Uganda girls take on Tanzania in World Cup qualifier

WOMEN FOOTBALL    WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

FIFA U20 Women World Cup Qualifier

Preliminary round

First leg

Sunday, 4 pm

Tanzania v Uganda

Return leg

February, 1

Coach Oliver Mbekeka is in bullish mood as her side prepares to take on neighbors Tanzania on Sunday away in Dar-es-Salaam in the 2020 FIFA U20 Women World Cup Qualifiers.

Mbekeka's confidence comes from the impressive response the players have shown during the training sessions.

"The girls are in good shape and ready for their opponents. The response has been good in each and every training session we have had with the players which gives me confidence that they will bring down Tanzania," Mbekeka said.

"We want to get a decent result so that we kill off the game in the return leg at home,"

Most of the girls on Mbekeka's side were part of the senior team that lost to Tanzania during the semifinals of the CECAFA Women Championship last year.

But skipper Shadia Nankya believes if they follow instructions to the latter they will be good to go.

"It won't be an easy game, but our coach has drilled us well. We look forward to putting into action her instructions," noted Nankya.

Pacey winger Lillian Mutuuzo and midfielder Shakira Mutiibwa are some of the players Mbekeka will rely on to get a decent result.

The triumphant side over the two legs will face either Sierra Leone or Senegal in the first round.

This is the second time Uganda is taking part in the FIFA U20 Women World Cup qualifiers. The first appearance in the qualifiers was in 2013 where they recorded a historical 22-0 aggregate win over South Sudan.

Costa Rica and Panama will host the 2020 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in August later this year.

The biennial international women's youth football championship will be contested for by 16 teams from six confederations. Japan beat Spain 3-1 in the final to win the last edition (2018) that was hosted in France.