International Friendly: Fauzia Najjemba a True Definition of Foreign Based Player, Exceptional in Crested Cranes Win over TZ
Uganda National Women’s Football team, Crested Cranes came from a goal down to beat Twiga Stars of Tanzania 3-1 at Lugogo on Friday in an international friendly match.
Arguably the Uganda’s best female footballer export, Fauzia Najjemba, Margret Kunihira and Catherine Nagadya appear on the score sheet on the day to cancel Oppa Clement early goal and handed Uganda a positive result ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier game against Rwanda next week.
Twiga stars drew the first blood as early as two minutes from Oppa Clement thanks to Enekia well laid cross into the box for Oppa to tap in Tanzania’s lead.
Uganda started to grow in the game the following minutes through build up plays from the back and ZFK Dynamo Moscow speed Marchant, Fauzia Najjemba left wing was the busiest and a minute past half an hour, Najjemba laid a timely deadly mini cross that found Catherine Nagadya on the run to tap in Uganda’s equalizer.
Fauzia drove the ball almost from the center ark, put off two Triga Stars defenders before the ball laid to Nagadya to add confidence to heavy crowd that attended the match at Lugogo.
Najjemba had another opportunity to send Uganda in the lead before half time break but her effort was blocked by workaholic Fatuma Issa and the first 45 minute ended in a square.
In the second half ,the visitors came determined, focused and ready to regain their lead but only impressed in the first ten minutes before Uganda gained the control of the game again.
Before registering her name on the score sheet, Najjemba had to first force Twiga Stars custodian Husna into classic save but later, Samalie Nakacwa from the right flank laid a bouncing ball, Husna failed to clearly handle the ball , granting Najjemba a rebound and handed Uganda the first Lead five minutes to full-time.
Apart from assisting and scoring on the day, Fauzia Najjemba was the most entertaining player on the pitch who won the hearts of the fans and many named her Uganda’s Mpappe.
Super sub, Margret Kunihira with her trademark strike sealed the win in the 87th minute.
Crested Cranes will host Rwanda in Kigali before visiting the same team in the same capital.
Team Lineups
Uganda
Ruth Aturo Gk, Sumaya Komuntale, Aisha Nantongo, Catherine Nagadya, Sandra Nabweteme, Hasifah Nasuna, Fauzia Najjemba, Shadia Nankya, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Samalie Nakacwa
