Match report: Nandago’s first half header earns Uganda first leg victory over South Africa

Uganda U20 Women’s National football team has increased its chances of making it to the fourth round of the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over South Africa’s U20 Women’s National football team at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in the first leg of the third round.

Uganda secured a 1-0 slim first leg victory in the 19th minute when a well laid Margaret Kunihira corner kick was headed goalwards by the well positioned Hadijjah Nandago ‘Maama Lususu’ .

Hadijah Nandago celebrates | Fufa Media Photo

The home side started the match brightly, keeping the majority of possession and trying to find a way through, and they were soon camped in the South Africa’s half as Margaret Kunihira, Hadijah Nandago, Fauzia Najjemba and Juliet Nalukenge surged forward on numerous occasions but were unable to utilize their opportunities.

Uganda’s first major chance of the game came after just six minutes when team captain Fauzia Najjemba set up left back Sumaya Komuntale whose left-footed trademark effort at the near post tested the handling of the visitors goalkeeper Nthabiseng Ramaisha.

The visitors were struggling to get hold of the ball and Ayub Khalifa’s high-flying girls were enjoying the chance to show off their skills, albeit without really threatening to unlock the South African defence.

In the 11th minute, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC defender Aisha Nantongo who played as a midfielder in the absence of the injured Shamirah Nalugya almost opened the scoring but her thunderous strike outside the box hit the crossbar.

Eight minutes later Uganda finally secured the breakthrough,when the ever well positioned Hadija Nandago headed home off a well taken Margret Kunihira corner kick from the right flank to give Uganda the much needed lead in the 14th minute and went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

South Africa came out after the break a much-improved side and Lithemba Sam-Sam and captain Lonathemba Mhlongo gave Uganda a scare with efforts that went close but Uganda’s backline of Asia Nakibuuka Biira Naddunga, Sumaya Komuntale and Samalie Nakachwa showed mental strength and their never say die spirit to deny the visitors any chances.

Uganda U20 Women’s National football team Head coach Ayub Khalifa brought on Zainah Nandede and Lilian Mutuuzo for Margret Kunihira and Juliet Nalukenge respectively in the 76th minute.

Moments later, the visitors had a golden chance to level matters in the 78th minute but Lithemba Sam-Sam’s goal-bound effort after Daphine Nyayenga’s error was brilliantly cleared by right back Samalie Nakachwa.

The hosts began to stamp their authority on proceedings in the closing minutes of the the game and substitute Lilian Mutuuzo almost made it two in the 81st minute but her low shot from the left went inches away after Fauzia Najjemba had unselfishly crossed.

Najjemba nearly doubled Uganda’s lead but her powerful shot from a close range rattled off the goal post in the dying minutes of the game but that didn’t stop her side from securing the first leg victory at the fulltime whistle.

The first leg victory was just a reward for Ayub Khalifa’s side who, despite never being at their most fluent, were always in the ascendancy and should have had more to show than just the solitary strike.

The return leg will be played on 17th December, 2021 in Johannesburg (South Africa) and the winner over two legs, will face Ghana or Zambia in the next round of the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup that will be held in Costa Rica in 2022.

HOW THEY LINED-UP

UGANDA

STARTING XI

Daphine Nyayenga (GK)
Samalie Nakacwa
Sumaya Komuntale
Bira Nadunga
Nakibuuka Asia
Nantongo Aisha
Shakira Nyinagahirwa
Hadijah Nandago
Juliet Nalukenge
Fauzia Najjemba
Margret Kunihira

SUBSTITUTES 

Saidah Namwanje
Kanyago Harima
Eva Nagayi
Catherine Nagadya, Aluka Grace
Zaina Nandede
Mutuuzo Lillian

SOUTH AFRICA

STARTING XI

Nthabiseng Ramaisha(GK) 
Sharol Dineo Ramoaka
Thimna Mpehle
Lonathemba Mhlongo(C)
Fikile Magama
Zethembiso Vilakazi
Wendy Shongwe
Chelsea Joy Daniels
Sphumelele Shamase
Lithemba Sam-Sam
Mmabatho Mogale.

SUBSTITUTES 

Samkelisiwe Promise Salena
Thubelihle Shamase
Nthabiseng Ronisha Majiya
Reitumetse Mosuoe.

Some of the highlights from today's game between Uganda and South Africa. pic.twitter.com/xPS2hKa2vP
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 3, 2021

For starters , Africa as a continent will have two representatives at the final of the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup that will be held in Costa Rica in 2022.

The tournament, staged every two years, will see sixteen nations compete against each other for top honours. With continental qualification pathways leading to an exciting finals event, the competition has seen four past champions: USA, Germany, Japan and Korea DPR. Japan are the defending champions, having won their first title in 2018.