Vihiga Queens have an opportunity to avenge a 4-2 defeat suffered in the hands of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the CAF Women’s Champions League, CECAFA qualifiers group stage match when the two teams play in the final on Thursday. CBE broke sweat to edge Lady Doves of Uganda 5-4 on post match penalties after playing to a one all draw in regular time. Loza Geinore, Kalsa Tadese, Adisu Asfar, Senayat Bogale and Tarikwa Yakurwa all successfully converted for CBE. Alupo Norah, Jowela Nagadya and Fazila Ikwaput scored for Lady Doves but Nakuya Sarah skied her kick. Doves goalkeeper Nakaziro Daisy was forced into action barely seconds into the game, coming off her line to collect a lobbied effort by Medina Busser after she was put through by Loza Geinore.Geinore who was lively in the opening minutes would give her side the lead in the eighth minute, pulling the trigger metres off the box to beat the hapless Nakaziro who could have done little to keep the volleyed effort out.Prior to the match Nakaziro had not collected the ball from her net in the previous group stage matches. Doves recovered from the nervous start and neutralized the threat from CBE who entertained the players from the previous matches spread on the stands with their skill in passing the ball. The Ugandan side tested CBE’s goalkeeper for the first time in the match in the 21st minute through Elizabeth Nakigozi from long range but Tarikua Balcha was equal to the task palming the ball for a unsuccessful corner kick.CBE took control of the match, making super build ups for the goal but the Doves defence stood tall, thwarting all attempts to break their wall.Doves on the other hand had themselves to blame for resorting to long balls which hardly went past the human shield mounted by the CBE’s defence.The Ethiopian side picked from where they left in the second half, making inroads in the Doves defence but couldn’t sneak the ball past the goalkeeper.The first change in the game came in the 52nd minute where the centre referee Carolyne Wanjala who appeared uncomfortable was replaced by the fourth official Josephine Wanjiku.Doves would make theirs three minutes later bringing in Norah Alupo for Lydia Nyadera a change aimed at poking holes in the brick solid CBE rear.Doves finally got the equalizer in the 63rd minute through Faliza Ikwaput who struck a beauty of a freekick few inches from the box after Nagadya Jowelia was brought down.The goal and the fresh legs injected vigour into the Doves side who sliced down CBE’s dominance and turned the rhythm into their favour but couldn’t find their second goal.The two teams rattled each other for the second goal but the defences on either side stood tall until the final whistle forcing the match into extra time.
