Uganda, Ethiopia advance in Women’s Olympic Games qualifiers

Uganda Crested Cranes and Ethiopia have advanced to the second round of the Women’s qualifiers for the Paris Olympics 2024.

After settling for 3-3 draw in the first leg played few days ago, the two teams Rwanda and Uganda came all out today in search of a win at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

After a goalless 90 minutes substitute Fazila Ikwaput netted the important goal for the Crested Cranes after 100 minutes. The Crested Cranes cheered on by the Prime Minister of Uganda Robbina Nabanja and the Uganda FA President Moses Hassim Magogo went on to qualify on a 4-3 goal aggregate. Alphose Munyantwali, the new Rwanda FA President also watched the match.

At the Abebe Stadium in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian team defeated Chad 4-0 in the second leg clash to qualify on a 10 goal aggregate.

Skipper and the Ethiopia’s Women Player of the Year Loza Abera gave Ethiopia the lead after 11 minutes before Senaf Wakuma netted a brace to take the match to 3-0 at half time. Turist Lena made it 4-0 for Ethiopia after 89 minutes.

Uganda Crested Cranes will now face Cameroon in the second round, while Ethiopia battle Nigeria. Tanzania who got a walkover in the first round will take on Botswana. The second round matches will be played in October 23-31st, 2023.

A total of 25 African teams entered the Paris Olympic Games qualifier tournament, with 18 battling in the first round and the remaining seven highly ranked teams joining in the second round.

The eight winners of the second round will progress to the third round, then the fourth round where the teams will be whittled to four. Winners of the fourth round will qualify for the final tournament.