CECAFA Women Championship: Uganda Crested Cranes humiliate Zanzibar

Group A:

• 1st Match: Kenya 4-0 Burundi
• 2nd Match: Uganda 9-0 Zanzibar

The exciting goal galore at the 2016 CECAFA Women continued on Tuesday with Uganda Crested Cranes’ 9-0 humiliation of Island nation, Zanzibar at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru.

This was during the second match played on match day three of the tournament that has already produced 33 goals in five games.

Host nation, Uganda Crested Cranes humiliated Zanzibar 9-0 in a fast paced Group A encounter played near the source of the Africa’s largest river – The Nile that followed Kenya Harambee Starlets’ 4-0 win against Burundi.

Two time top scorer in the local Women Elite League Hasifa Nassuna led the way with four goals at the close of business of the fixture that followed mild rains.

A double set of braces from Fazilah Ikwaput and US based forward Laki Otandeka together with Christine Nambirige’s strike completed the white wash for the Islanders.

Before the first goal arrived, the host country looked panicky with hurried executions to the Zanzibar goal area.

Nassuna had a goal disallowed for offside as early as the 7^th minute of the well cheered game.

QPR midfielder Jean Seninde headed wide Nassuna’s corner in the 16^th minute before she had another headed attempt kiss the goal cross bar 10 minutes later.

Uganda Crested Cranes XI against Zanzibar Queens at FUFA Technical Center, Njeru on Tuesday

After 37 minutes, Fazilah Ikwaput, one of the two changes from the side that fell 4-0 to Kenya failed to beat goalkeeper Khadija Saleha Ali from close range.

It took the host side 40 minutes to break the deadlock through Hasifa Nassuna well converted penalty after a hand ball by Salum Fatuma Khatibu in the forbidden area.

Two minutes later, Ikwaput made it two with a calm finish off Nambirigge’s donkey work.

Christine Nambirigge scored the third on the stroke of half time by the time either sides’ players returned to the locker-rooms.

Ikwaput got Uganda’s fourth of the day, her personal second with a wonder lob over the advancing goalkeeper.

Zanzibar technical bench at this stage called for the first change of the game that witnessed Abdulla Khalid Warda paving way for Hassan Suluhu Msimu.

Moments later, Ali Hassan Siajab was replaced by a lively Paulina Michael Zacharia.

Zanzibar Queens starting XI against Uganda Crested Cranes on match day three of the CECAFA Women Championship in Njeru, Uganda

Nassuna curled home a free-kick near the edge of the goal area three minutes to the hour mark as the home side’s dominance remained pronounced with the 5th goal of the evening.

Salum was then forced to clear off the line after a Nambirige shot looked destined for to cross the white mark.

Ikwaput’s would be 3rd goal was denied for offside by the flag of Rwanda’s first assistant referee, Speciose Nyinahabari as approved by the day’s center referee, Suaris Iratunga from Burundi.

Otandeka netted a stunning strike for the sixth, Nassuna had the seventh and eighth before Otandeka netted the final nail in the coffin of the Zanzibar Queens.

The crowd at Njeru cheered every touch on ball with passion, every goal with wild screams

The Uganda Crested Cranes team brightened their chances of qualifying for the semi final as they ascend to second place in Group A.

Uganda is behind Kenya who had earlier in the day overcame Burundi 4-0 to make it six points.

Uganda, like Burundi is on 3 points. Both countries have the same goal difference although Burundi has conceded one more goal than Uganda.

The tournament continues on Wednesday with a single fixture between Horn of Africa nation, Ethiopia against Rwanda in a group B fixture.

Team Line Ups:

Uganda XI: Ruth Aturo (G.K), Christine Wanyana, Viola Namuddu, Gladys Nakitto, Yudaya Nakayenze, Jean Sseninde, Christine Nambirige, Naume Nagadya, Hasifa Nassuna, Laki Otandeka

Subs: Fatumah Matovu (G.K), Zaina Namuleme, Tracy Akiror, Shakira Nalwooga, Ritah Nabossa, Sandra Nantumbwe, Winnie Babirye

Head coach: Majidah Nantanda

Zanzibar XI: Saleha Ali Khadija (G.K), Abdallah Abdullahi Mwajuma (Captain), Riziki Abdalla Mohamed, Ali Khatib Mtumwa, Khalid Abdulla Warda, Fatuma Khatibu Salum, Hassam Ali Siajab, Nassirin Mohammed Ahmed, Khamis Rashid Zena, Sabahi Hashim Yussuf, Aziza Ali Mtumwa

Subs: Zulekha Omari Kombo, Paulina Michael Zacharia, Neema Machano Othman, Suzana Francis Agostino, Nuru Nassib Makame, Msimu Suluhu Hassan

Head coach: Mustfa Hassan Suleiman

Match officials:

Center Referee: Suaris Iratunga (Burundi)

1^st Assistant Referee: Speciose Nyinahabari (Rwanda)

2^nd Assistant Referee: Woisnet Abera (Ethiopia)

4^th Official: Salma Mukansanga (Rwanda)

Match Commissioner: Lina Kessy (Tanzania)

Referee Assessor: Maqulate Onyango (Kenya)

Media Officer: Shafi’I Abokar (Somalia)