Crested Cranes fly

Fauziah Najjemba’s 73rd minute strike was enough to hand Crested Cranes a much needed 1-0 win over Ethiopia during yesterday’s Group B Cecafa Women Challenge Cup encounter at Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam – Tanzania.
Going into the game, Uganda needed to put up a better defensive display to counter years of hurt against Ethiopia.
Uganda had conceded 13 goals - and scored just seven - in nine previous games against Ethiopia including four in a 4-2 aggregate loss during the Africa Olympics qualifiers early this year.
With a motivated defence, Uganda could then draw inspiration from a 2-1 win against the Ethiopians at last year’s Cecafa, where coach Faridah Bulega’s side settled for silver.
Knowing what was at stake, Bulega stuck to the defence of Shadia Nankya, Bridget Nabisaalu, Viola Namuddu and makeshift leftback Asia Nakibuuka – one that she used in the 13-0 win over Djibouti on Sunday. While they were not well tested by the debutants Djibouti, the four have forged solid combinations since they went into residential training in Njeru early this month.

Pulsating encounter
At Chamazi, both sides played out a pulsating encounter only devoid of goals till the on-form Najjemba, who also scored one on Sunday, broke the deadlock.
Uganda are now level on six points and a goal difference of +14 with neighbours Kenya, who beat Djibouti 12-0 yesterday and drew first blood from the Ethiopians in a 2-0 win on Sunday.
The two neighbours face off tomorrow keen to avoid hosts, Group A leaders and two-time defending champions Tanzania in the semi-finals.