CECAFA U17 Girls Cup
FUFA Technical Center, Njeru
Sunday, 15-12-2019
-Kenya 3-2 Burundi
-Eritrea 4-0 Djibouti
-Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Uganda will have to wait until the final round of games to secure their maiden triumph in the CECAFA U17 Girls championship.
Ayub Khalifa’s side who had a chance to win the trophy on Sunday could only draw 1-1 with second-placed Tanzania in one of the three games played at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru.
Going into the contest knowing a win would see them triumph, Uganda’s hopes were dealt a huge blow as Tanzania took a shock lead through Aisha Maska who took advantage of a laxity between Kevin Nakacwa and Stella Musibika, to slot in through Daphine Nyayenga legs on 18 minutes.
Uganda upped their game and thought they had won a penalty when center referee Caroline Wanjara pointed to the spot after spotting Tanzanian midfielder Thabea Aidano Munga for having handled in the area but reversed her decision.
However, they drew level before the break as Wanjara handed them a penalty following a handball inside the area after Tanzania failed to clear their lines after a corner.
Fauzia Najjemba made no mistake, easily beating Tanzanian custodian Asha Mrisho Ismail for the first half to end 1-1.
Uganda returned in the second half with intent for a winner but was only denied twice by the woodwork.
First, captain Juliet Nalukenge saw a shot come off the crossbar before Shakila Nyinagahirwa seeing her effort bouncing off the post.
Uganda was missing right full-back Samalie Nakacwa due to sickness, and head Coach Ayub Khalifa blamed the draw on this.
“We were missing our first choice defender and that destabilized our defense, but we prayed to our best not to lose today, noted Khalifa after the game.
“We have a final and crucial game on Tuesday and we shall get back and plan on how we can win this game because it’s only the win that will give us the title.
The draw leaves Uganda top on 10 points with Tanzania second on 8 points.
