By Spy Uganda
Hosts Uganda and Ethiopia earned comfortable results on Saturday as the 2021 CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship started at the FUFA Technical Centre.
In the three games played, Ethiopia routed Djibouti 7-0, Uganda defeated Burundi 5-1 while Tanzania nicked a 1-0 victory over Eritrea.
Tanzania set the tone of the tournament, winning the opening game thanks to a stoppage time goal from Clara Cleitus Luvanga.
Despite getting several scoring chances on the day, Tanzania had to wait until the first minute of added time to find the breakthrough.
Coach Bakari Shime indicated they will have to improve going forward if they are to win the Championship.
“The result is important for us but I’m disappointed with the performance and I know we have to improve in the next games,” he said.
His counterpart Jamal Ibrahim lauded his charges for a spirited fight despite losing and hopes for better results in the coming games.
“We fought throughout the game and the players did well to tame Tanzania. It is unfortunate that we lost towards the end but we shall come back stronger in the next games,” said Jamal.
In the second game, Ethiopia were ruthless, securing the biggest win at the tournament so far.
Ridet Assrasang orchestrated the damage scoring a hat trick while Turist Lema registered a brace with the other goals coming from Etsegnet Girma and second half substitute Betlehem Bekele.
Djibouti ended the game with a player less following the dismissal of Marwa Daher Moussa midway through the first half.
Uganda, the hosts made a perfect start to the tournament, winning 5-1 against Burundi thanks to goals from captain Fauzia Najjemba (two), Magret Kunihira, Hadija Nandago and Shamirah Nalugya.
Burundi got their consolation goal through Pascicie Butoyi.
Action will resume on Monday with Uganda playing Djibouti in the first game, Tanzania will face Burundi while Eritrea will take on Ethiopia.
