U-20 Women's WCQ: Khalifah rues missed chances in defeat against Ghana

The Uganda U-20 Women’s national team head coach Ayub Khalifah has rued wasted chances in Uganda’s defeat against Ghana.

Uganda suffered a 2-1 defeat at home in the first leg of the fourth round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday.

Abdulai Salamatu and Grace Animah scored a goal in either half for Ghana while a lone strike for Uganda came from Captain Fauzia Najjemba who converted from the spot.

“It was very unfortunate that we lost at home. We didn’t expect this as a team. The goals we conceded were out of funny mistakes which I think we can put right,” Khalifah said.

“We had opportunities but we failed to use our chances. If we had got those goals, we will have been the better side,” he added.

Ghana took the lead in the 24th minute through Salamatu who lobed the ball past goalkeeper Daphine Nyagenga who had moved off her line.

Two minutes into the second half, Animah doubled Ghana’s advantage off a well taken free kick.

Nalugya won the penalty in the 84th minute and Najjemba was able to score from the spot to give Uganda hope ahead of the return leg that will come two weeks from now.

Despite a first leg defeat, Uganda will seek to keep alive their maiden World Cup qualification dream when they visit Cape Coast for the second leg of the fourth round in a fortnight.

The winner on aggregate will face either Ethiopia or Tanzania.