The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
💠COSAFA U-17 WOMEN’s CHAMPIONSHIP
🇺🇬 2 🇿🇦 1
Player of the tournament: 🇿🇦 Wade
Golden boot: 🇺🇬 Juliet Nalukenge
Golden gloves: 🇺🇬 Daphine Nyayenga
Fair play: 🇧🇼 Botswana
Port Luis, Mauritius | COSAFA.COM | Uganda have been crowned champions of the inaugural 2019 COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championship after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa in the final at the St Francois Xavier Stadium in Port Louis, Mauritius on Sunday.
The East African guest nation become just the second visiting team to lift a COSAFA title after Tanzania did likewise in the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championship that was played in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa in August.
It was a tightly contested final in which the Ugandans shaded the chances, but a fitting end to what has been a magnificent tournament in which 158 goals were scored in only 16 matches.
That provided rich entertainment for the enthusiastic crowd, but also vital experience for the players at what is an important introduction to international football in this age-group.
Uganda opened the scoring through Fauzia Najjemba on 56 minutes as she burst between two defenders after some hesitant South African defending to slot the ball past goalkeeper Karabo Mohale.
It was a 13th goal of the tournament for the prolific forward, but there was no element of luck involved as she showed an expert technique to lift the ball past the on-rushing keeper.
The South Africans were level when Nabeelah Galant’s persistence down the right flank saw her cross for substitute Tiffany Kortjie to head home and make it 1-1.
But the East Africans regained the lead with five minutes remaining as Najjemba’s cross was turned home by the prolific Juliet Nalukenge with an expert finish. (read full tournament stats on page 2)
