SINAN RAJUB SENOGA
Uganda’s Crested Cranes beat Eswatini 5-1 to register their first win at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship at the Madibas Stadium in South Africa.
Hasifa Nassuna came off the bench to score a brace while Sandra Nabweteme, Joan Anita Nabirye and Riticia Nabbosa scored the others.
Nabirye opened the scores in the 13th minute with a thunderbolt strike from outside the box following Viola Namuddu’s corner kick.
Nabbosa made it 2-0 with an easy tap in from Resty Nanziri’s wonderful spadework in the 25th minute.
Eswatini pulled one back through Cheliwe Nkabulwe who capitalized on a blunder by Asia Nakibuuka in the 55th minute.
George Lutalo the Crested Cranes coach handed Daisy Nakaziro a debut ahead of first choice goalkeeper Ruth Aturo while Shadia Nankya took up the captain’s armband.
Statistically, Uganda had a total of 18 goal attempts but half of them fell to Nabweteme who came into the encounter searching for her first goal in the Crested Cranes colours.
Notably, Nabweteme had her goal bound free kick parried away for a corner kick by the keeper in the first half. She had five shots on target in the first half only to be denied by the keeper.
She also had a keeper to beat opportunity in the 57th minute but still couldn’t hit target.
The Iceland based forward finally found target with Uganda’s third goal of the day in 62nd minute.
She turned the defenders inside out before slotting the ball far beyond the keeper’s reach.
Nassuna then completed the rout with two quick goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes having replaced Nanziri at the hour mark.
Nassuna’s first was from a free kick while the second came after she successfully lobbed the ball above the keeper.
Lutalo brought on debutant Sheebah Zalwango for Phiona Nabbumba in the 72nd minute.
He also introduced Amina Nababi, Spencer Nakachwa and Sharon Naddunga for Laki Otandeka, Nabweteme and Nabbosa respectively inside the closing 10 minutes of the game.
Uganda will face Zambia’s Copper Queens in the final group C game on Tuesday. A win for the Crested Cranes will ensure a semi final place for Uganda.
Crested Cranes XI; Daisy Nakaziro (GK), Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Shadia Nankya (Captain), Phoebe Banura, Joan Anita Nabirye, Phiona Nabbumba (Sheebah Zalwango), Riticia Nabbosa (Sharon Naddunga), Sandra Nabweteme (Spencer Nakachwa), Laki Otandeka (Amina Nababi), Resty Nanziri (Hasifa Nassuna)
