Uganda’s Queen Cranes were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Ghana in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, despite taking a first-half lead through Agnes Nabukenya.
Uganda started with discipline and purpose, and their approach paid off in the 32nd minute when Nabukenya struck to put the visitors ahead, briefly silencing the home crowd and giving the Queen Cranes control of the tie.
Ghana responded after the break with increased intensity. Substitute Priscilla Mensah restored parity in the 58th minute, rising to meet a cross with a firm header that shifted momentum in favour of the hosts.
The Queen Cranes came under sustained pressure but remained competitive, with their goalkeeper producing several key saves to keep Uganda level and in contention for a positive result away from home.
The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when Latifa Abesik finished off a well-worked move, converting from close range after a delivery from the flank to hand Ghana the advantage.
Mensah struck the woodwork twice in the closing stages as Ghana pushed for a wider margin, but Uganda held on to keep the deficit to a single goal.
The result leaves the Queen Cranes with work to do ahead of the return leg in Uganda, where they will look to overturn the narrow deficit and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
