The Crested Cranes needed a comeback against Burundi to finish top of Group A on Sunday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
Uganda conceded an early goal in the game after Falonne Nahimana scored for Burundi in the 10th minute, but the Cranes responded through forward Fazila Ikwaput and goals from second half substitutes, Shamirah Nalugya and Sandra Nabweteme(brace) sealed the win for Uganda in a 4-1 victory.
Burundi took the lead in the tenth minute through striker Nahimana. The forward capitalised on a mistake by Riticia Nabossa whose intended back pass did not reach defender Aisha Nantongo thus firing the ball beyond goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro.
The lead was however short-lived with Ikwaput running behind the Burundi backline to slot home.A long ball from defender Margaret Namirimu was brushed into Ikwaput’s path by Juliet Nalukenge thus beating off the entire Burundi defence.
Hasifah Nassuna attempted from far but her shot went inches wide while Asia Nakibuuka too got close from a rebound but her ferocious strike from distance sailed over.
The two teams went into the halftime break on level terms. After recess, Coach George Lutalo made three changes, bringing on Shamirah Nalugya, Sandra Nabweteme and Phiona Nabbumba in place of Joan Nabirye, Nabbosa and Nalukenge.
Two minutes later, Nalugya struck home from a distance to send Uganda into the lead for the first time.
There were further changes for Uganda moments later, with Margaret Kunihira replacing Lillian Mutuuzo while Zaina Nandede replaced Ikwaput.
Kunihira was industrious on the left flank and she produced the assist for Nabweteme goal in the 79th minute.
Nabweteme put the icing on the cake with a sublime finish deep into stoppage time.
The result means Uganda tops Group A on nine points, Burundi finish in second place on 6 points while Rwanda and Djibouti end with 3 and 0 points respectively.
Uganda Starting XI
Daisy Nakaziro(GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nnatongo, Margaret Namirimu, Joan Nabirye, Riticia Nabbosa, Hasifa Nassuna, Juliet Nalukenge, Fazila Ikwaput, Lillian Mutuuzo
Burundi Starting XI
Ariella Umurerwa (GK), Diane Irankunda, Bora Ineza, Zilfa Suzanne, Adolphine Suzanne, Sandrine Niyonkuru, Asha Djafari, Angelique Keza, Nasra Nahimana, Joelle Bukuru, Falonne Nahimana
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