Uganda can achieve more in women's football - Khalifa

Oct 02, 2019

The Women’s national team beat South Africa 2-1 in the final of the COSAFA Women’s U-17 tournament played on Sunday at the St. Francois Xavier Stadium in Mauritius.

 
Uganda U-17 girls team coach Ayub Khalifa believes Ugandan girls can even surpass what they achieved in Mauritius in 2 to 3 years if the same team is kept together and groomed for future assignments.
 
Khalifa was speaking to the press at Entebbe after the team returned from the championship on Tuesday.
 
The Women's national team beat South Africa 2-1 in the final of the COSAFA Women's U-17 tournament played on Sunday at the St. Francois Xavier Stadium in Mauritius.
 
A sparkling run from the group stages saw Uganda beat hosts Mauritius 11-0, Comoros 20-0, Botswana 12-0 before edging South Africa 2-1 in the final. Uganda's dependable players Fauzia Najjemba and captain Juliet Nalukenge scored in the final with the latter's 18 goals winning her the top scorer's award.
 
Goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga was also voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament, having conceded only two goals.

 Uganda U-17 team on return at Entebbe Airport from the 2019 COSAFA Women's U17 Championship in Mauritius, October 1, 2019. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

 "We normally lose track and don't pay special attention to the 16-20-year-olds because of lack of competitions, but if we do, we can build something special," Khalifa noted.
 
"There is nothing special we did for our wins. We only put our faith in God. I only ensured they remain calm and they did just that and played their normal game; that's why we won.
 
"Although we drew with Zambia, the South African game was the most difficult because they matched us but we fought hard and beat them. The girls were determined and when we made the finals we only encouraged them to double their effort, so the fighting spirit was great," Khalifa stated.
 
Team Captain Juliet Nalukenge attributed her team's victory to teamwork and self-belief in each of the matches they played.
 
"We played as a team and listened to our coaches but most of all we were motivated, confident and focused," Nalukenge said.

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