Latifah Nakasi’s lone goal was enough to secure Kawempe Muslim a 1-0 win and eliminate her former employers Uganda Martyrs High School (UMHS) Lubaga from the Fufa Women Cup at the Round of 16 stage last Saturday.
The match was played in front of sizeable crowd that braved the hot afternoon weather. But despite being one between two eternal rivals and one of only two Women Cup matches on the day, the present eyeballs did not make a viable case for those advocating for women’s games in the league to be moved back to the afternoon.
Morning matches are a clear distraction to the growth of women’s football but the afternoon is also packed with competitive options that even women’s football fans won’t overlook. That Saturday had the men’s Uganda Cup final lined up at the same time at Fufa Technical Centre, Njeru.
The U-17 women’s national team Teen Cranes was also battling Kenya away in Nairobi for a place in the World Cup while some could have been readying themselves to watch the Uefa Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG.
However, crowds are the least of Kawempe’s worries now. They just want to win their first ever Fufa Women Cup and are thankful to have competitive games that will usher them into preparations for the Caf Women’s Champions League later in the year.
“We want to win the trophy but we are not telling the girls that it is a do or die affair,” coach Ayub Khalifah, who led Kawempe to a sixth Finance Trust Bank Fufa Women Super League (FTBFWSL) title early last month, said.
“It was pleasing to see how they managed the game because we want them to remain competitive as we put plans together to prepare for the Champions League.”
For UMHS coach Edward Ssozi, an early end to a season of inconsistencies gives them “time to reflect and prepare better for next season.”
Kawempe, UMHS, and six others were just joining the Cup competition after earning a bye in the Round of 32.
Amus defence
Kawempe set up a quarterfinal clash, expected to be played this weekend, with second tier (FWEL) side Wakiso Hill who made home advantage at Maya Ground in Wakiso count as they beat FWSL runners up She Corporate 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time on Sunday.
Still within Kawempe on Sunday, Cup holders Amus College came twice from behind to draw 2-2 with home and FWEL side URA before eliminating them 4-1 on penalties.
Amus will still return to Kampala to play She Maroons in the quarters at Luzira Prisons. Maroons beat 2019 Cup winners Makerere University 2-1 with first half goals from Kauthara Naluyima and Lillian Mutuuzo.
Meanwhile, Kampala Queens (KQ) also beat FWEL (Elite) side She Kasese 4-1 at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Sunday.
Shamusa Najjuma bagged a brace while Joanita Ainembabazi and Zaitun Namaganda scored one apiece. Nahiya Kizza scored for the visitors.
KQ will now face St. Noa Girls in a repeat of one of last year’s quarter finals. St. Noa beat Kawempe-based Kampala Regional League side Dream Girls 4-0 with a brace from Patricia Nayiga and goals from Mary Ayugi and Lillian Nabukeera.
After beating Western Regional League side Sheema Girls 3-1 away from home, Lady Doves will host 2018 Cup winners Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals in the quarters. UCU also beat fellow second tier side Bul 3-1.
Unlike in the previous rounds where matches went directly to shootouts after teams were tied in regulation time, the quarterfinals will still be one-legged affairs but will have extra time before penalties in case of ties.