Zonal Qualifiers: End of the Road for Lady Doves

Semi Finals Results
Simba Queens 1-2 Vihiga Queens
CBE 1-1 Lady Doves Pens (5-3)
Nyayo National Stadium
Monday, Sept 6th

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC has eliminated Uganda’s representatives at the CECAFA Women Zonal Qualifiers, Lady Doves 5-3 on spotkicks to storm into the maiden tournament finals.

The two sides met at the semi-final stage following successful campaigns in their respective groups with the Doves having more pressure and a wait of expectations on their shoulders. Making the final would have been massive.

There was nothing to separate the two sides at full-time following a 1-1 stalemate. Loza Abela scored for CBE at halftime before Fazila Ikwaput levelled matters for Lady Doves in the second half.

Along this journey, CBE has been an impressive side and were destined to show their class against Ugandan opposition who approached the game with a more pragmatic step up.

The Ethiopians maintained their persistence in attacks thus forcing the Doves’ defense to crumble, only to break the deadlock through Loza Abela with eight minutes on the clock.

At this juncture, it was clear that the Ugandan side were struggling to compose themselves in the game as seen from the rampant loss of possession and general disorganization. They needed the half-time break.

The break came indeed and their approach for the second stanza of the game seemed more assertive. So much so that forward Norah Alupo’s introduction in the 55th minute provided the big moment for them in terms of penetration into the opposition penalty area.

They needed only two minutes past the hour mark to strike through sharpshooter Ikwaput whose spectacular freekick helped level matters and bring her side back in the game.

The aftermath of the goals saw the Believers clinging onto the draw so as to push the game further into extra-time. Their hopes were clearly in making the game longer for their opponents who seemed fresher and more industrious.

The extra-time taught us nothing new despite the endless attacks from CBE. With nothing to separate both sides, spotkicks seemed imminent and was the case.

CBE players converted all five of their spotkicks to win 5-3. Loza Geinoire, Aregase Tadase, Wale, Adisu Asimawa and Legase all made their stopkicks while Sarah Nakuya fluffed her penalty over the crossbar to condemn the Masindi side to an agonizing eviction.

In the finals slated to take place on Thursday 9th September at Nyayo National Stadium, CBE will tussle it out with Kenyan representatives Vihiga Queens who edged Simba Queens by 2-1 on Monday.

The eventual champions of this tournament will earn the chance to represent the CECAFA region in the inaugural CAF Women Champions League to be held in Cairo Egypt.


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