Uganda’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup ended in heartbreak after a 1-1 draw with Ghana in the decisive second leg at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
The Queen Cranes were eliminated 3-2 on aggregate, having lost 2-1 in the first leg in Accra.
Uganda needed at least a 1-0 victory to secure a historic maiden appearance at the World Cup, and they looked on course after Sylvia Kabene gave them the lead.
The forward made a brilliant run down the left flank before squeezing the ball home from a tight angle.
The Queen Cranes’ task appeared to get easier when Ghana’s Margaret Agyapomaa was sent off with 20 minutes remaining after stamping on Kabene while the Ugandan forward was already on the ground.
However, a costly mistake with about 10 minutes to play turned the game around. Goalkeeper Lilian Nakirya rushed out to clear the ball but miscued her effort, leading to a foul by a Queen Cranes defender on a Ghanaian attacker on the far right side of the box.
Linda Owusu Ansah stepped up and curled the resulting free-kick into the back of the net, beyond Nakirya’s reach, to silence the expectant home crowd.
Sherly Botes’ side pushed hard for a winner, with captain Agnes Nabukenya coming closest through a free-kick that drifted narrowly wide.
Nakirya later redeemed herself with a fine save to deny Sarah Nyarko from long range, but damage had already been done.
Although Ghana were second best for much of the contest, they delivered when it mattered most, capitalising on their opportunity to secure qualification.
At the final whistle, the visitors celebrated wildly after sealing their eighth qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Poland later this year in September.
For Uganda, whose campaign was also ended by Ghana last year, the wait for a first-ever World Cup appearance continues.
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