Ethiopians leave Kampala Queens’ chances hanging in the balance

Zainah Nandede collects the ball from the net after scoring for Kampala Queens against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia | FUFA

CAF WCL Ethiopians leave Kampala Queens’ chances hanging in the balance

Fred Mwambu • 16:40 - 18.08.2023

The draw leaves Kampala Queens second with four points from three games as the Ethiopians consolidate the top spot with seven.

Kampala Queens' chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League hang in the balance after forcing a 1-all draw against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia on Friday.

The FUFA Women Super League champions needed nothing short of a win against the Ethiopians but their sloppy start left them trailing inside the first 120 seconds.

The Ugandans set the ball rolling and were quick to attack the Ethiopians and won an early corner kick after Hassifa Nassuna put pressure on Berka Amare to head out for safety.

Elizabeth Nakigozi stood behind the kick but carelessly wasted away with a feeble delivery.

CBE goalkeeper, Tarikua Bargena Balcha, reacted quickly with her Amare, forwarded to Aregash Tadesse, who made a one-touch-pass to set up Senaf Demise.

The forward didn’t make any mistake laying a sumptuous defence-splitting pass to Abera, who was hanging in the waiting lounge, controlled with her first touch, rounded off Daisy Nakaziro in goal and buried it in for the opener.

From there onward, the Ethiopians managed to frustrate Kampala with numerous medical breaks that distorted the game's flow.

However, the hosts grabbed one late through second-half substitute Zainah Nandede.

The forward had come in after the break to replace Rwandan striker Nandede Zainah Florence Imanizabayo.

Nandede sneaked passed her markers to head in a beautiful cross from Sumaya Komuntale in the last minute of added time.

The result leaves Kampala Queens second with four points from three games as the Ethiopians consolidate the top spot with seven.

Burundi’s Buja Queens and Yei Joints Stars from South Sudan, who beat FAD 2-0 in the earlier game, follow closely on three points with a game at hand.

The Ugandans will close their group-stage matches on Monday against FAD Djibouti.

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