Uganda Senior Women’s National Football Team, The Crested Cranes were eliminated from 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers after falling to Ethiopia on Wednesday.
In the return leg of the first round of the qualifiers played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, Ethiopia won 2-0 in normal time, a result that forced the game into penalties where they won 5-4.
It should be noted that Uganda won the reverse fixture 2-0 at Hamz Stadium last week.
In the tense penalties, Ethiopia edged Uganda 5-4 to progress to the next stage.
The Crested Cranes had Fazila Ikwaput sent off early on in the second half for a second bookable offence.
Uganda’s coach Sheryl Botes made two changes from the team that had started last week.
Goalkeeper Daisy Kaziro and Phionah Nabulime started in places of Ruth Aturo and Bridget Nabisaalu who were ruled out of the second leg with injuries.
Ethiopia started the better side and had the first attempt at goal in the 12th minute.
Captain Loza Abera attempted to lay up Tadesse Aregash but Zaina Nandede made a timely interception and the ball kissed the upright before going out for a corner.
The first chance for Uganda fell to Ikwaput when Joan Nabirye fed her after winning possession at the edge of the box but the former’s attempt went just wide.
In the 41st minute, goalkeeper Nakaziro pulled off a fine save to deny Abera from close range.
Nandede too had an attempt at goal at the stroke of halftime, stinging the palms of the Ethiopian goalkeeper with a ferocious strike from distance.
Uganda was reduced to ten players in the 54th minute when Fazila who was already on a yellow card was involved in a scuffle.
Ethiopia got their first goal six minutes after the hour mark when Aregash capitalized from a poor clearance by goalkeeper Nakaziro.
With seven minutes of additional time, Ethiopia were awarded a free kick at the edge of the box with a few seconds left on the cookc.
Substitute Daniel Emush scored direct from the free kick to send the game into penalties.
In the kicks from the penalty mark, Uganda’s Phiona Nabbumba and Resty Kobusobozi failed to convert while Tarikwa Debiso’s effort for Ethiopia was saved.
Ethiopia will now face the winner on aggregate between Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea at the second and final qualification round.
Ethiopia Penalty Takers
Emebet Addisu, Daniel Emush, Meadin Sahilu, Mirkat Fekele, Tarikwa Debiso (missed), Berkie Amare
Uganda’s Penalty Takers
Zaina Namuleme, Joan Nabirye, Phiona Nabbumba (missed), Phiona Nabulime, Aisha Nantongo, Resty Kobusobozi (missed)
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