Ethiopia fight back to win CECAFA Women’s U-20 Championship 2021

Ethiopia are the winners of the regional CECAFA Women’s U-20 Championship which climaxed in Njeru, Uganda today.

Coach Firew Hailegebral’s team fought back from two goals down and a player-less to stop Uganda 3-2 in the final match.

The win saw Ethiopia finish top of the log with 15 points in the tournament played on a League format basis among the six teams.

After 6 minutes Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Lorato Eyerusalem was sent-off for a foul on Uganda’s captain Fauzia Najjemba. The Ethiopian technical bench made a quick switch and brought on Demelash Banchayehu in goal as a player was sacrificed.

But after 26 minutes Hadijah Nandago gave Uganda the lead before skipper Fauzia Najjemba made it 2-0 after 40 minutes with a free-kick that Banchayehu failed to punch out of danger.

After the break, the Ethiopian side returned hungry for goals and Ridet Assrasahang pulled one back after 50 minuntes.

Substitute Ariet Odong made it 2-2 after 78th minutes before Ethiopia’s coach Hailegebral was sent off by the referee. But the Ethiopian team did not give up and scored the winning goal through Turist Lema after 82 minutes.

“This has been a very tough game and I thank my team for remaining strong headed even after we got an early red card,” said Ethiopia’s coach Hailegebral after the match.

Naredos Getenet, Ethiopia’s skipper said it was determination and team work that won them the trophy. “Even after going a player down, we decided to keep pushing hard,” added Getenet.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director said he was happy with the level of play. “This competition has been very competitive and helped the teams still playing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers prepare well,” added Mossi.

Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Uganda’s Former Vice President and Presidential Advisor was the chief guest during the final match and the Awards ceremony. Dr. Donald Rukare, the Chairman of the National Council of Sports (NCS) and President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) also graced the Awards ceremony.

Final table standing

                    P    W    D     L     GF    GA   GD   Pts

Ethiopia      5     5     0      0      18       3      15    15

Uganda       5     4     0      1      23       4      19    12

Tanzania    5     3     0      2      13        5       8      9

Burundi      5     2      0      3     11      10       1      6

Eritrea        5      1     0      4      3       10      -7      3

Djibouti      5      0     0      5      0      36      -36     0