By: Kayiira Jackson
On fire Jovia Nakagolo and brilliant Agnes Nabukenya inspired Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC to her maiden FUFA Women’s Cup final following a 3-1 aggregate victory against stubborn St. Noa Girls FC.
Kawempe Muslim managed to come from a goal down to beat St. Noa Girls FC 2-1 in the second leg epic encounter honoured at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium in Wakiso District on Sunday afternoon.
Jovia Nakagolo and Agnes Nabukenya cancelled Sylvia Kabene early strike.
Kawempe Muslim came with a 1-0 first leg advantage courtesy of Jovia Nakagolo but in only eight minutes, the pacey forward, Kabene leveled that score after an error committed by Kawempe Muslim defender, Ritah Musiimire.
Jimmy Kintu girls had the advantage to seal the match in the following ten minutes of the game since Kawempe’s defence was still too shaky but their great two efforts of Sylvia Kabene and Patricia Nayiga went over the bar.
In the 26th minute, Kawempe made a tactical substitution, removing Ritah Musiimire off the pitch, introduced Krusoom Namutebi to stabilise the midfield and sent Hadijah Babirye back in the defence. This change gained the visitors momentum and in the climaxing minutes of the first stanza showed Dorcus Kisakye forcing Lillian Nakirya into a classic save. St Noa won the first stanza, 1-0.
With 75 minutes on the clock, on fire Nakagolo leveled the matters with a goal poacher’s strike, thanks to Dorcus Kisakye’s well calculated through ball that cracked St Noa’s defense and left the goalkeeper very vulnerable for Nakagolo to score her fourth goal for the tournament.
Four minutes later, Agnes Nabukenya with a third eye peeped Nakirya when off the goal line and launched a long strike few meets from the centre line and hit the ball at the back of the net and handed Kawempe a 2-1 lead.
Arguably, her strike became the best so far in the tournament.
Kawempe Muslim won the tie 3-1 on aggregate to set a final showdown against Amus College School who eliminated Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga WFC 4-2 on aggregate.
It is not yet confirmed when and where the final will be played since Kawempe has three players on Crested Cranes that is featuring in CECAFA Women Senior Championship slated between 12th and 21st June 2025 in Tanzania.
