Uganda’s U17 Women’s Team (The Teen Cranes) played out a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in the first leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The match was Sheryl Botes’ first in charge of the U17 team since her appointment. Botes embarked on a new era and formulated a team banking on the already experienced legs of Agnes Nabukenya, Faridah Namirimu and the captain Desire Katisi Natooro.
UK based defender Bethany Louise Kaluya who plays for the Brighton & Hove Albion was handed a debut and started in central defense alongside Katisi Natooro.
Following a nervy and end to end opening 30 minutes of the game, Agnes Nabukenya scored from close range to give Uganda the lead.
Nabukenya slotted the ball from close range following a brilliant interplay between her Kawempe Muslim teammates Shadia Nabirye and Esther Nangendo.
Nangendo fed Nabirye on the left flank and the latter brilliantly beat off her marker to set up Nabukenya who finished off with the move perfectly.
The second half of the game was more physical as both sides strived to earn a desired result.
Ernestine Heutchou equalized for Cameroon with a ferocious shot from outside the box in the 50th minute.
In the 66th minute, Uganda had a glorious chance to take the lead once again but Nabirye failed to tap in a well laid cross from Sylvia Kabene with a keeper already beaten.
The two sides will meet again in the second leg in Yaounde on Friday 9th February.
The aggregate winner of the tie with face either Zambia or Tanzania in the penultimate round of these qualifiers.
Uganda XI; Lillian Nakilya (GK), Promise Kwagalakwe, Faridah Namirimu, Bethany Kaluya, Desire Natooro (C), Esther Nangendo, Agnes Nabukenya, Bushira Nalunkuuma, Shafiga Tamisi, Shadia Nabirye, Slyvia Kabene
