Uganda seek group summit in Mauritius

Coach Ayub Khalifan praised his girls for ‘playing to instructions’ in their 1-1 draw with Zambia in the opening match of the Cosafa U-17 Women Championships in Port Luis, Mauritius on Friday.

Uganda enjoyed control and drew the tournament’s first blood when captain Juliet Nalukenge, scored from a penalty in the 62nd minute – after Kevin Nakacwa had been fouled in the box.

The visiting side, however, could not hang on as Zambia equalized 20 minutes later through Shelly Masumo’s stinging shot that found its way through keeper Daphine Nyayenga.

Fight for trophy
“We are happy but we need to work harder as we came here to fight for the trophy,” Khalifan said.
This is Uganda’s first U-17 women’s side and a draw with a country that has maintained such a side since 2008 – and played in the Fifa U-17 World Cup in 2014 – could go a long way in motivating the side ahead of today’s encounter with hosts Mauritius.
The hosts too have a newly established U-17 side but will be oozing confidence after they beat Comoros 5-1 on Friday.

A comfortable win for Khalifan’s starlets could see them go to the Group A table summit. And since they want to return home with the trophy, there is no better way to show they can cope with the pressure than beating the hosts rallied by a partisan crowd.

COSAFA U-17 WOMEN CHAMPS
Friday Results
Zambia 1-1 Uganda
Mauritius 5-1 Comoros
TODAY:
Mauritius vs. Uganda
September 24:
Comoros vs. Uganda

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