WAFCON Qualifier (Second Spherical, Second Leg)
Ethiopia (5) 2-0 (4) Uganda (Agg: 2-2)
The Crested Cranes’ quest for a spot on the 2026 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) got here to a painful finish following a heartbreaking loss to Ethiopia within the second spherical of qualifiers.
Regardless of taking a 2-0 first-leg benefit, the Crested Cranes failed to carry off their decided hosts in Addis Ababa, finally falling brief in a tense penalty shootouts.
Underneath the steering of South African coach Sheryl Botes, Uganda had raised hopes with a robust begin to their qualification marketing campaign.
Within the first leg at Hamz Stadium, targets from Zainah Namuleme and Fazila Ikwaput secured a 2-0 victory.
Nonetheless, the return leg at Abebe Bikila Stadium on February 26, 2025, proved to be a distinct problem.
Uganda fought bravely however suffered a serious setback when Ikwaput was despatched off within the 54th minute.
Lowered to 10 gamers, they held on till the 66th minute, when Aregash Kalsa broke the impasse for Ethiopia.
With the match seemingly heading to further time, Etsegenet Girma delivered a shocking free kick in stoppage time to stage the mixture rating at 2-2, forcing a penalty shootout.
Within the shootout, Uganda’s Daisy Nakaziro managed to avoid wasting Senaf Wakuma’s penalty, however Ethiopia transformed 5 of their spot-kicks, sealing a 5-4 victory.
Uganda’s Namuleme, Joan Nabirye, Phionah Nabulime, and Aisha Nantongo discovered the web, however essential misses from Phionah Nabbumba and Resty Kobusobozi price them dearly.
With this end result, Ethiopia advances to face Tanzania in the ultimate spherical of qualification, leaving Uganda to replicate on what may need been after a valiant effort.
