WAFCON 2024 qualifiers: Rwanda, Uganda, S.Sudan target good start

Three teams from the CECAFA Zone Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan will be in action today in the first round of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 qualifiers.

Rwanda will host Ghana in the first leg at the Kigali Pele Stadium, while Uganda take on Algeria at the FUFA Technical center in Njeru. The South Sudan team will play away against Egypt at the Al-Salaam Stadium in Cairo.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Rwanda’s coach Grace Nyinawamuntu said he team is well prepared for the match and eager to give a good account infront of the home fans. ” It is important to get a good result before traveling for the return leg, ” added the coach.

Rwanda who played two friendly matches against Burundi losing 1-0 and drawing 1-1 will hope that the likes of Libelle Nibagwire and Florence Manizabayo find their touch infront of goal.

In Njeru, Uganda Crested Cranes coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi has also made it clear his team is ready to make a perfect start in the campaign. “ I believe we have had the best of preparations to make sure we win at home,” says Kiyingi.

Viola Nambi who features for Pomigliano FC in Italy together with Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Trussia) and Kampala Queens FC’s Fazila Ikwaput are expected to play pivital roles to find the goals that will propel the Crested Cranes to a good start.

Uganda is seeking to return to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the second successive time, having appeared at the last edition in Morocco last year.

For the South Sudan team professionals Amy Lasu and Deborah Luka will lead the team against Egypt as they try to get their campaign to a good start.

The match between Angola and Sudan has been cancelled, while Burundi face Ethiopia on Thursday. Three more matches involving CECAFA teams will take place on Friday with Djibouti facing Togo, Tanzania playing away to Ivory Coast, while Kenya also battle hosts Cameroon.

The teams that go past the first round will qualify for the second round. South Africa and Zambia were exempted from the first round because of being highly ranked, while Morocco have already qualified as hosts.