KIGALI – The Crested Cranes finished second at the just concluded CECAFA Women’s Championships in Rwanda.
This was confirmed on Friday evening after Tanzania defeated Ethiopia 4-1 in the penultimate game of the tournament.
The win took the Kilimanjaro Queens to seven points, level with the Cranes but the Tanzanians won the tournament by virtual of a better goal difference and head to head record.
Despite her team finishing second, head coach Faridah Bulega has come out and praised the efforts of her girls.
“I am so satisfied with the efforts of my girls throughout the tournament, said Bulega in an interview.
“We may not have won it but managed to collect seven points from four games where we won two games, drawn one and lost the other to eventual winners Tanzania.
“This being my first tournament, i have learnt a lot and hopefully, it will help me in the future.
“We will go back home, look into the mistakes we made and hopefully do better next time.
When asked about the performance of some of her girls, this is what Bulega had to say;
“I have been impressed by some of the girls, most especially Ruth Aturo, Lillian Mutuuzo and Zaina Namuleme but all in all, the whole team has performed well including the substitutes.
“These girls are still young and i am sure two or three years from now, they will be a force to reckon with that is if they stay together and the Federation helps out where necessary.
By finishing second, the Cranes bettered their performance from the last edition.
At their home championships held in Jinja two years ago, they finished fourth after loosing 4-1 to Ethiopia in the losers match.
At the year’s tournament, they have won two of their four games including the opener against Kenya (1-0) and then a 2-1 result over Ethiopia in a game that required them to come from a goal down.
They went on to lose 4-1 to Tanzania in their third game before conceding a late equaliser in their last game against host Rwanda to draw 2-2.
The team received a runners-up cash prize of $1500 on top of goalkeeper Ruth Aturo’s shot-stopper of the tournament gong.
They are expected to arrive back in the country over the weekend.
The Crested Cranes team that took part in the 2018 CECAFA.
Aturo Ruth, Nakaziro Daisy, Adeke Juliet, Namuddu Viola, Nankya Shadia, Aluka Grace, Namukisa Aisha, Nabisaalu Bridget, Akiror Tracy Jones – Captain, Yudaya Nakayenze, Nambatya Favour, Lillian Mutuuzo, Alupo Norah, Naluyimba Esther, Nabbumba Phiona, Nakachwa Spencer, Nalukenge Juliet, Namuleme Zainah, Namwase Monica, Babirye Winnie
