The Bright Starlets of South Sudan have registered their first win at the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.
After losing their opening Group B match 2-0 to Tanzania a few days ago, Coach Shilene Margaret Booysen’s team came all out to defeat Zanzibar 1-0 in a match played at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda.
Stephen Debora Luka Alworonga netted the lone goal after 80 minutes when she cleverly placed the ball past Zanzibar’s goalkeeper Yassin Zuwena.
The two teams had attacked from the start of the match, but looked blunt in front of goal. Dawa Vual had a chance to score for Zanzibar earlier in the first half, but shot wide.
Sarah Mathew and Alworonga also failed to convert what looked easy scoring opportunities for South Sudan earlier in the match.
The win sends South Sudan to third on the log behind Ethiopia and Tanzania who each have four points. A win for Booysen’s team in their last Group match against Ethiopia could see them qualify for their first ever knock out stage in the regional tournament.
“I am happy that my players gave their best and managed to get a win. We shall take this positive attitude to our last Group match against Ethiopia on Monday,” said South Sudan’s coach Booysen.
In an earlier thrilling encounter Tanzania and Ethiopia settled for a 2-2 draw.
Skipper Geinore Loza Abera gave Ethiopia the lead after only 8 minutes, but Opa Clement made it 1-1 after capitalizing on a defensive error by Gila Muso Hasabe.
Later Mesay Temesgen Tanga outpaced the Tanzanian defenders to score Ethiopia’s second goal. It was defender Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila who made sure Tanzania picked a point when she fired in a free kick from 40 yards past Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Balcha Tarikua Bargena.
Firew Hailegebral Asefa, the Ethiopian coach said although they drew in the match against Tanzania, they are still determined to take the trophy home. “We want to also win this trophy like we did last year in the Women’s U-20 Championship,” added a confident Asefa.
After South Sudan defeated Zanzibar, the Tanzanian team has also qualified for the semi final stage before they play their last Group match on Monday.
On Sunday Rwanda and Djibouti who failed to qualify for the knockout stage after losing two games each will face off in the first Group A match of the day. Uganda Crested Cranes will later battle Burundi to determine which team will finish top of the group. - Confédération Africaine de Football
