Uganda, May 4 -- Coach Sheryl Botes said she had a plan to stop Ghana from getting to an eighth straight Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup and there were moments when Uganda's Queen Cranes made it look like it could work.

Uganda eventually lost the first leg of Africa's final qualification round 2-1 to Ghana in Accra on Sunday but the Queen Cranes had matched the Black Princesses for 85 minutes.

Botes made some big calls with Mary Katono's physicality and hold-up play preferred ahead of Sylvia Kabene's speed upfront while defensive midfielder Krusum Namutebi did not make the matchday squad.

For long periods, Botes' side pressed Ghana all over the pitch and gave them no chance to build connections. But even when Ghana escaped through on two o...