Nigeria were deserved victors - Queen Cranes’ Botes

The Queen Cranes celebrating a goal against Ethiopia | FUFA Image

Africa Games 2023 Nigeria were deserved victors - Queen Cranes’ Botes

Brian Aheebwa • 10:01 - 19.03.2024

Senegal will be Uganda’s opponent in the third-place playoff final as either side vies for a bronze medal on Thursday.

Africa Games defending champions in Women's football, Nigeria eliminated Uganda in the semifinals of the 2023 edition on Monday in Accra, Ghana.

The Falconets beat the Queen Cranes 2-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium thanks to second-half goals from Adaobi Okah and Chaimaka Okwechukwu in the 74th and 89th minutes, respectively.

In the aftermath of the game, Uganda’s head coach Sheryl Botes praised Nigeria for their performance noting that they were deserved winners on the day.

“Nigeria started the game with a great display, but we managed to contain them for the first half,” Botes said before adding.

“It was evident that they are the defending champions, and for us to hold them for almost three-quarters of the game was a character of togetherness from the girls.”

“As I said, playing against such teams with players of high quality is a great thing for us because we get to learn a lot.”

“We have been together for three weeks, and played four games, and lost only one. This shows how good this team is, and we shall bounce back stronger in the future,” she added.

En route to the semifinals, Uganda finished second in Group A with five points after defeating Ethiopia and drawing against neighbours Tanzania and hosts Ghana.

Senegal will be Uganda’s opponent in the third-place playoff final as either side vies for a bronze medal on Thursday.

On the other hand, it will be a battle of the Titans when rivals Nigeria and Ghana tussle it out in the final.

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