Crested Cranes’s maiden CECAFA title was never going to be a walk in the park but the ladies staged a high level of resistance and hard work as they iced the cake with a 3-1 victory against Burundi.
Meeting Burundi a side they beat 4-1 in the last group of the game meant two things, either it’s an easy opponent played before or Burundi seeking for a timely revenge onto the hosts.
The Crested Cranes found the perfect start as Sandra Nabweteme calm tapped home Hassifah Nassuna’s ‘no look’ assist off Asia Nakibuuka’s long ball, two minutes into the game.
Moments later, Burundi looked for a quick response through Asha Djafari whose powerful effort was well collected by Crested Cranes custodian Daisy Nakaziro.
Three minutes to the half hour mark, Nassuna beat left back, Rachelle Bukuru and laid a cross in the area but Fazila Ikwaput’s header went wide by inches.
Burundi continued to grow in stature as they started to craft mouthwatering chances and Uganda was lucky once again as Charlotte Irankunda rattled off the cross bar.
Five minutes to the closure of the first stanza Nabweteme remained with a goalkeeper to beat but Burundi’s central defender made a timely clearance.
But at the death of the first half, Ikwaput left the defender and goalkeeper on the floor to place the ball in an empty net as the fans went on their feet in chants and excitement.
As the second stanza kicked off, Joelle Bukuru’s long range beat Nakaziro on a long range in the same manner when Burundi found a consolation in the group game they played.
Nabweteme sealed the championship and engraved Creasted Cranes on the trophy which a third in added time.
Tournament Awards
Most Valuable Player: Fazila Ikwaput ( Six goals)
Top Scorer: Opa Clement Tukumbuke ( Seven goals )
Fair Play:- Tanzania
Best Goalkeeper:- Daisy Nakaziro (Three clean sheets and only two goals conceded)
How they lined up
Uganda XI: Daisy Nakaziro (Gk), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Margaret Namirimu, Sandra Nabweteme, Fazila Imwaput, Hasifa Nassuna, Joan Nabirye, Aisha Nantongo, Zainah Nandede, Shamirah Nalugya
Burundi XI: Amissa Inarukundo (Gk), Diane Irankunda, Charlotte Irankunda, Peace Olga Niyomwungere, Aniella Uwimana, Suzanne Zilfa, Sandrine Niyonkuru, Asha Djafari, Angelique Keza, Rachele Bukuru, Joelle Bukuru
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