Ethiopia fight back from two goals down to win inaugural CECAFA Women’s U-20 Championship

It was joy for the Ethiopian Women’s national U-20 side after clinching the inaugural CECAFA U-20 Women’s championships after a hard fought 3-2 win over Uganda (hosts) at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Under the tutelage of Firew Hailegebral, the Ethiopians fought back from two goals down and a player-less to claim a hard fought 3-2 victory over Uganda in the final match of the championship.

The win saw Ethiopia finish top of the log with 15 points in the tournament played on a League format basis among the six teams.

After 6 minutes Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Lorato Eyerusalem was sent-off for a foul on Uganda’s captain Fauzia Najjemba. The Ethiopian technical bench made a quick switch and brought on Demelash Banchayehu in goal as a player was sacrificed.

But after 26 minutes Hadijah Nandago gave Uganda the lead before skipper Fauzia Najjemba made it 2-0 after 40 minutes with a free-kick that Banchayehu failed to punch out of danger.

After the break, the Ethiopian side returned hungry for goals and Ridet Assrasahang pulled one back after 50 minuntes.

Substitute Ariet Odong made it 2-2 after 78th minutes before Ethiopia’s coach Hailegebral was sent off by the referee. But the Ethiopian team did not give up and scored the winning goal through Turist Lema after 82 minutes.

“This has been a very tough game and I thank my team for remaining strong headed even after we got an early red card,”

Ethiopia’s coach Hailegebral said after the match.

Meanwhile, Naredos Getenet, Ethiopia’s skipper said it was determination and team work that won them the trophy.

“Even after going a player down, we decided to keep pushing hard,”

Getenet said after the match.

On the other hand, Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director said he was happy with the level of play.

“This competition has been very competitive and helped the teams still playing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers prepare well,”

Mossi disclosed after the game.

Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Uganda’s Former Vice President and Presidential Advisor was the chief guest during the final match and the Awards ceremony. Dr. Donald Rukare, the Chairman of the National Council of Sports (NCS) and President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) also graced the Awards ceremony.

Final table standing

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Ethiopia 5 5 0 0 18 3 15 15

Uganda 5 4 0 1 23 4 19 12

Tanzania 5 3 0 2 13 5 8 9

Burundi 5 2 0 3 11 10 1 6

Eritrea 5 1 0 4 3 10 -7 3

Djibouti 5 0 0 5 0 36 -36 0

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Defender Birkea Amare was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the championship while Uganda’s striker and captain Fauzia Najjemba went home with the top score’s gong after notching the highest number of goals (11 goals in five matches).

Uganda’s shot-stopper Daphine Nyayenga was named the Best Goalkeeper at the tournament despite conceding three goals on the final Match day.