Uganda keep Tokyo dream alive
Decent result. The Crested Cranes team that lined up against Ethiopia in Addis yesterday. The return leg will be played on Saturday at Lugogo. PHOTO BY FUFA MEDIA
What you need to know:
- The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals striker then scored Uganda’s second two minutes into added time to give Uganda a chance to meet Cameroon in the next round.
KAMPALA. Two stoppage time goals from Hasifah Nassuna kept Uganda’s dream alive as the Crested Cranes fell 3-2 to Ethiopia’s Lucy in the first leg of round one of the Caf Women’s Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers today in Addis Ababa yesterday.
Ethiopia took early control in a game where Ugada missed dropped skipper Tracy Jones Akiror. That control was rewarded when Ugandan defender Aisha Namukisa connected past her own keeper Ruth Aturo in the 13th minute to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
Both sides were guilty of wasting chances for the greater part of the first half but Uganda’s US-based star Sandra Nabweteme will be kicking herself for missing a penalty towards the end of the first half.
Faridah Bulega’s side regrouped after halftime but could not find the goal. Instead Ethiopia stretched their lead through Loza Abera in the 76th minute while Kidani Serkadis made it 3-0 three minutes later.
The Olympic dream was as good as dead for a team that had gone to Addis Ababa to shut it out. This had inklings of the first leg of the 2002 Africa Women’s Nations Cup Qualifier between the two nations that Uganda lost 2-0 away then saved face with a 2-2 draw at Namboole a few days later.
Except that in substitute Nassuna, who is also the Fufa Women Elite League top scorer with 82 goals, Uganda had a player that could turn the game around when given the chance.
Nassuna forced Ethiopia defender Kara Meskerem to turn the ball into her own net in the 90th minute. The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals striker then scored Uganda’s second two minutes into added time to give Uganda a chance to meet Cameroon in the next round.
But first, the two sides must settle business in the second leg at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo this Saturday afternoon. Uganda should, however, be reminded that Ethiopia have not lost on their two visits here; having drawn 2-2 as early mentioned at Namboole in 2002 and winning 4-1 at Njeru Technical Centre during Cecafa 2016. Nassuna got that consolation in Njeru to finish as tournament top scorer.
