Kampala Queens kept their dream of winning a domestic double alive after progressing to the quarterfinals of this year’s FUFA Women’s Cup.
With the League title literally wrapped, the Queens of Soccer shifted focus to the knockout competition.
In the round of 16 fixture against FC Tooro Queens played at IUIU Ground, Kabojja on Saturday, Kampala Queens secured a 6-2 win to sail through.
Sophia Nakiyingi and Hasifah Nassuna scored a brace each while Joan Nabirye too got onto the score sheet for Kampala Queens before Cissy Kabarwani scored into her own net.
Tooro Queens on the other hand got their consolation goals through Sharon Kanyiginya and Everlyn Katusiime.
The home side were strong right from the start and it took only six minutes to open the scores.
Nakiyingi fired the Queens of Soccer in the lead heading home from Margret Kunihira’s effort.
Kunihira had initially lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Cecilia Kamuli but Nakiyingi rushed to head home the goal-bound ball.
Tooro Queens nearly levelled matters four minutes later but goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro was well-stationed to parry away Kanyiginya’s attempt from a free kick.
Kanyiginya however would later on find the back of the net after reacting quickest to head home from a rebounding ball.
In the 43rd minute, Imelda Kasimiire had her strike ricochet off the crossbar and Kanyiginya was well-stationed to find the back of the net.
At the start of the second half, Kampala Queens’ coach Hamza Lutalo made a triple change bringing on Nassuna, Sumaya Komuntale and Resty Nanziri for Damalie Matama, Dorcus Nabuufu and Lillian Mutuuzo in that order.
Referee George Nkurunziza sent off Tooro Queens’ coach Rogers Ayesiga for protesting five minutes after restart.
Two minutes later, Nabirye restored parity for Kampala Queens with her strike deflecting off Cissy Kabarwani. This was her first goal for the club.
In the 56th minute, Kunihira was fouled in the area and Nassuna was able to convert from the spot to stretch the lead for the hosts.
Five minutes later, Nassuna scored her second on the day, finishing off a well-laid pass by Kunihira.
Katusiime got the second goal for Tooro Queens in the 71st minute with a neat finish inside the area.
However, attempts at a comeback were quickly quashed with Nakiyingi getting her second goal of the day as well.
The icing on the cake came in the third minute of added time with Kabarwani scoring into her own her after failing to deal with Nanziri’s cross.
Kampala Queens become the second team to secure a slot into the quarterfinals, joining holders Makerere University who edged past Isra Soccer Academy on Friday.
At the quarterfinal stage, Kampala Queens will face either Kawempe Muslim or UCU Lady Cardinals who face off on Sunday.