Burundi made a strong start to their 2025 CECAFA Senior Women's Championship campaign with a 1-0 win over Uganda in the tournament opener at the Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.
Despite Uganda dominating large parts of the match and creating numerous chances, it was Burundi who capitalised on one of their few opportunities.
Esperance Habonimana scored the only goal of the game in the 75th minute, calmly finishing after a defensive lapse by the Ugandan backline.
Uganda began the match on the front foot, showing intent and pressing high. They created several promising chances but were repeatedly denied by poor finishing and solid defending from Burundi. The first half ended goalless, with Uganda clearly frustrated not to have taken the lead.
Burundi looked more composed after the break and gradually grew into the game. Their resilience was rewarded when Habonimana broke the deadlock, handing them a valuable lead that they managed to defend until the final whistle.
Burundi head coach Alain Olivier Niyungeko praised his team’s second-half performance and mental strength. “We were nervous in the first half, but at half-time I encouraged the players to believe in themselves. They came back stronger and more focused,” he said. “Uganda have beaten us many times before, so this result is very important for our confidence.”
However, Niyungeko also admitted there’s room for improvement, particularly in attack. “We need to create more chances. If Uganda had taken theirs, it could have been a different outcome.”
Uganda head coach Sheryl Botes expressed pride in her team’s effort but acknowledged their missed opportunities.
“We played well and dominated for long periods, but we didn’t take our chances. That cost us the game,” she said. “There’s still time to recover, and we’ll work hard to improve before the next match.”
Burundi’s victory puts them top of their group early on, while Uganda will need to bounce back quickly to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Later today, hosts Tanzania face South Sudan in the second match of the day.