The Pearl
The Pearl

Uganda Crested Cranes bag the women’s 2022 CECAFA trophy

After a long dry spell, Uganda Crested Cranes brought the trophy home after beating the Burundi side by a 3-1 score in the CECAFA senior women’s championship 2022.

The journey to the finals was cemented after the Ugandans ejected Ethiopia from the race with a 1-0 win, as the Uganda Crested Cranes advanced to the finals alongside Burundi. This was a win that had eluded the team for several years and the goal was netted by Fazila Ikwaput.  On June 11, the two teams; Burundi and Uganda Crested Cranes met and the former was defeated.

Held at the FUFA Technical Centre on Saturday, the first goal was scored by Sandra Nabweteme, two minutes into the game, followed by one from Fazila Ikwaput after 43 minutes.

After the recess, the Burundi team pressed the Ugandan side until they were able to get one goal past Daisy Nakaziro, Uganda’s goalkeeper. The goal was netted by Joelle Bukuru, 49 minutes into the game.

As the Burundi team continued to press for more goals, there arose a defensive mix-up, a loophole Nabweteme utilised to score another goal. It was this that cemented their victory. The coach, George William Lutalo was also enthused by the win saying it is a sweet victory, a motivation needed ahead of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco in July.

The President congratulated the team through his Twitter handle @KagutaMuseveni saying, “I congratulate the Crested Cranes on winning the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship. I also congratulate our sister country Burundi for turning up competitively. As a supporter of East Africa and Africa, I hope that we use more of these games as a toll to mobilise for unity.”

The speaker of Parliament, Hon Anita Annet Among through @AnitahAmong also sent them a congratulatory message saying, “I want to thank the Crested Cranes for wiping our tears and lifting our flag high. We have made a significant addition to the sports budget this financial year and the one for women will be ring-fenced for that purpose.”

We wish you all the best in the upcoming tournament.