Uganda U17 girls’ national team emerged winners of the inaugural COSAFA U17 Girls’ championship after overcoming South Africa in the final played on Sunday at St. Francois Xavier Stadium in Mauritius.
A spirited performance guided Uganda to a 2-1 victory to encrypt their name in the history books as the first winners of the tournament.
Fauzia Najjemba and captain Juliet Nalukenge scored a goal each while South Africa got theirs’ from Tiffany Kortjie.
Coach Ayub Khalifa made only one change in the starting team bringing back Samalie Nakachwa for Catherine Nagaddya.
Najjemba opened the scores in the 57th minute thanks to a fine pass from Nalukenge that released her before she slotted home.
However, South Africa drew the game level in the 76th minute through Tiffany Kortjie but Uganda remained determined and kept surging forward.
With three minutes on the clock, Nalukenge fired home the winner off Najjemba’s cross from the right.
The captain ended the tournament as the top scorer with 18 goals in five games. She was also named the player of the match for the final.
Goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga was also named the best shot-stopper at the tournament conceding just two goals.
In total, Uganda played five games, winning four, drawing once and scoring 46 goals.
Uganda 1-1 Zambia, Uganda 11-0 Mauritius, Comoros 0-20 Uganda, Uganda 12-0 Botswana and Uganda 2-1 South Africa
