• Friday, July 7 | Friendly Game | Result
• Crested Cranes 3-1 Twiga Stars

Uganda Cranes registered a 3-1 victory against Tanzania in a friendly game played at MTN Omondi Stadium on Friday evening.

Catherine Nagadya, Fauzia Najjemba and Margaret Kunihira were on target for Crested Cranes.

In the third minute, Clement Opa placed the visiting side ahead after she was paid to her aggressiveness and willingness to win possession.

Crested Cranes custodian delayed to attack a loose ball that had bounced off defender Sandra Nankya.

Sandra Nabweteme pulled off some magic on the right flank before she released Hassifah Nassuna whose chilly effort beat Tanzania’s goalkeeper Husna Mtunda but only sailed out.

In the 22nd minute, Najjemba laid a powerful cross from the left flank and Tanzania’s Eneika Kasonga nearly directed the ball into her net.

At half an hour, Nagadya restored parity after tapping home Najjemba’s low cross.

Five minutes to the end of the first stanza, Sandra Nabweteme set up Najjemba but the forward was slow to make a decision. Her resultant effort was smartly blocked by Fatuma Issa from close range.

After recess, Crested Cranes goalkeeper and skipper Ruth Aturo paved the way for Daisy Nakaziro.

Three minutes past the hour mark, Hasifah Nassuna nearly gave the home side a lead after she passed through a forest of legs but her effort rattled off the frame.

In the 85th minute, Najjemba finally gave the home side a well-deserved lead, Tanzania’s custodian failed to punch the ball before the forward tapped into the net.

A minute later, second-half entrant Kunihira’s long ball beat the goalkeeper before it dropped into the net.

The victory will give Crested Cranes motivation ahead of their doubleheader against Rwanda in Kigali.

How they lined Up

Crested Cranes XI: Ruth Aturo (Gk), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komutale, Aisha Natongo, Shadia Nankya, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Catherine Nagadya, Fauzia Najjemba, Sandra Nabweteme

Twiga Stars XI: Husna Mtunda (Gk), Aisha Mnuka, Eneika Kasonga, Noela Luhala, Valieth Nicholaus, Fatuma Issa, Koku Kipanga, Diana Lucas, Oppa Clement Hasnat Ubamba, Winfrida Gerald

Ahead of the Women’s Olympic Football qualifiers, Crested Cranes will face off against Twiga Stars in a Friendly duel at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday.

Uganda’s Women’s senior football team will use the game to sharpen their troops ahead of a tough game against Rwanda in the preliminary round of the qualifiers.

Crested Cranes assistant coach Ayub Khalifah has preached readiness ahead of the friendly duel.

“We are ready for this game and fully aware of how important it is in our preparation,” the gaffer said during the pre-match press conference.

“Having a game of such a magnitude against a very good team definitely helps us to know where we stand and what we need to improve before facing Rwanda,” he added.

Between Uganda and Rwanda, the winner on aggregate will later face Cameroon on the qualification ground.

Rwanda will have an advantage since both games will be played in Kigali but Khalifah says that should not be a reason to fear since it hardly came as a surprise.

“Yes, it’s a situation we find ourselves in as a country buts it’s not a surprise. It does not mean we should not prepare,” he underlined.

“We shall go into both games with the same spirit in order to attain our target of going to the next round.”

After the withdrawal of Congo, Tanzania progressed onto the next round where they will be playing Botswana who as well received a bye for the preliminary round.