Black Princess registered a 2-1 victory against Uganda in the U-20 Women’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende on Saturday
Rahama Jafaru and Salamatu Abdulai placed Ghana in the driving seat before Fauzia Najjemba pulled back one for the hosts.
Margaret Kunihira’s quick foot gave Ghana’s defence hard time in their box but Abena Opoku timely cleared the ball out of danger.
Fauzia Najjemba beat her markers with pace but failed to beat Ghana’s custodian Konlan Cynthia Fiindib who rushed off her line to keep matters in per.
In the 20th minute, defender Asia Nakibuuka mistimed the aerial ball hence losing the ball to Abdulai Salamatu who looped the ball over Daphine Nyayenga to give Ghana the lead.
Ghana’s Boaduwaa Doris nearly extend their lead after passing through a forest of bodies but her resultant effort was palmed away by Nyayenga in a spectacular save.
Ghana’s Teye Suzzy Dede proved a set-piece specialist after hitting the left goal post and missing the target by inches on the second attempt.
At the start of the second stanza, Catherine Nagadya paved way for Lillian Mutuuzo as Ayub Khalifa’s charges searched for a leveller.
Three minutes into the second stanza Amina Grace perfectly curled the ball past the wall into the back of the net to extend Ghana’s lead.
Midfielder Shamirah Nalugya was introduced in the field of play to replace Kunihira who had a bad day in office.
Najjemba was fouled at the edge of the box, Nalugya stepped up to take the freekick but Ghana’s custodian pushed it away from the goal line.
Pacy winger Zainah Nandede replaced Hadijah Nandago to add more pace at the front of Uganda.
As second half was looming, Nalugya was fouled in the box by Boaduwa and Najjemba stepped up and converted from the spot.
The second leg will be played in Ghana after a fortnight.
The winner between the two sides will play the victor between Ethiopia and Tanzania at the last hurdle in March 2022.
How they lined up:
Uganda XI: Daphine Nyayenga (GK), Sumaya Komuntale, Nantongo Aisha, Catherine Nagadya, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Samalie Nakacwa, Hadija Nandago, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira, Bira Nadunga, Nakibuuka Asia.
Substitutes: Kanyago Harima, Kevin Nakacwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Aluka Grace, Joan Namusisi, Zainah Nandede, Mutuuzo Lillian.
Ghana XI: Konlan Cynthia Fiindib (GK), Abena Anoma Opoku, Duah Susan Ama, Louisa Aniwaa, Suzzy Dede Teye, Doris Boaduwaa, Rahama Jafaru, Anasthesia Achiaa ©️, Salamatu Abdulai, Azumah Bugre, Grace Animah.
Substitutes:- Rebecca Atinga, Monica Addai,Sophaiah M. Agyaakwa, Afia Nyarko, Zuleiha Fuseini, Grace Banwaa Buoadu(GK), Mafia Nyame.
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