Uganda’s dream of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup led to heartbreak on Saturday evening after the Queen Cranes have been held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana throughout the decisive second leg of the last word qualification spherical at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
The top consequence seen Uganda eradicated 3-2 on combination following their slim 2-1 defeat throughout the first leg in Accra.
Needing not lower than a 1-0 victory to secure a historic maiden look on the World Cup, the Queen Cranes made the proper start in entrance of a passionate dwelling crowd.
Sylvia Kabene gave Uganda the lead throughout the seventh minute after producing a wonderful run down the left flank sooner than squeezing the ball dwelling from a good angle to stage the mix score at 2-2 and ignite notion contained within the stadium.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Uganda dominated huge spells of the competitors, pressing forward with dedication in the direction of a resilient Ghanaian aspect as they seemed for the aim that will ship them by way of.
The hosts gained extra profit throughout the 69th minute when Ghana’s Margaret Agyapomaa was despatched off after stamping on Kabene whereas the Ugandan forward was already on the underside.
With Ghana decreased to 10 players and the mix score nonetheless stage, the Queen Cranes appeared firmly in administration and appeared on target to each strain extra time or full a widely known comeback.
Nonetheless, the turning stage arrived with about 10 minutes remaining.
Goalkeeper Lilian Nakirya rushed out to clear a unfastened ball nonetheless miscued her effort, forcing a Uganda defender proper right into a decided drawback on a Ghanaian attacker near the sting of the sector.
Linda Owusu Ansah stepped up and curled the following free-kick previous Nakirya’s attain to silence the expectant dwelling crowd and restore Ghana’s combination profit.
Sherly Ulanda Botes’ aspect responded with urgency throughout the closing ranges as they desperately looked for yet one more function.
Captain Agnes Nabukenya acquired right here closest for Uganda with a dangerous free-kick that drifted narrowly in depth, whereas Nakirya later redeemed herself with an excellent save to deny Sarah Nyarko from prolonged fluctuate.
No matter being second best for lots of the encounter, Ghana capitalised on their key different to secure qualification and celebrated wildly on the final whistle after reserving their place on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which can seemingly be held in Poland later this yr.
For Uganda, whose qualification advertising and marketing marketing campaign was moreover ended by Ghana ultimate yr, the look ahead to a first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup look continues.
Nonetheless, the Queen Cranes bowed out with heads held extreme after one different spirited advertising and marketing marketing campaign that highlighted the continued progress and promise of girls’s soccer in Uganda.
