Africa Women Cup of Nations 2018 Qualifiers (Preliminary Round):
2nd Leg: Uganda Crested Cranes 0-0 Kenya Harambee Starlets
*Kenya qualifies 1-0 on aggregate
Kenya national women football team (Harambee Starlets) will face West Africans Equatorial during the second round double legged encounter of the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The development was confirmed after Kenya’s goal-less away draw to Uganda in a match of missed scoring opportunities for the two countries at the Star Times stadium, Lugogo in Kampala on Sunday evening.
Uganda’s captain Hasifa Nassuna, playing alongside a new partner upfront (Juliet Nalukenge), had the first curry at the bite, blasting wide inside the opening 60 seconds of the fairly attended game.
On two minutes, Kenya earned their first corner of the game and Dorcas Sikobe Nixon missed with a free header.
Lillian Odaa Adera, scorer of a long range goal in the first leg missed target from free-kick by close inches after four minutes into the game.
In a typical end to end game, Nalukenge found herself with a goalie to beat incident but was closed out by Poline Atieno Owino on 5 minutes.
The big talking point for the match arrived on the 7th minute when Kenya was denied a goal by South African referee Zennith Makalima after Mercy Onyango’s teasing cross on the left was headed home by the diminutive albeit hardworking Adam Mwanalima.
Under the next minute, Uganda’s left back Grace Aluka had a distant free-kick fly narrowly over the bar.
When the second half restarted, Uganda’s technical bench called for the first change.
Spencer Nakacwa came in for Zaina Namuleme at the very kick off of the second stanza.
On 57 minutes, Asia Nakibuuka was replaced by Winnie Babirye before hard working blocking midfielder Tracy Jones Akiror paved way for Phiona Nabbumba.
The changes did not yield any instant dividend but at least added to the already existing pressure.
Kenya’s three changes in the second half witnessed Mercy Onyango Achieng limp out for the free legs of Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu after 61 minutes for the first amendement.
Ten minutes later, right back Elizabeth Ambogo’s place was taken over by Pauline Msungu and the hard working winger Adam Jereko Mwanalima was rested for Phoeby Okech Owiti.
Nalukenge tested the goalkeeper Owino on 59 minutes but she was alert.
Inside the final 20 minutes, Nassuna had a chance to bury the game with a free-kick near 20 yards but she shot directly at the well stationed goalkeeper.
Kenya held onto the score-less draw to progress to the next round.
The 1-0 on aggregate result over the two legs implies Kenya will play against Equatorial Guinea as the two countries battle for a slot at AFWCON Cameroon 2018.
Team Line Ups:
Uganda Crested Cranes XI:
Ruth Aturo (GK), Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, Shakilah Mutibwa, Asia Nakibuuka (57′ Winnie Babirye), Tracy Jones Akiror (76′ Phiona Nabbumba), Juliet Nalukenge, Hasifa Nasuuna (Captain), Zaina Namuleme (46′ Spencer Nakacwa)
Subs Not Used:
Daisy Nakaziro, Gladys Nakito, Joyce Nakakoza, Damali Matama
Kenya Harambee Starlets XI:
Poline Atieno Owino (G.K), Lillian Adera, Elizabeth Ambogo (71’ Pauline Msungu), Ann Wendy Achieng Asol (Captain), Dorcas Sikobe Nixon, Mercy Onyango Achieng (61’ Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu), Vivian Aquino Carozone, Carolyne Anyango Omondi, Sheril Angachi Andiba, Jereko Mwanalima Adam (80’ Phoeby Okech Owiti), Neddy Atieno Okoth
Subs Not Used:
Maureen Shimuli (G.K), Caroline Chepkoech Kiget, Cheris Salano Avilia
Match Officials:
• Center Referee: Zennith Makalima Akhona (South Africa)
• Assistant Referee 1: Baaitse Peggy Manca (South Africa)
• Assistant Referee 2: Nembaleni Vhahangele (South Africa)
• Fourth Official: Lindiwe Thwala (South Africa)
• Commissioner: Sarah Legco Chao (Tanzania)