The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ethiopia Tough Opponent to Face in FIFA U-17 Women World Cup Qualifiers – Kiyingi
The head coach of Uganda’s U-17 team, has said facing Ethiopia in the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup 2022 qualifiers will not be an easy task.
Uganda was drawn to face Ethiopia during the draw conducted today in Cairo, Egypt at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Ten teams were drawn in the first round, while 19 teams that are better ranked including Uganda will start the campaign in the second round for the tournament to take place in India next year.
Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the U-17 coach of Uganda’s team told Uganda Radio Network (URN) that the Ethiopian women’s team is one of the strongest teams in the region. “This is not an easy draw at all for us,” said Kiyingi.
He made it clear that some of the players he used in the last edition of the World Cup qualifier are now out of the age bracket and can only play in the U-20 bracket. he made it clear that he has to go back to tap new talent.
Uganda will start at round two and the winner on aggregate will face the winner between South Africa and the winner between Equatorial Guinea and Kenya.
It should however be remembered that the Uganda U-17 women team was a game away from qualifying for their first ever football World Cup last year before the COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges.
Other teams from the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda will start the campaign in the first round with matches to played in January 2022. A total of 29 teams were drawn to battle in the qualifiers.
*******
URN
