Kunihira, Nandago, Nalukenge on target as Uganda eliminates Kenya

Uganda are through to the next round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after defeating neighbours Kenya ( 3-1) in the return leg of the qualifiers played today at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Coming into the game, the hosts had carried 7-2 advantage after the first leg that was played at Nyayo National Stadium and the Ayub Khalifa Coached side carried their fine away form and put up a spectacular show to defeat Kenya in a four-goal thriller in a behind closed door game.

Margaret Kunihira opened the scoring to give Uganda the lead in the 14th minute before Kenya equalized through a Peris Osinde’s well taken penalty in the 19th minute after a foul on Shaylene Opisa by Uganda’s Hadijja Nandago.

With six minutes remaining to end the first half of the match, Hadijah Nandago made ammends and scored the second goal for Uganda off a Sumaya Komuntale well-taken corner kick to restore Uganda’s lead and this helped the hosts to go for the break leading their counterparts with an Aggregate score of 9-3.

Uganda continued to dominate the game after the restart, but they were frustrated by Sophy Akinyi’s great goalkeeping and they were also wasteful in front of goal before Juliet Nalukenge closed the scoring with a stunning free kick in the 90th minute after she was fouled at the edge of the box.

The result has ensured that Uganda U20 Women’s National Team have registered a double over their counterparts with a 10-3 aggregate and this has helped them advance to the second qualifying phase of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier and will face South Africa.