The Uganda Queen Cranes have won a bronze medal at the on-going 13th African Games in Ghana.
After a goalless 90 minutes, the Queen Cranes defeated Senegal 6-5 in penalty shoot outs of the play-off match played at the Cape Coast Stadium on Thursday night.
Sheryl Botes, the Uganda Queen Cranes coach said it was hard work that has seen them get this medal. “We played a good game and had many opportunities to score, but am happy we have won bronze. The exposure that the players have got here has been very good and we are building a strong team,” added Botes.
Moses Hassim Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) also thanked the national U-20 girls team for winning a medal at the Games. “I want to congratulate the Queen Cranes for winning bronze at the African Games. We brought a coach, one of the best on the continent and we allowed her to build a team. It is going to take time but we can already see certain things are working out,” he added.
The Uganda Queen Cranes started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tanzania, and stopped Ethiopia 2-0. They went on to draw 1-1 with Ghana and lost 2-0 to Nigeria at the semi-final stage.
The closely contested game ended in a barren stalemate in normal time but the Queen Cranes eventually edged it 6-5 on penalties.
Coach Sheryl Botes made changes to the team that had started against Senegal with Krusum Namutebi and Docus Lwalisa bouncing back into the starting XI after serving suspension.
Captain Catherine Nagadya and right back Catherine Wujja also returned to the starting XI.
In normal time, Uganda was denied by the woodwork twice with Nagadya and Zaina Nandede seeing their attempts ricochet off the frame of the goal.
Senegal were awarded a penalty in added time of the first half but their captain Diallo Sadigatou fired wide.
In the shoot out Uganda’s Shamira Nalugya, Shakirah Nankwanga, Harima Kanyago, Catherine Wujja, Shamusa Najjuma and Catherine Nagadya all converted their kicks with only Dorcus Lwalisa missing her take.
This is the first continental piece of silverware for Uganda’s Women Football.
The hosts Ghana also battled from a goal down to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in the final played later last night.
