Defensive concerns as Uganda battle Tanzania

Going into today’s Cecafa Women Challenge Cup semi-final against hosts and two-time defending champions Tanzania, Crested Cranes must better their defence.

From the start of the group stages, coach Faridah Bulega opted for Asia Nakibuuka, a player more adept to playing attacking positions, as makeshift left-back ahead of Grace Aluka.
She also opted for vice-captain Bridget Nabisaalu ahead of the usually trusted Aisha Namukisa while the absence of Tracy Jones Akiror and Phionah Nabbumba means Uganda deploy no player accustomed to breaking opponent’s play.

The team has instead had Riticia Nabbosa, a hardworking midfielder in her right but one happier to be involved in pushing the team forward. She has been surrounded by out and out attackers in Hasifah Nassuna, Fauzia Najjemba, Zainah Namuleme, Fazila Ikwaput and Juliet Nalukenge.
The plan worked against Djibouti and the stylish Ethiopia as Uganda won 13-0 and 1-0 respectively to make the semi-finals.

However, when it came to the Group B table-topping determining clash with rivals Kenya, Bulega brought back Aluka into defence.
Both Aluka and Nabisaalu were caught out of position for Kenya’s opener in a 3-0 win. For the second Aluka, evidently lacking match fitness, was caught napping in possession and was subsequently taken off in the 36th minute – 17 minutes after the goal on Thursday.
You wonder where Bulega goes from here as Tanzania are also wont to utilize their width. More importantly, Crested Cranes face an opponent that won this trophy in Njeru in 2016 and Rwanda last year.

Scores to settle
Uganda did not meet the Twiga Stars in Njeru but when they locked horns in last year’s round-robin challenge, the latter – despite starting the campaign with a loss to Rwanda and draw with Kenya - ran off as 4-1 winners in a crisp counter-attacking display.
That’s the match, Uganda surrendered the trophy because the sides finished level on seven points but Tanzania eventually won the trophy as they had a +5 goal difference while Crested Cranes finished with -1 to settle for silver and $1,500 (about Shs5.25m).

Today, Bulega’s task will be to avert the expansive and fast-paced style that the Tanzanian’s deploy. And from Thursday’s showing, Uganda – who want to better their record by winning the trophy at this edition – are certainly starting on the back-foot.

2019 CECAFA WOMEN CHALLENGE CUP
TODAY’S SEMI-FINALS
Uganda vs. Tanzania, 4.30pm
Kenya vs. Burundi, 2pm

2018 CECAFA WOMEN CUP TABLE

TEAM P W D L F A PTS
Tanzania 4 2 1 1 9 4 7
Uganda 4 2 1 1 6 7 7
Ethiopia 4 2 0 2 6 6 6
Kenya 4 1 1 2 3 3 4
Rwanda 4 1 1 2 3 7 4
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