Uganda U17 Women’s National Football Team, the Teen Cranes, booked their slot in the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers after eliminating Zimbabwe on Saturday.
The Teen Cranes put up a remarkable performance to win the return leg played at FUFA Stadium – Kadiba, 4-1 and thus progress 6-1 on aggregate.
Brendah Nassaka, Immaculate Acen, Giovanna Aketogwanga and Terry Mora Oseko scored a goal each to guide Uganda to victory. Zimbabwe got their consolation through Shantel Gwenhamo.
Nassaka gave Uganda the lead in the tenth minute, with her neat strike inside the box finding the back of the net.
Acen should have doubled the lead in the 26th minute when Uganda was awarded a penalty, but her strike hit the base of the post. She eventually got onto the score sheet four minutes after the half-hour mark, finishing from close range before Aketogwanga stretched the scoreline further.
At the stroke of halftime, Shantel Gwenhamo pulled one back for Zimbabwe, capitalising on a mistake by Sharifah Namutebi.
Second-half substitute Terry Marry Oseko put the icing on the cake, finishing from close range when Grace Kawino, another substitute, teed her up.
Uganda will now face Kenya in the second qualification round. The latter eliminated Namibia 7-1 on aggregate. The game will be played at the end of May.
