NJERU – Lady Doves were the first side to register their presence in the grand finale of the 2020/21 Fufa Women Super League following a 1-0 win over mighty record champions Kawempe Muslim in the contest staged at Njeru Technical Centre, earlier on Monday.
In the other game played at the same venue, later in the afternoon, one of the competitions’ favourites – UCU Lady Cardinals were, too, 1-0 winners over Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga.
Lady Cardinals’ Jauhara Nabaggala was on target as early as the 13th minute mark after an interplay with Hasifa Nassuna, who set up Cissy Nakatte to test goalkeeper, Daphine Nayenga’s ability. Nayenga tried her best – parrying the ball back into play and Nabaggala gained advantage from the rebound to score.
The grand finale scheduled for Wednesday at Njeru, will be more less a repeat of the 2018/19 where the Doves lost 0-2 to UCU Lady Cardinals.
In the morning game, Leticia Nabbosa’s long range strike at the stroke of half-time caught Kawempe goalkeeper – Juliet Adeke unawares, and soon the Masindi based side was celebrating a lead that turned out to be the lone goal of the morning game.
Despite an injury scare, that saw lead top scorer Fazila Ikwaput stretchered off after sustaining a knee injury, Doves kept their hopes of dismissing Kawempe alive.
Nabbosa’s goal came in the first minute of added time ahead of the break. She picked the ball in the middle of the pitch and sent an aggressive shot that hit the back of the net, in split seconds.
After the break, Kawempe Muslim, who appeared to be more composed, made several attempts to cause a difference with Hadijja Nandago and Juliet Nalukenge coming close to scoring but finishing past custodian Daizy Nakaziro became a registered challenge.
At one moment, Nandago seemed to be a pain in the Doves defence – maneuvering through but couldn’t beat Nakaziro; while the woodwork denied Nalukenge and her team a would be equalizer.
Lady Doves defended resiliently to claim victory and earn a berth into the final slated for Wednesday at the same venue.
Lady Doves assistant coach, Rajab Buyinza said after the final whistle that the win mean’t a lot in their quest to bag the title at hand.
“I thank God who has brought us this far. I laud the players for the spirited performance, they fought hard to make sure we win. We hope that the same spirit is maintained even in the final,” he prayed as Nabbosa – the lone-goal scorer added: “I prayed to God to give me the goal and I’m thankful that He did. I’m happy that the goal has helped my team to progress to the final.”
