Uganda made light work of Namibia on Friday, beating the side 3-0 in the first leg encounter of their tie in the qualifiers for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The result gives Uganda a significant advantage heading into Monday’s decisive return leg at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Despite dominating much of the first half, Uganda found Namibia difficult to break down. Chances fell to Agnes Nabukenya, Patricia Nayiga, Sumaya Nalumu, and Sylvia Kabene, but the visitors held firm to go into the break with the game goalless.
Head coach Sheryl Botes made a key tactical adjustment at halftime, bringing on Peace Muduwa for Doreen Aujat.
The switch paid off almost immediately, as Kabene opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a strike that slipped through the Namibian goalkeeper’s hands.
Uganda’s pressure continued, and in the 82nd minute, Nalumu’s brilliant run down the flank set up Barbra Anomo, who headed home to double the advantage.
Substitute Mary Kantono then capped the night in style, finishing clinically in the final minutes to seal a 3-0 win.
With a healthy cushion from the first leg, the Queen Cranes are now in a strong position to progress to the next round of the qualifiers.
