Uganda, Burkina Faso WAFCON journeys come to an end

• The two sides drew their last group match
• Uganda are making a WAFCON return for the first time in 22 years
• Burkina Faso were making their debut

Uganda and Burkina Faso have both been eliminated from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after they drew their final group stage match 2-2.

The two sides finished the group stage action with a point each, Burkina Faso finishing third due to goal difference. Any of the two sides would have given themselves a chance to progress had they won, but the result now leaves Morocco and Senegal as the automatic qualifiers.

Burkina Faso had to twice come from behind to force the draw, with all goals scored in the first half. The Burkinabe had to finish the match with 10 players after Madinatou Rouamba was sent off after just 17 minutes.

Margaret Kunihira and Sandra Nabwateme scored for the Crested Cranes while Burkina’s goals were scored by Adama Congo and Adele Kabre.

We showed some nice things

Uganda players celebrate. PHOTO/CAF

“My greatest satisfaction was the quality of this match, but today it was not to be. But we showed some very nice things. From now on, we will go home and work hard to get back into this competition,” said George Lutalo, the Crested Cranes head coach.

Kunihira broke the deadlock for the Cranes in the eighth minute with sublime left footed finish after picking up the ball on the left. The East Africans were handed a huge numerical advantage when Rouamba was sent off in the 17^th minute.

But, the 10-girls of Burkina Faso fought with Zeal and they drew level in the 35^th minute, Congo scoring after some good individual skill to dribble into the box and shoot low.

The Ugandans re-took the lead three minutes later, Nabweteme striking a low shot that beat the grasp of the keeper after some good link up play at the edge of the box.

But the joy lasted only three minutes as Kabre struck Burkina level after an error from keeper Ruth Aturo. The shot stopper had come diving out to pick a cross from the right, but it only ended up hitting the Burkina forward and bouncing into the net.

Both sides had good opportunities to extend the lead in the second half, but none could take the chances that came their way.

Hosts Morocco make it to last eight unbeaten

Morocco players celebrate their goal against Senegal. PHOTO/CAF

Meanwhile, Morocco finished top of the group with a 100pc record after edging out Senegal 1-0. The Atlas Lionesses finish the group stage with nine points, five goals scored and only one conceded.

Ghizlane Chebbak scored the solitary goal from the penalty spot in the second half.

The Moroccans dominated the game but weren’t very efficient in their conversion rate. However, they were handed an opportunity after a VAR review gave them a spot kick for a handball inside the box.

Skipper Chebbak stepped up and struck a superb penalty, one that would prove to be the important goal to send the hosts flying into the last eight.