FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Ethiopia Force Uganda to a 2-2 Draw

Ethiopia U-17 women’s national team Friday came from two goals down to force Uganda to a two-all draw in the first-leg of of the first round of the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Uganda.

The comeback spirit from the Ethiopian U-20 women’s national team continued to the U-17 level.

After a goalless first half, Uganda broke the deadlock in the 66th minute through Hadijah Nandago, who completed her brace  six minutes later when she capitalized on a defense lapse, firing home her second goal of the day from outside the box.

At this point, it was “job done” for the Ugandans, but all was not lost for the Ethiopians.

The Ethiopians perseverance started to pay off in the 79th minute when Emush Dandamo got a consolation before teammate Semira Kedir Ahmed found space in the box to slot home the equalizer deep into stoppage time.

Ethiopia had gone into Friday’s game with the mindset of winning mentality installed in the players instead of “worrying about the strength of the opponent teams,” coach Endalkachew Chaka said before the team’s departure to Uganda.

Both Ethiopia and Uganda will face off in return-leg two weeks from now with the aggregate winners taking on South Africa in the next round.