The Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team, the Queen Cranes, secured a valuable away goal despite a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in the first leg of the final round of the African Qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026. The match was played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, with the hosts taking a slender advantage into the return leg.
Agnes Nabukenya gave Uganda the lead with a composed finish in the 32nd minute, but Ghana responded through Priscilla Mensah before Latifa Abesik struck late in the 86th minute to seal victory for the hosts.
Uganda started the game with discipline and organisation, showing composure in the early exchanges. Goalkeeper Lilian Nakirya was alert in the 3rd minute, rising well to punch away a dangerous corner and maintain stability under early pressure.
The Queen Cranes settled into the match with confidence, maintaining their shape and matching Ghana across the opening stages with resilience and tactical discipline.
As the first half progressed, Uganda grew into the contest and carried a clear attacking threat. Their efforts were rewarded in the 32nd minute when Nabukenya finished calmly to give Uganda a deserved lead following a well-structured move.
Uganda maintained organisation and composure for the remainder of the first half, managing key moments effectively to take their advantage into the break.
After the restart, Ghana increased their intensity and pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Uganda remained compact and resilient, but the hosts found a breakthrough in the 56th minute through Mensah to level the score.
The match stayed evenly balanced in the closing stages, with Uganda continuing to show discipline and structure under pressure. However, Ghana found the decisive goal in the 86th minute when Abesik completed the comeback.
The Queen Cranes will now shift focus to the return leg scheduled for Saturday 9th May at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, with kick-off set for 4pm.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Poland. The tie will be decided on aggregate score, with the away goals rule applied if necessary and a penalty shoot-out to follow should the teams remain level.
