Striker Fazila Ikwaput netted a crucial goal after 115 minutes against Ethiopia to send Uganda Crested Cranes to the final of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.
After a tense battle in the first semi final of the Championship played at the FUFA Technical centre, Njeru on Thursday, Ikwaput made the difference with a clever finish.
The match ended goalless after 90 minutes, but Uganda Crested Cranes took their chance when skipper Hasifah Nassuna’s corner kick was well timed and finished by Ikwaput for Uganda to win 1-0.
“This goal means a lot to me because we are now in the final,” said Ikwaput after the match. The Ugandan striker is now the second leading goal scorer in the tournament with five goals behind Tanzania’s Opa Clement Tukumbuke who has a goal more.
“This has been a tough encounter and I am happy that we have made it to the final. Ethiopia was a tough opponent, but am happy the team played their hearts out to win,” said Uganda’s coach George William Lutalo.
Later Burundi came from a goal down to edge Tanzania 2-1 in the second semi final clash. Opa Clement Tukumbuke put Tanzania ahead after only 28 seconds on the clock.
But the Burundi team battled back strongly to score through skipper Aisha Djafari and a second half penalty converted by Sandra Niyonkuru.
“We played well and we shall prepare well to face Uganda in the final,” said Burundi’s assistant coach Belyse Ininahazwe.
Yussuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director said the semi final matches were very competitive. “We are very happy about the level of competition in this Championship,” added Mossi.
Both Uganda and Burundi who will tussle it out in the final on Saturday are also using the tournament to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 to take place in Morocco next month.
