By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Uganda lifted the first edition of the CECAFA U-17 Girls’ Championship after overcoming Kenya at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Tuesday.
Going into the final day with three teams still in contention (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda), every game played on Tuesday mattered Tanzania set the pace on the day defeating Djibouti 10-0 to move to 11 points as they waited for the game between Uganda and Kenya with 10 points; Uganda needed just a point against Kenya to ensure they lift the championship trophy.
In the game proper, the magnificent duo of Fauzia Najjemba and Juliet Nalukenge scored for Ayub Khalifa’s side.
After a dominant early display, Najjemba pounced to open the scoring on 31 minutes.
A minute to the break, Nalukenge added a second to ensure Uganda held a comfortable lead at half time.
The second was all about seeing out the score and they managed to do exactly that.
Uganda finished the competition with four victories and a draw from five games.
However, the team managed by Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi started like a house on fire and took the lead through Fauzia Najjemba before skipper Juliet Nalukenge stretched the lead before the break.
In the second stanza, Uganda kept their lead intact to claim maximum points and eventually claim the title.
It should be noted, that this is the same team that won the COSAFA U-17 Girls’ Championship in November this year.
Nalukenge who was the top scorer at the COSAFA Championship with 18 goals ended the tournament with 9 while her partner in crime Najjemba managed 7.
At the awarding ceremony, the best performers of the competition were announced.
Najjemba was named Most Valuable Plyer, Tanzania’s Aisha Khmis finished as Top scorer, and Uganda’s Nyanyenga Daphine won the Golden Glove while Burundi took the Fair Play Award.
