2024 WAFCON QUALIFIERS: Algeria Eliminates Resilient Uganda

Uganda’s road to 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations came to an end after a one-all draw with Algeria on Tuesday night in a game played at Stade Olympic D’Oran.

A team that wanted to go back to WAFCON for the second time in a row, things worsened when Naima Bouhani scored the opener in just three minutes to put Algeria in the lead.

Naima Bouhani , who was well positioned, headed home from a well long range delivered cross that left goalkeeper Vanessa Karungi was no chance.

Algeria continued to posses the game as the first half ended 1-0 in their favor, leaving a long mountain to climb for Uganda.

Into the second half, Crested Cranes coach Ayub Khalifah introduced Fazila Ikwaput, Catherine Nagadya and Margret Kunihira replacing Hasifah Nassuna, Joanita Ainembabazi and Sandra Nabweteme respectively, to hunt for goals.

Fauzia Najjemba netted the equalizer in 66th minutes from the spot. A goal that gave Uganda hopes of trying to overturn the results. Najjemba made an electrifying run to and was fouled inside the box, awarded a penalty and she brilliantly took it to the top right corner.

Uganda tried to look for the the second goal to force the extra-time but Algeria was equal to the task and defended well till to the final whistle to progress to the next round.

Uganda had lost 1-2 to Algeria at home before drawing 1-1 in the return leg which helped Algeria to eject Uganda and advance to the next round on 3-2 aggregate.

Algeria will face Burundi in the qualifying stage, Burundi ejected Ethiopia 5-3 on penalties after 1-1 aggregate.

Uganda will now shift the focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualifiers game against Cameroon that will be played on 30th October.