Uganda U20 Women’s National Football Team, the Queen Cranes played out a one-all draw with hosts Ghana to confirm their place in the semifinals of the ongoing African Games 2023.
In the game played on Friday at Cape Coast Stadium, Catherine Nagadya fired Uganda into the lead before Ghana found the equalizer through Abdulai Mukarama.
Even before kicking the ball on Friday, Uganda had already progressed to the last four after Ethiopia and Tanzania played out a one-all draw in the earlier game.
The result meant that Tanzania ended with two points while Ethiopia managed to pick just one point from the three games and thus could not go beyond Uganda that had four points before facing Ghana.
Uganda’s coach Sheryl Botes made two changes from the team that had defeated Ethiopia with Krusum Namutebi replacing suspended Shakirah Nankwanga at the heart of defence.
The other change saw Immaculate Kizza start up front ahead of Juliet Nalukenge.
It was captain Nagadya who opened the scoring in the 10th minute, tapping the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
Docus Lwalisa set up Shamusa Najjuma from a free kick and the latters effort deflected off a Ghanian defender before setting perfect for Nagadya to flick home.
Margret Kunihira nearly doubled the lead minutes later but her effort kissed just above the net on top of the cross bar.
The hosts equalized in the 36th minute through Mukarama who turned off Namutebi before shooting beyond goalkeeper Sharon Kaidu.
Neither side could find the winning goal in the remaining minutes and thus the game ended in a one-all draw.
The result means Ghana finish top of Group A on seven points and will face Senegal in the semifinals.
Uganda on the other end ended with five points in second place and will take on Nigeria who topped Group A.
The semifinals for the Women’s Football Tournament will be played on Monday at Cape Coast Stadium.
