Ethiopia’s Lucy beat hosts Uganda’s Crested Cranes 4-1 to finish third in the 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship in Jinja, Uganda on Tuesday 20.

The victory was a sweet atonement for the horn of Africa queens who exited the main cup narrowly, going down 3-2 to Kenya’s Harambee Starlets in the semifinals on Sunday 18.

Hasifa Nassuna took her goals’ tally to six with the opener for Crested Cranes five into the encounter as all looked bright for a bronze medal, but it wasn’t to be as the Erhima Zeregaw restored parity eleven minutes later.

Zeregaw who was on a blistering form should have hit a double in the 18th minute but her venomous shot hit the post; she was again denied by keeper Fatuma Matovu six minutes to the half hour mark.

Looking overwhelmed, the hosts pulled out Tracy Akiror for Shakira Nalwooga in the 20th minute.

Relentless Zeregaw hit again at the stroke of the first half and she was not going to be denied this time round, grabbing a brace and putting Lucy in front for the first time in the 44th minute.

The Coach Meseret Manne’s charges never slowed down in the second stanza with Zeregaw putting the game beyond the hosts in the 71st minute with a hat-trick.

Prolific striker Losa Abera came knocking in the 80th minute to stretch the lead even further with the fourth and her fifth of the tournament to seal the emphatic victory 4-1.

@bonfaceosano