Striker Allen Nassazi was the difference as Kawempe Muslim staged a comeback to eliminate UCU Lady Cardinals from this year’s FUFA Women’s Cup.
In the round of 16 encounter played at the Valley Ground on Sunday, Nassazi scored a second half brace as Kawempe Muslim secured a 2-1 win.
Sharon Naddunga fired UCU Lady Cardinals into the lead just 17 minutes into the game and the visitors would go on to lead at the break.
At the start of the second half Kawempe Muslim coach Ayub Khalifa opted to bring on Nassazi, replacing Rebecca Nakato.
UCU goalkeeper Hadijah Nalongo saved two penalties, one from Shakirah Nyinagahirwa and the other from Hadijah Nandago.
However, Nassazi’s heroics could not be stopped on a day she took matters into her own hands.
Six minutes upon restart, Kawempe were awarded a penalty when Shadia Nankya held the ball in the box.
Nyinagahirwa stood up to take the resultant penalty but goalkeeper Nalongo dived the right way to parry the ball away.
The home side however, kept surging forward and indeed their persistent pressure yielded dividends.
Two minutes after Nyinagahirwa has missed a penalty, Nassazi rose highest to node home from Jolly Kobusingye’s well taken corner kick.
The stocky forward nearly replicated the same incident when she met Samalie Nakacwa’s cross but her headed effort went just wide.
In the 67th minute, Kawempe Muslim were awarded another penalty after Nyinagahirwa was fouled by goalkeeper Nalongo.
The hosts opted to change the penalty taker and this time, it was Nandago. Her feeble effort to the left was easily collected by the lanky shot stopper.
With nine minutes to the end of the game, Nassazi found the back of the net this time capitalizing on a goalkeeping howler by Nalongo.
A long delivery from Nakacwa was mishandled by Nalongo and the ball spilled into the path of Nassazi who first feinted off the goalkeeper before firing home to send the fans into wild celebrations.
Victory means Kawempe Muslim will face Kampala Queens in the quarterfinals. The latter eliminated Tooro Queens with a 6-2 win on Saturday.
The other teams already in the quarterfinals include holders Makerere University, Asubo Gafford Ladies and St. Noa Girls SS.