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The two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw on Tuesday at the Pele Kigali regional stadium as Uganda, the home side on the day, conceded a late equalizer just when it looked like the hosts were headed for a 3-2 win.
Crested Cranes head coach Ayub Khalifa has his work cut out as his side prepares for the second leg of the 2024 Women’s Olympic football qualifiers against neighbours Rwanda on Sunday in Kigali.
The two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw on Tuesday at the Pele Kigali regional stadium as Uganda, the home side on the day, conceded a late equalizer just when it looked like the hosts were headed for a 3-2 win.
“We have had a good training session. We are trying to rectify the mistakes we observed in the first leg; most of our problems were in defence, and that’s where we’re concentrating,” Khalifa noted.
“We scored thrice and conceded thrice; that speaks volumes, but we shall try and sort it,” Khalifa noted.
The Drama
Ayub Khalifa’s charges got off on the back foot; defender Mukahirwa gave the visitors the lead, but Shakirah Nyinagahirwa’s low drive shot from outside the 18-yard area, levelled the game at the stroke of half-time, sending both sides to the break all square.
The Crested Cranes then took the lead for the first time in the game through Hasifah Nassuna, who slotted home from 12 yards in the 54th minute, but Rwanda fought back and levelled 12 minutes later through Nibagwire Libelle.
Substitute Fazila Ikwaput gave the hosts the lead once again in the 84 minutes. Still, two minutes later, Usanase Zawadi’s dagger sent the away fans into wild celebrations as the game ended 3-3.
Uganda hopes to advance to the next qualifying round, where they’re expected to face Cameroon.
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