BUIKWE, Uganda, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Algeria national women's football team on Wednesday defeated host Uganda Crested Cranes 2-1 in the first leg of the first round of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Although the home side looked comfortable from the start of the match played in the central Ugandan district of Buikwe, it was the Algerian team that made it count by scoring two second half goals.
After a goalless first half, the Algerian team returned hungry and scored in the 47th minute through Imane Chabel who nodded in from a well taken corner kick. The Uganda team tried to fight back, but failed to break through the Algerian defending line.
The visitors made it 2-0 after 52 minutes when Habiba Karchouni placed the ball past Uganda's goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi.
With the clock ticking away, Uganda was awarded a penalty after Amina Nababi had been fouled in the box. Russian based professional Fuazia Najjemba stepped up and converted it.
Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Uganda's head coach, said they had made some mistakes that cost the team. "We still have to continue working hard ahead of the return leg next week in Algeria," added the coach.
The winner on aggregate will face either Burundi or Ethiopia in the second round, which is the final qualification round.
Apart from host Morocco, 11 more teams will have to go through the qualification rounds. ■
