Uganda U20 Women’s National football team has increased its chances of making it to the fourth round of the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over South Africa’s U20 Women’s National football team at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in the first leg of the third round.
Uganda secured a 1-0 slim first leg victory in the 19th minute when a well laid Margaret Kunihira corner kick was headed goalwards by the well positioned Hadijjah Nandago ‘Maama Lususu’ .
Hadijah Nandago celebrates | Fufa Media Photo
The home side started the match brightly, keeping the majority of possession and trying to find a way through, and they were soon camped in the South Africa’s half as Margaret Kunihira, Hadijah Nandago, Fauzia Najjemba and Juliet Nalukenge surged forward on numerous occasions but were unable to utilize their opportunities.
Uganda’s first major chance of the game came after just six minutes when team captain Fauzia Najjemba set up left back Sumaya Komuntale whose left-footed trademark effort at the near post tested the handling of the visitors goalkeeper Nthabiseng Ramaisha.
The visitors were struggling to get hold of the ball and Ayub Khalifa’s high-flying girls were enjoying the chance to show off their skills, albeit without really threatening to unlock the South African defence.
In the 11th minute, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC defender Aisha Nantongo who played as a midfielder in the absence of the injured Shamirah Nalugya almost opened the scoring but her thunderous strike outside the box hit the crossbar.
Eight minutes later Uganda finally secured the breakthrough,when the ever well positioned Hadija Nandago headed home off a well taken Margret Kunihira corner kick from the right flank to give Uganda the much needed lead in the 14th minute and went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
South Africa came out after the break a much-improved side and Lithemba Sam-Sam and captain Lonathemba Mhlongo gave Uganda a scare with efforts that went close but Uganda’s backline of Asia Nakibuuka Biira Naddunga, Sumaya Komuntale and Samalie Nakachwa showed mental strength and their never say die spirit to deny the visitors any chances.
Uganda U20 Women’s National football team Head coach Ayub Khalifa brought on Zainah Nandede and Lilian Mutuuzo for Margret Kunihira and Juliet Nalukenge respectively in the 76th minute.
Moments later, the visitors had a golden chance to level matters in the 78th minute but Lithemba Sam-Sam’s goal-bound effort after Daphine Nyayenga’s error was brilliantly cleared by right back Samalie Nakachwa.
The hosts began to stamp their authority on proceedings in the closing minutes of the the game and substitute Lilian Mutuuzo almost made it two in the 81st minute but her low shot from the left went inches away after Fauzia Najjemba had unselfishly crossed.
Najjemba nearly doubled Uganda’s lead but her powerful shot from a close range rattled off the goal post in the dying minutes of the game but that didn’t stop her side from securing the first leg victory at the fulltime whistle.
The first leg victory was just a reward for Ayub Khalifa’s side who, despite never being at their most fluent, were always in the ascendancy and should have had more to show than just the solitary strike.
The return leg will be played on 17th December, 2021 in Johannesburg (South Africa) and the winner over two legs, will face Ghana or Zambia in the next round of the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup that will be held in Costa Rica in 2022.
HOW THEY LINED-UP
UGANDA
STARTING XI
Daphine Nyayenga (GK)
Samalie Nakacwa
Sumaya Komuntale
Bira Nadunga
Nakibuuka Asia
Nantongo Aisha
Shakira Nyinagahirwa
Hadijah Nandago
Juliet Nalukenge
Fauzia Najjemba
Margret Kunihira
SUBSTITUTES
Saidah Namwanje
Kanyago Harima
Eva Nagayi
Catherine Nagadya, Aluka Grace
Zaina Nandede
Mutuuzo Lillian
SOUTH AFRICA
STARTING XI
Nthabiseng Ramaisha(GK)
Sharol Dineo Ramoaka
Thimna Mpehle
Lonathemba Mhlongo(C)
Fikile Magama
Zethembiso Vilakazi
Wendy Shongwe
Chelsea Joy Daniels
Sphumelele Shamase
Lithemba Sam-Sam
Mmabatho Mogale.
SUBSTITUTES
Samkelisiwe Promise Salena
Thubelihle Shamase
Nthabiseng Ronisha Majiya
Reitumetse Mosuoe.
For starters , Africa as a continent will have two representatives at the final of the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup that will be held in Costa Rica in 2022.
The tournament, staged every two years, will see sixteen nations compete against each other for top honours. With continental qualification pathways leading to an exciting finals event, the competition has seen four past champions: USA, Germany, Japan and Korea DPR. Japan are the defending champions, having won their first title in 2018.
- Achomo, Mukulu Rally Seeta High to Keep Women’s Finals Alive
- Omara Inspires Watoto Men to 2-1 Finals Lead as Seeta Revive Title Hopes
- Kawempe Overcome Uganda Martyrs to Seize League Summit
- Uganda Martyrs Face Kawempe Test with Top Spot at Stake | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
- KCCA Women Held by Makerere as Missed Chances Define Goalless Draw | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
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Finance Trust Bank FUFA WSL 2026/2027 Fixtures.
FWSL - MATCH DAY 1 FIXTURE
 
(1)
3 - 02026/2027
Kawempe Muslims LFC vs Jinja United WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
She Corporate FC vs St.Noa Girls Zana FC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
URA Ladies FC vs KCCA WFC |
 
(1)
1 - 02026/2027
Makerere University vs Amus College WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
LADY DOVES FC vs Uganda Martyrs LWFC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
Rines SS WFC vs She Maroons FC |
AROUND THE SPORTING WORLD
- Achomo, Mukulu Rally Seeta High to Keep Women’s Finals Alive
Facing the prospect of falling 3-0 behind in the best-of-five series, Seeta produced a determined late fightback to secure their first win of the finals. Kampala University had entered Game Three with victories of 48-43 and 53-47 in the opening two games, hoping to move closer to the championship, but Seeta refused to let the series slip away. - Omara Inspires Watoto Men to 2-1 Finals Lead as Seeta Revive Title Hopes
Both series resume on Wednesday, with Watoto seeking the victory that would put them on the brink of the men’s title and Seeta aiming to draw level in the women’s competition. - Kawempe Overcome Uganda Martyrs to Seize League Summit
Football rewards teams that seize their opportunities, and Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC made theirs count to claim a 2-1 victory over Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Sunday. - Uganda Martyrs Face Kawempe Test with Top Spot at Stake | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
The central contest is likely to be between Uganda Martyrs’ scoring threat and Kawempe’s unbeaten defence. With an average of 2.5 goals per game, the leaders have demonstrated their ability to make chances count. Kawempe, by contrast, have yet to concede, suggesting that their defensive organisation has been effective. The challenge for Uganda Martyrs is to find a way through without losing the attacking rhythm that has brought them six points. - KCCA Women Held by Makerere as Missed Chances Define Goalless Draw | Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League
The goalless draw was a story of opportunities missed and defensive interventions that mattered. KCCA had enough chances to win the match but could not find the finishing touch, while Makerere remained resilient and came within inches of claiming victory at the death.
