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

The final games of the 2021 CECAFA Women’s U-20 Championship will take place on November 9^th at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru in Uganda.

With nine games already played and 52 goals scored, the last match of the competition between Uganda and Ethiopia will decide which team will win the trophy. But before the deciding match, Burundi will face Eritrea, while Djibouti battle Tanzania.

Uganda and Ethiopia are the only unbeaten teams with 12 points each, although Uganda has a superior goal difference.

On Saturday Ethiopia briefly reclaimed top spot on the log after a 1-0 win against Burundi. Ariet Odong netted the lone goal after 58 minutes after a good cross by Naredos Getenet.

“I am happy that my players have worked hard to win again and we need to work hard and also win our last game against Uganda,” said Ethiopia’s head coach Firew Hailegebral after the match.

Eritrea also registered their first win in the competition after overcoming Djibouti 2-0 in the second match. Defender Rim Gezae Yemane and forward Diana Estifanos Teklemichael netted second half goals for Eritrea. “We shall work hard to try and get another in our last match against Burundi,” said Eritrea’s head coach Jemal Ibrahim Suleman.

The last game saw Uganda pip arch-rivals Tanzania 1-0 in a tough encounter. Skipper Fauzia Najjemba netted a 72^nd penalty to make sure Uganda maintained it’s unbeaten run.

Tanzania’s Christer John Bahera fouled Shamirah Nalugya in the box and the referee pointed for a penalty. Najjemba made no mistake from the spot slotting the ball past Tanzanian goalkeeper Husna Zuberi Mtunda.

Tanzania’s Aisha Elias Masaka and Aisha Juma Mnunka tried to push forward and get the goals, but the Ugandan defenders stood firm.

“I am happy that once again we have registered another win against a strong Tanzanian side. We need to keep working hard and make sure we beat Ethiopia in the last match to be able to win the trophy,” said Uganda’s head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi.

Bakari Shime, the Tanzanian coach said that although his team lost, this tournament is helping the team prepare better ahead of the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup qualifiers. “There are many lessons we are learning by playing as many games as possible,” said Shime.

Table standing

                    P    W    D     L     GF    GA    GD   Pts

Uganda       4     4     0      0      21       1      20    12

Ethiopia      4     4     0      0      15       1      14    12

Tanzania     4     2     0      2       5        5       0      6

Burundi      4     1      0      3      9        9       0       3

Eritrea        4      1     0      3      2        8       -6      3

Djibouti     4      0     0       4      0      28     -28      0

The CECAFA U-20 Women’s Championship will take place October 28^th to November 9^th at the FUFA Technical Centre ground in Njeru, Uganda.

Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director confirmed today that six teams will take part in the competition which will be played on a round robin basis.

He confirmed that the nations that have confirmed participation include; Tanzania, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi and hosts Uganda.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Director of Competitions made it clear that playing on a round robin basis will help the teams play as many matches as possible. “It will will also help the teams that are still playing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers,” added Mossi.

According to fixture Tanzania will face Eritrea in the opening match, before Djibouti take on Ethiopia and Uganda play Burundi, all on October 28^th.

CECAFA has so far staged three tournaments in the 2021 season. Ethiopia hosted the CECAFA U-23 Men’s Championship in the town of Bahir Dar, before the CECAFA Kagame Club Championship took place in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Last month the zonal qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League took place in Kenya. Djibouti will host the CECAFA Senior Women’s Challenge Cup in December