Uganda Crested Cranes have defeated Burundi 3-1 in the final of the  CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.

Sandra Nabweteme netted a brace, while Fazila Ikwaput also got her name on the score sheet to guide Uganda to victory at the FUFA technical Centre, Njeru on Saturday.

Nabweteme netted the opening goal after only two minutes, while Ikwaput doubled the lead after 43 minutes.

But after recess the Burundi team made some changes and pressed the Uganda Crested Cranes before they pulled one goal back. Joelle Bukuru netted Burundi’s goal after 49th minutes with a hard long shot that beat Uganda’s goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro.

Burundi continued to push forward, but a defensive mix-up gave Nabweteme a chance to score her second goal of the day to take her goal tally to five.

“This is a very sweet victory which also gives us motivation ahead of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month,” said Uganda coach George William Lutalo.

In an earlier match Ethiopia defeated Tanzania 2-1 in a play-off match to finish third. Taddese Bizuayehu and Lema Turis scored for Ethiopia, while Opa Clement Tukumbuke scored for Tanzania.

CECAFA and Tanzania Football Federation President, Wallace Karia together with CAF Exco Member and Federation of Uganda Football Associations President, Moses Hassim Magogo attended the final.

Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Among was the guest of honour.

Awards

Best Player – Fazila Ikwpaut (Uganda)

Best Goalkeepr – Daisy Nakaziro (Uganda)

Top Scorer – Opa Clement Tukumbuke (Tanzania)

Fair Play Award – Tanzania

The Uganda Crested Cranes will this afternoon line up against Burundi in the final of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022 at the FUFA technical Centre, Njeru.

Interestingly it is the first time that the two sides reach the final of the regional tournament. They are also the two teams that qualified for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2022 which takes place next month in Morocco.

But before the final, Tanzania will battle Ethiopia in a play-off to decide who settles for bronze.

Although Coach George William’s team defeated Burundi 4-1 in the group stage, the final is expected to be a thriller because there is so much at stake.

To reach the final Uganda saw off Ethiopia 1-0 with the goal coming in extra time (115 minutes), while Burundi battled from a goal down to eject Tanzania 2-1 in the second semi final clash.

Uganda’s Fazila Ikwaput who is among the leading goal scorers in the tournament (5 goals) and captain Hassifah Nassuna are expected to play pivotal roles to carry the home side, while Sandrine Niyonkuru (5 goals) and skipper Asha Djafari will be the key players to watch for the Burundi team.

What the coaches say

George William Lutalo (Uganda head coach)

“Our preparations have been good and we are very ready for the final which will be very entertaining. Burundi is a strong team and they will not be easy since we already faced them and won 4-1 in the group stage.”

Belyse Ininahazwe (Burundi assistant coach)

“We are very happy to get to the final. We are determined to carry the Burundi flag high by playing a good game as we aim to win the trophy.”

All Collected results

Burundi 3 Djibouti 0

Uganda 2 Rwanda 0

Zanzibar 0 Ethiopia 5

Tanzania 2 South Sudan 0

Djibouti 0 Uganda 5

Rwanda 1 Burundi 2

Ethiopia 2 Tanzania 2

South Sudan 1 Zanzibar 0

Rwanda 2 Djibouti 0

Uganda 4 Burundi 1

South Sudan 0 Ethiopia 4

Tanzania 12 Zanzibar 0

Semis

Uganda 1 Ethiopia 0

Tanzania 1 Burundi 2

Burundi and Uganda Crested Cranes have stormed the final of the regional CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.

The hosts ejected Ethiopia 1-0 in a hotly contested semi final played for 120 minutes at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda.

The two teams attacked and created several scoring chances, but it was Uganda Crested Cranes that showed the spirit of late moments in sport.

With five minutes to the end of the extra time Fazila Ikwaput netted the lone goal for Uganda from a corner kick taken by skipper Hasifah Nasuuna.

“Ia am glad we are through to the final for the first time. I thank the team and everyone for the support,” said Uganda’s coach George William Lutalo.

The second semi final clash saw Burundi come from a goal down to win 2-1. Opa Clement Tukumbuke put Tanzania ahead after only 28 seconds on the clock.

But the Burundi team battled back strongly to score through skipper Aisha Djafari and a second half penalty converted by Sandra Niyonkuru.

“We kept calm and worked hard to get to the final. We now have to prepare well ahead of the final against a team that beat us in the group stage,” said Burundi’s assistant coach Belyse Ininahazwe.

Both Uganda and Burundi are using the Championship to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 taking place next month in Morocco.

Leading scorers

Opa Clement Tukumbuke (Tanzania) – 6

Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) – 5

Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi) – 5

Aregash Kalsa Tadesse (Ethiopia) – 4

Loza Abera Geinore (Ethiopia)- 4

Sandra Nabweteme (Uganda) – 3

Omary Mwanahamisi (Tanzania) – 3

The top four teams will this afternoon tussle it out in the semi finals of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022 at the FUFA Technical centre in Njeru, Uganda.

Hosts Uganda will face Ethiopia in the first match, while Tanzania battle Burundi in the second semi final clash.

George William Lutalo, Uganda Crested Cranes head coach says the motivation in the camp is very good. “Facing Ethiopia is a tough match, but we are very prepared,” said Lutalo. 

Lutalo will hope that his leading goal scorers Fazila Ikwaput (4) and Sandra Nabweteme (3) can continue with the good scoring form.

But Ethiopia’s coach Firew Hailegebral Asefa has made it clear that they are prepared to fight till the last whistle to eliminate Uganda. “We know they have a good team and also home support, but we are well prepared,” said Asefa.

The second match also promises to be a thriller with Burundi fielding some of their players who feature in the Tanzania Women’s League.

“We know Burundi is a tough team and we shall handle them with a lot of toughness too,” said Tanzania’s coach Oscar Mirambo. Striker Opa Clement Tukumbuke, the leading scorer in the Championship with five goals will be one of the key players to watch for the Tanzania team, while Burundi’s Sandrine Niyonkuru (4 goals) is also expected to play a pivotal role for her team.

Burundi’s assistant coach Jumaine Niyonkuru said his team has prepared well and are ready to go all out and prove a point. “This is a semi final and we are ready,” he added.

To reach the knock out stage Uganda topped Group A with 9 points, while Burundi came second with six points.

Tanzania and Ethiopia finished with five points each, but Coach Mirambo’s team came top because of a better goal difference.

Both Uganda and Burundi are also using the regional tournament to prepare before they play in the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place next month in Morocco.