The Eritrean team kick started the CECAFA Women’s U-20 Championship losing 1-0 to Tanzania in the opening match played on Saturday at the FUFA technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda.

Delina Sahle Tekie and Hermiela Tedros Tsegay came close to scoring for Eritrea, but missed the target by inches on the two attempts.

The Tanzania team that also eliminated Eritrea in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers this month dominated play for longer spells.

Eritrea’s goalkeeper Rim Gazae Yemane made several brilliant saves, but failed to time well in added time to give room for Clara Cleitus Luvanga to head in for Tanzania.

“It is very disappointing to concede a late goal like this because of a mistake by our goalkeeper. We shall go back to the drawing board and try to improve in the other matches,” said Eritrea’s assistant coach Demssie Tekeste Habtemichael.

In the second game Ethiopia showed a lot of dominance when they humbled a 10-man Djibouti 7-0.

Rider Assrasanang netted a hat-trick, Turist Lema scored two goals, while Betlehem Bekele and Meadin Sehilu also got their names on the score sheet for Ethiopia. The Djibouti team tried to fight back, but found it difficult playing with a player-less after Marwa Baher Moussa had been sent off after 36 minutes.

Hosts Uganda also collected a 5-1 win against Burundi In the last game played on Day 1. Skipper Fauzia Najjemba netted a brace, while Hadijah Nandago, Margaret Kunihira and Shamirah Nalugya also scored for Uganda. Burundi’s lone goal was netted by Pascasie Butoyi.

Ethiopia now tops the table in the tournament being played on a round robin basis. Action resumes on Monday with Uganda facing Djibouti in the first match before Ethiopia take on Eritrea, and Burundi face Tanzania.

Table standing

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Ethiopia 1 1 0 0 7 0 7 3

Uganda 1 1 0 0 5 1 4 3

Tanzania 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3

Eritrea 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0

Burundi 1 0 0 1 1 5 -4 0

Djibouti 1 0 0 1 0 7 -7 0