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

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.

The CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022 enters the semi final stage on Thursday 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.

Ahead of the knock out stage Tanzania’s forward striker Opa Clement Tukumbuke currently leads the top scorers chart at the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2002 at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda.

Tukumbuke netted one goal in Twiga Star’s 2-2 draw against Ethiopia and four goals in their last Group B match that they won 12-0 against  Zanzibar.

“I am hungry to score as many goals to help my team win this trophy,” says Tukumbuke who plies her trade with Kayseri Kadin FK in Turkey.

Ethiopia’s duo of Argash Kalsa Tadesse and skipper Geinore Loza Abera Geinore, Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) and Burundi’s Sandrine Niyonkuru have each netted four goals.

The players who have scored three goals each include; Sandra Nabweteme (Uganda) and Shurua Omary Mwanahamisi (Tanzania).

A record 48 goals were scored in the group stage, with Tanzania scoring the highest goals (17).

Leading scorers

Opa Clement Tukumbuke (Tanzania) -5

Aregash Kalsa Tadesse (Ethiopia) – 4

Loza Abera Geinore (Ethiopia)- 4

Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) – 4

Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi) – 4

Sandra Nabweteme (Uganda) – 3

Omary Mwanahamisi (Tanzania) – 3