Uganda U20 Women National Team First Round, First Leg match ended in an astonishing victory as they thrashed their Kenyan counterparts at Nyayo National Stadium to open their U20 Women’s World Cup Qualification campaign.

Playing behind closed doors in Kenya, Uganda put on a show to mark a perfect start to their dream destination.

The persuasive 7-2 display and win saw Juliet Nalukenge (2), Sumaya Komuntale (2), Marget Kunihira, Fausia Najjemba and Shamira Nalugya find the back of the net for Uganda.

It was a dominant performance by the Ugandan youngsters who easily took the bull by the horns from the first whistle in what felt like 90 minutes of attacking slaughter of the home side.

Uganda was tested twice on target but simply hard too much quality for the Kenyans.

All shining Forward Juliet Nalukenge inked her name first on the scorers’ sheet in the second minute finishing off a Fauzia Najjemba cross.

Head Coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s 4-3-3 formation featured a back of four of Bira Nadunga and Aisha Nantongo in Centre back; Samalie Nakacwa (R) and Sumaya Komuntale (L) while Daphine Nyayenga started in goal.

In the central of the park, Shakira Nyinagahirwa shielded the back four while  Shamira Nalugya and Hadijah Nandago played the offessive linking role with the top three of  Juliet Nalukenge as the target man supported by team Skipper  Fauzia Najjemba on the left and Margret Kunihira on the right.

The goal from Nalukenge was the spark of a firing Khalifa Kiyingi’s troops and the following goals later were just the real story of the performance that eventually delivered remarkable result.

Moments later, Margaret Kunihira doubled Uganda’s lead from a brilliant individual performance through the Kenyan defense.

After 21 minutes, team Skipper Najjemba made it 3-0 with a cool finish inside the area to send the team into run riot mode.

Five minutes later, Nalugya stepped up to score from the penalty spot after Nalukenge was fouled inside the goalkeeper’s area.

Nalukenge fired the team again to register her second goal and fifth for Uganda before Komuntale made it 6-0 from an incredible free kick before the teams were sent into the locker room.

After the break, Kenya shaped up and for the first time in the game, Uganda felt threatened offensively and eventually gave away two goals from Shaylene Opiso.

However, it was too late for the Kenyans to overcome a very elevated head of goals that the Ugandans had mounted in the first half.

With 2 minutes left on the referee’s watch, Komuntale nailed Uganda’s luminous performance on the after with the 7th team goal.

The heavy victory gave Uganda a gigantic lead going into the return leg that will be hosted in Kampala on 8th. October. 2021.

After the 8th, the winner on aggregate will take on either South Africa or Mozambique in the second round.

Uganda U20 Starting XI:

Daphine Nyayenga(GK), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komuntale, Bira Nadunga, Aisha Nantongo, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shamira Nalugya, Hadijah Nandago, Juliet Nalukenge, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira

Subs:

Joan Namusisi (GK), Grace Aluka, Harima Kanyago, Kevin Nakacwa, Eva Nagayi, Catherine Nagadya, Zaitun Namaganda, Zainah Nandede, Jowelia Nagadya,

PHOTO CREDIT: FUFA MEDIA.

By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.