Sunday, July 16
•Rwanda 0-1 Uganda
*Uganda progress on 4-3 aggregate
Uganda needed a Fazila Ikwaput extra-time to eliminate minnows Rwanda and reach the Second Round of the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualifiers
The second leg ended goalless after 90 minutes, and with no away goals rule applied in the tournament, the tie remained evenly poised after a 3-3 draw in the first leg last Wednesday.
And in the 100th minute, Ikwaput who came off the bench, bundled in what proved to be the winner!
The goal was orchestrated by Sandra Nabweteme who dispossessed a Rwandan defender before setting Ikwaput.
And when Ikwaput received on the right side of the goal, she slotted in at the far end, with her shot eluding Rwanda’s goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
Ikwaput had few minutes earlier on had a goal ruled out for offside while Rwanda, in the same first period of extra-time, had seen their captain Sifa Gloria rattle the woodwork.
Rwanda who were on the back-foot for the best part of the contest, almost found an equaliser late in extra-time, but Crested Cranes goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro made a timely save at near post in a one-on-situation.
And the final whistle was greeted with silence by a couple of Rwandese fans, with some already on their way out at the time contemplating on what a result it could have been.
A sizeable Ugandan crowd, headlined by Prime Minister Hon Robinah Nabbanja and FUFA President Moses Magogo, were in wild celebrations after surviving a Rwanda scare.
And the result sends Uganda to the second round where they will face African Powerhouse Cameroon after the Indomitable Lionesses got a bye at the previous round.
This tie will be played in October – both games (home and away). And winner on aggregate will face Nigeria or Ethiopia in the Third Round.
Crested Cranes Overcome Adversity To Eliminate Rwanda
Crested Cranes were knocked out by Ethiopia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Qualifiers at this first round stage.
But after they landed Rwanda in this campaign, the odds were in Uganda’s favour. It’s strong to note that Rwanda had pulled out of the Tokyo qualifiers.
Uganda’s main hurdle rose in form of a no home stadium to host the game of such a calibre with Namboole and Kitende under renovation.
And the decision by the Federation to choose Rwanda as the host venue, put the both ties out of Uganda’s favour.
More, the Crested Cranes did not have a head coach heading into the Qualifiers after the Federation’s earlier decision to declare all National teams coaches positions vacant, outside the Men’s senior football team (Uganda Cranes).
Ayub Khalifa, was an automatic assistant coach by the fact that he was appointed the head coach of the U20 Women’s team.
And she took over the mantle.
Fast forward, the first leg ended 3-3, a match that Uganda, despite conceding first, could have won after twice taking the lead in the second half at Pele Stadium in Kigali.
Come the second leg, Uganda needed a win to progress or a draw to force extra-time.
And the Crested Cranes were the best side from the word go, but failed to break down a resilient Rwanda side.
Sandra Nabweteme was put Shamirah Nalugya, for the game’s first chance, but the latter’s effort was weak and easily collected.
Nabweteme later had a long range kept by the goalkeeper, from the same place where Shakira Nyinagahirwa scored a rocket in the first leg.
Fauziah Najjemba had half chances, including one where she couldn’t to beat a remaining defender, but she failed to impact the game, and the same can be said of Hasifah Nassuna before she was taken off.
But the Cranes remained positive, and kept asking questions, until the door opened up in Extra-time.
Ikwaput, who scored one of the three goals in the first leg, showed composure to break Rwanda’s resistance. And minutes later, it was game, set, match, for Uganda.
Its still a long way to go for Uganda to secure one of the two tickets available for Africa to Paris Olympics, but it’s a journey that the Girls will fancy walking.
Players Used
Rwanda – Angeline Ndakimana, Louise Maniraguha, Lydia Uzayidenga, Uwase Andersen, Mukahirwa, Sifa Gloria Nibagwire, Dorothe Mukeshimana, Uwase Umwali, Alodie Kayitesi, Florence Imanizabayo, Libelle Nibagwire
Uganda – Daisy Nakaziro, Samalie Nakachwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nantongo, Shadia Nankya, Joan Nabirye, Hasifa Nasuuna, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Sandra Nabweteme, Fauziah Najjemba, Shamirah Nalugya
