Crested Cranes has painfully bowed out of Total Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers after a goal-less draw with Kenya during the return leg of the preliminary first round at the Star Times Stadium, Lugogo on Sunday.
From the onset, a well charged and determined Crested Cranes team looked set for the mission at hand, defending and attacking in numbers.
Captain Hasifa Nassuna, her striking partner Juliet Nalukenge troubled the Kenyan back line at all times.
Nassuna’s well taken second half free-kick near the 18 yard box was stopped by the goalkeeper Maureen Shimuli with less than a quarter an hour of action.
Uganda’s goalkeeper Ruth Aturo was alert throughout the game denying Kenya’s Carloyne Anyango, Neddy Atieno Okoth and Vivian Aquino Carzone.
The Crested Cranes technical team called for all the three changes in the game.
Spencer Nakacwa replaced Zaina Namuleme at the start of the second half.
12 minutes later, Asia Nakibuuka paved way for Winnie Babirye and holding midfielder Tracy Jones Akiror’s place was taken over by Phiona Nabbumba as Uganda pushed for numbers upfront.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents Justus Mugisha and Darius Mugoye respectively, Agnes Mugena, (Executive Committee member) were part of the fair crowd that attended the game.
Kenya thus qualified 1-0 on aggregate over the two legs and will play against Equatorial Guinea in the first round.
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