Uganda U17 Women’s National Team advanced to the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers with remarkable ease, securing a comprehensive double over Namibia.
The Teen Cranes dominated their opponents in the second leg on Sunday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, clinching an emphatic 8-1 victory.
Notably, Uganda had already set the tone with a commanding 10-0 triumph in the first leg on Thursday.
For Sunday’s match, coach Sheryl Botes introduced five changes to the starting lineup from the previous encounter.
Captain Agnes Nabukenya, Shadia Nabirye, Hope Nabawanuka, Patience Asanyo, and Doreen Aujat were rested, with Irene Kabarokole, Isabella Blick, Joan Kizza Namulindwa, Loyce Komugisha, and Mariam Namataka taking their places.
Uganda broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Renalda Angel Tamara inadvertently scored an own goal. Namulindwa doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, followed by a close-range finish from Blick a minute later.
At the start of the second half, coach Botes made tactical substitutions, introducing goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa, Nabirye, and Shalom Nambuya to replace Dorcus Namboozo, Cynthia Kirenga, and Kabarokole, respectively.
Namulindwa added her second goal of the match just a minute after the restart and secured her hat-trick in the 50th minute.
Rinah Ariho extended the lead to six in the 53rd minute, with substitutes Nabirye and Nakalema also finding the back of the net.
Namibia managed a consolation goal in the 68th minute through Shiwovanhu Haukongo.
The comprehensive victory means Uganda progresses to the second round with an 18-1 aggregate score and will face Kenya in March this year.
