CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship: Uganda Beats Burundi to Top Group A

Uganda finished top of Group A after overcoming Burundi on Sunday in the final A game played at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Despite conceding early in the game, the Crested Cranes managed to fight back to win 4-1 and top group A with maximum points.

Falonne Nahimana scored for Burundi but Uganda responded through Fazila Ikwaput and second half substitutes Shamirah Nalugya and Sandra Nabweteme (brace).

Burundi took the lead in the tenth minute through former Asubo Gafford Ladies striker Nahimana.

The forward capitalised on a mistake by Riticia Nabossa whose intended back pass did not reach defender Aisha Nantongo thus firing the ball beyond goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro.

The lead was, however, short-lived with Ikwaput running behind the Burundi backline to slot home.

A long ball from defender Margaret Namirimu was brushed into Ikwaput’s path by Juliet Nalukenge thus beating off the entire Burundi defence.

Hasifah Nassuna attempted from far but her shot went inches wide while Asia Nakibuuka too got close from a rebound but her ferocious strike from distance sailed over.

The two teams went for the mandatory break on level terms.

Upon restart, coach George Lutalo made three changes bringing Shamirah Nalugya, Sandra Nabweteme and Phiona Nabbumba in place of Joan Nabirye, Nabbosa and Nalukenge.

Two minutes later, Nalugya struck home from a distance to send Uganda into the lead for the first time.

There were further changes for Uganda moments later with Margaret Kunihira replacing Lillian Mutuuzo while Zaina Nandede replaced Ikwaput.

Kunihira was industrious on the left flank and she produced the assist for Nabweteme’s goal in the 79th minute.

Nabweteme put the icing on the cake with a sublime finish deep into stoppage time.

The result means Uganda tops Group A on nine points, Burundi finished in second place on 6 points while Rwanda and Djibouti ended with 3 and 0 points, respectively.

Uganda Starting XI:

Daisy Nakaziro(GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nnatongo, Margaret Namirimu, Joan Nabirye, Riticia Nabbosa, Hasifa Nassuna, Juliet Nalukenge, Fazila Ikwaput, Lillian Mutuuzo

Burundi Starting XI:

Ariella Umurerwa (GK), Diane Irankunda, Bora Ineza, Zilfa Suzanne, Adolphine Suzanne, Sandrine Niyonkuru, Asha Djafari, Angelique Keza, Nasra Nahimana, Joelle Bukuru, Falonne Nahimana.