Women’s Olympic Qualifiers: Uganda, Rwanda Share Spoils

Uganda and Rwanda played out a thrilling three-all draw on Wednesday as the two sides faced off in the first leg of the first round of the 2024 Paris Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers.

In the game played at Kigali Pele Stadium, neither side could secure maximum points, leaving the fate of the contest for the return leg.

Assistant coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi made two changes from the team that started against Tanzania in a friendly game last week.

Margaret Kunihira and Joan Nabirye started ahead of Catherine Nagadya and Shamirah Nalugya respectively.

Uganda made an impressive start and should have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute but Fauzia Najjemba failed to find the target left with just the goalkeeper.

It was Rwanda that broke the deadlock through Mukahirwa, capitalizing from a goal melee in the 33rd minute.

Shakirah Nyinagahirwa levelled matters at the stroke of halftime off a well-taken ferocious strike that sent fans from either side cheering.

The first change for Uganda came just after recess with Kunihira paving the way for Nalugya.

Five minutes into the second half, Najjemba was fouled inside the area and Hasifah Nassuna took the responsibility to slot home two minutes later.

In the 66th minute, Rwanda equalized through Libelle Nibagwira’s free kick.

There were further changes for Uganda with Fazila Ikwaput and Nagadya coming on in places of Nassuna and Sandra Nabweteme respectively.

Ikwaput helped Uganda regain the lead in the 84th minute, finishing off with a well-laid cross by Samalie Nakacwa.

However, the lead was short-lived with Rwanda once again finding the equalizer two minutes later through Usanasi Zawadi.

The two teams will face off on Sunday with the winner on aggregate facing Cameroon in the second qualifying round.

Uganda’s Starting XI

Ruth Aturo, Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nantongo, Shadia Nankya, Joan Nabirye, Margaret Kunihira, Hasifah Nassuna, Sandra Nabweteme, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Fauzia Najjemba.