Uganda beats South Africa to lift inaugural COSAFA U17 Girls’ Championship

By Our Reporter

Uganda U17 girls’ national team emerged winners of the inaugural COSAFA U17 Girls’ championship after overcoming South Africa in the final played on Sunday at St. Francois Xavier Stadium in Mauritius.

A spirited performance guided Uganda to a 2-1 victory to encrypt their name in the history books as the first winners of the tournament.

Fauzia Najjemba and captain Juliet Nalukenge scored a goal each while South Africa got theirs’ from Tiffany Kortjie.

Coach Ayub Khalifa made only one change in the starting team bringing back Samalie Nakachwa for Catherine Nagaddya.

Najjemba opened the scores in the 57th minute thanks to a fine pass from Nalukenge that released her before she slotted home.

However, South Africa drew the game level in the 76th minute through Tiffany Kortjie but Uganda remained determined and kept surging forward.

With three minutes on the clock, Nalukenge fired home the winner off Najjemba’s cross from the right.

The captain ended the tournament as the top scorer with 18 goals in five games. She was also named the player of the match for the final.

We had a good game. My players did what we planned tactically. We deserved to win the trophy. every player gave out her best. Said Ayu Khalifa

Ayub made two substitutes, Catherine Nagadya came in for Samali Nakacwa while Moureen Nangozi replaced injured Kevin Nakacwa

Goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga was also named the best shot-stopper at the tournament conceding just two goals.

In total, Uganda played five games, winning four, drawing once and scoring 46 goals.

Uganda 1-1 Zambia, Uganda 11-0 Mauritius, Comoros 0-20 Uganda, Uganda 12-0 Botswana and Uganda 2-1 South Africa

Uganda Girls U17 XI:

Daphine Nyayenga (GK) (Uganda Martyrs HS), Gillian Akadinda (Olila HS), Patricia Akiror (Masaka SS), Stella Musibika (Kawempe Muslim SS), Bira Nadunga (Olila High School), Kevin Nakacwa (Uganda Martyrs), Margret Kunihira (Kawempe Muslim SS), Shakira Nyinagahirwa (Kawempe Muslim SS), Juliet Nalukenge (Captain – Kawempe MuslimSS), Fauzia Najjemba (Mukono High School), Samalie Nakachwa(Kawempe Muslim SS).

Substitutes

Joan Namusisi (GK) (Mukono HS), Gift Nasasira (GK) (Gadafi Integrated), Sumayah Komuntale (King of Kings), Moureen Nangonzi (Mukono HS), Catherine Nagadya(Katuuso Community), Precious Atwiine (Up Hill College), Cissy Kabarwani (King of Kings), Hadijah Nandago (Kawempe Muslim SS), and Zaitun Namaganda (Taggy High School).