassuna was looked up to for the needed difference on account of her shooting prowess and a knack of free kick conversions but couldn’t find target.
It was Najjemba who made the difference when she received the ball from the midfield and made a run past two defenders before slotting home the winning goal.
Nalukenge also found the back of the net finishing off an inch perfect Nassuna pass but unfortunately her goal was cancelled for offside four minutes to normal time.
Uganda and Kenya have now qualifed for the semi finals having won their two games and will face off Thursday to determine the group winner.
Kenya thumped Djibouti 12-0 in the early kick off.
Uganda XI
Ruth Aturo (GK), Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya, Bridget Nabisaalu, Riticia Nabbosa, Zaina Namuleme, Hasifa Nassuna, Fazila Ikwaput, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba
Subs
Daisy Nakaziro, Joan Namusisi, Eunice Ariokot, Grace Aluka, Aisha Namukisa, Harriet Nakuba, Amina Nababi, Margret Kunihira, Shamira Nalugya
