The Crested cranes and Burkina Faso women team ended their stay at the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco yesterday with a two-all draw.
Burkina Faso flouted all odds to hold the count balanced as they came after Uganda onto the next plane home.
The first five minutes of play were defined by intense raids, with Uganda on the receiving edge of the pressure that was being hoisted by Burkina Faso.
Margret Kuniihira breached Burkina Faso defense to score an early goal at 7 minutes for Uganda on her first appearance in the tournament as Uganda continued to threaten damage.
Burkina Faso were broken down into a 10-woman squad after center referee Patience Ndidi reviewed the VAR and allotted Madinatou Rouamba a straight red card at 14 minutes into the first half. Earlier on, the 20-year old Rouamba had moved on with a yellow card but was later nullified for a red one to count her action on Fauzia Najjemba.
Uganda got relaxed in the lead and it was not long before Adama Congo tramped through their penetrable defense to level scores for Burkina Faso after she tore down four defenders off an interception from the midfield.
Almost when all thought the first half would end in a one all draw, Sandra Nabweteme came in with a goal to navigate Uganda once again into the lead of the already heated up game. The goal came off an interception in the midfield by Shamirah Nalugya after Burkina Faso’s Zongo Diamilatou experimented a playback in a dangerous position.
Uganda went in for another shock when Naome Kabre squared the scores in the last three minutes of the first stanza to make it 2-2 and deny Uganda an opportunity to play in the quarter finals.
Both teams had a go at each other despite ending the second half goalless.
Fauzia Najjembe and Fazila Ikwaput failed to convert for Uganda at the front despite the endless through passes that kept coming their way from Shamirah Nalugya who was instrumental in the midfield.
Ritah Kivumbi came on to force a presence in the attacking line as a substitute for Fazila Ikwaput while Lukiya Namubiru came in as a replacement for Aisha Nantongo to stabilize a lagging Uganda defense.
Uganda played with out Sumaya Komuntale in defense owing to a red card she attained from their game against Morocco on Monday.
Ruth Aturo Uganda’s first goalie and Captain too was a no show in the game under unrevealed circumstances but Daisy Nakaziro was available to sit in for the custodian while Fauzia Najjemba captained the team.
Burkina Faso played one-man down from the 17th minute but for a moment, one would stop and think it’s Uganda with a man-down given the pressure that was being mounted on them.
Both coaches George Lutalo and Pascal Sawadogo confined their substitutions to the midfield and offensive play.
Burkina Faso bringing on Charlotte Millogo for striker Juliette Nana and Midfielder Jacqueline Sedogo for Adele Kabre then Limata Nikiema for Mouniratou Campoare in the attacking.
Uganda brought on Lillian Mutuuzo for Margret Kuniihira, Ritticia Nabbosa of the Lady doves for Shamirah Nalugya and Tooro Queen’s forward Joanita Ainembabazi for Sandra Nabweteme.
A win from this match meant that one of the teams would qualify and play in the quarter finals along with group “A” mates Morocco and Senegal.
Now the opportunity is passed on to nations in Group B and C.
Uganda exit the tournament with seven goals conceded in three games and have scored three goals. One from Sumaya Komuntale (against Morocco), Margret Kuniihira and Sandra Nabweteme against Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso have conceded four and scored two goals.
Results Uganda Group stage
Senegal (2:0)
Morocco (3:1)
Burkina Faso (2:2)
Results Burkina Faso Group stage
Morocco (1:0)
Senegal (0:1)
Uganda (2:2)
