Keeperless Ethiopian Women team beat hosts Uganda to the Inaugural CECAFA U20’s Football Crown

By Daniels N. Tatya

Final day results

Uganda 2-3 Ethiopia

Eritrea 1-2 Burundi

Tanzania 8-0 Djibouti

Team Uganda lost once and lost everything they had to fight for-The Cecafa U-20 Women silverware in Njeru. Ethiopia became the eventual champions of the inaugural CECAFA U20 Women Championship after coming from two goals down to beat Uganda 3-2, even with a red card showed to the Ethiopian goal keeper and kept off the pitch for over 80 minutes.

It was a very disappointing second half by Uganda U-20 but congratulations gongs for Ethiopia whose record was 100% having won all 5 of their games at the championship.

Ethiopia took the game step by step in the second half having returned from the break trailing 0-2 to the hosts whose prior chances were very bright premised on a first half 2-0 result at half time.

On the 25th minute mark, Hadijah Nandago as usual gave Uganda the deserved lead before her captain Fauzia Najjemba pulled another to extend the hosts’ lead to two from a direct free kick in front of Ethiopia’s goal just minutes to break.

Six minutes after break, Ethiopia got energized through a 51st minute strike by Ridet Assrasahang pulling one back for Ethiopia to make matters 1 against 2. Matters were levelled 2-all in the 79th minute and at this point Uganda had started losing it to the visitors. Uganda eventually lost everything there was for them after Ethiopia killed off with a third to celebrate the championship in Njeru 

Favorites Uganda and eventual winners Ethiopia both had bagged 12 points in previous four (4) games and either side was destined for the crown on day five of the championships. The hosts Uganda had a superior goal difference of 20 compared to Ethiopia’s 14 by kick-off of the grand finale.

The 2021 CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship officially come to a climax on Tuesday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru in Buikwe District. Earlier on the day Eritrea had lost 1-2 to Burundian girls in the first game before Tanzania outwitted Djibouti 8-0 in the other fixture on the final day.

To sum up the show-piece, Tuesday, 9th November 2021 will go down in the annals of Uganda’s women football. It’s the day and date that Uganda U20 Women’s National Team lost to Ethiopia.

With the two sides tied at 12 points apiece, Tuesday’s encounter served as a title decider. Uganda needed just a draw to claim the Championship while Ethiopia on the other hand had to win something and surely it did happen for the Ethiopians thanks to Team Uganda’s wasteful second half. 

Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Matters graced this match and witnessed Uganda lose in the capacity of Guest of Honor. As expected the game wasn’t a walk through the park for Coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi and his troops on the day. The results show.