Ayub Khalifa credits composure for Crested Cranes Olympic qualifier win over Rwanda

Ayub Khalifa during a training session. (FUFA Media).

FOOTBALL Ayub Khalifa credits composure for Crested Cranes Olympic qualifier win over Rwanda

Peter Tabu • 13:55 - 17.07.2023

Uganda was sloppy in the first leg but still played in Rwanda as they gave away the lead twice as Rwanda forced a three-all draw.

Crested Cranes assistant coach Ayub Khalifa has credited their ability of his to stay composed for 120 minutes as they defeated Rwanda on Sunday in Kigali to advance to the next stage of the 2024 Women’s Olympic football tournament qualifiers.

Uganda was sloppy in the first leg but still played in Rwanda as they gave away the lead twice as Rwanda forced a three-all draw.

They needed a 100th-minute goal from Fazila Ikwaput to win the match 1-0 and advance 4-3 on aggregate.

“We got a lot of chances but failed to convert them; Rwanda has improved a lot; they are a different side from three years ago, which explains our pressure,” Khalifa told the media in the post-match press conference.

“I, however, told the girls to calm down, be more composed to match Rwanda’s aggressiveness, we also added a bit of skill as we passed the ball, and they delivered.”

The Crested Cranes will play Cameroon in the next round as they hope to become the first Ugandan national football (men and women) team to qualify for the Olympics football tournament.

Crested Cranes players celebrate Fazila's winner in Kigali. (FUFA Media).

Prime Minister Robbina Nabbanja extended her appreciation for the team’s performance by rewarding the team with Ugx 16M, shared amongst the players after the game.

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