UCU Lady Cardinals bring Kawempe Muslim down to earth

No Way Through. Juliet Nalukenge (C) is double-teamed by UCU players in their playoff game at StarTimes Stadium Lugogo on May 30, 2019. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

What you need to know:

  • Cissy Nakate doubled the lead five minutes later from a loose ball just after Kawempe keeper Juliet Adeke had stopped Jackie Nakasi’s corner from serving into the net.

KAMPALA. It has taken four Fufa Women Elite League (FWEL) titles and some but Kawempe Muslim are finally demystified.
No one envisaged it would take a 4-2 defeat but Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals showed why Kawempe coach Ayub Khalifan thought prior that the Mukono side were the team to avoid in the FWEL playoffs. UCU, playing in the memory of their fallen coach Peter Ssebulime, were quick, industrious and decisive.

They were led by Hasifah Nassuna and Ruth Aturo, who for three seasons, guided Kawempe to glory. Kawempe was the complete opposite looking every inch the team that had lost their last three - albeit inconsequential - Victoria Group games. Maureen Kinavudori started UCU’s onslaught in the first minute as Mariam Nakabugo failed to clear the lines for a self-destructive Kawempe.

Cissy Nakate doubled the lead five minutes later from a loose ball just after Kawempe keeper Juliet Adeke had stopped Jackie Nakasi’s corner from serving into the net.
Kawempe grew into the game but UCU were not done chasing lost causes. Midway through the second-half Rehema Adubango connected past her own keeper as Nakate tried to find Kinavudori.

In the 36th minute Grace Aluka’s cross found Anita Namata for what turned out to be Kawempe’s first but before they could get their act together, Nassuna’s freekick was parried home by Adeke’s flappy hands. Halftime changes helped Kawempe fight on and Brenda Nakayenga made it 4-2 with about 15 minutes to play. But UCU’s goalkeeper Aturo managed to cut out any more threats and ensure we will now have a new FWEL champion.