Crested Cranes hold Morocco to a 1-1 draw in International Friendly

International Friendly
Friday, December 1, 2023
Morocco 1:1 Uganda

In a riveting showdown at Pere Sego stadium in Casablanca, The Uganda women’s football team, affectionately known as “The Crested Crane,” held African giants Morocco to a 1-1 draw in the first of the two friendly matches for the Ugandan outfit.

The game played on Friday, December 1, saw intense moments, with Sheryl Botes’s team taking the lead in the 24th minute through a precise penalty kick by Fauzia Najjemba.

The scoreboard reflected 0-1 in favour of Uganda, and the stakes heightened when, just six minutes later, Morocco was awarded a penalty. However, goalkeeper Daisy Nakaziro showcased her prowess with a crucial save, maintaining Uganda’s lead.

The second half witnessed a turnaround as Morocco levelled the score in the 64th minute through Nakkach Elodie, resulting in a 1-1 draw at full time.

This outcome marked a significant improvement for Uganda compared to their previous encounter in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Morocco emerged victorious with a 3-1 win during the group stages.

The Crested Crane remains in Morocco, gearing up for their second friendly against Morocco on the 5th Tuesday.

The upcoming clash will unfold at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and anticipation is high for another thrilling face-off between these two competitive teams.

Newly appointed Ugandan coach Sheryl Botes exudes confidence in her squad, expressing optimism about securing victory in the upcoming match.

Tuesday’s game will be Coach Botes’s second in charge of The Crested Crane.

The team’s lineup boasts international players Najjemba Fauzia, Phionah Nabbumba, Joan Nabirye, and Viola Nambi, complemented by the talent from the Fufa Super League.

As fans eagerly await the next chapter in this football saga, the resilient performance of The Crested Crane signals a promising future for Ugandan women’s football on the international stage.