By Victor Turinawe.
UCU Lady Cardinals were held to a 1-1 draw by league debutants Dream Girls FC in their opening match of the 2026/27 Finance Trust Bank Women Elite League (FTBWEL) season.
The Central Conference encounter, one of the fixtures in the opening week of the newly branded league format, was played at the UCU Main Football Pitch on Sunday evening, October 18, 2026, with both sides settling for a point.
Dream Girls FC took the lead through Zuena Nandego before UCU Lady Cardinals restored parity through Moreen Kitimbo towards the end of the first half.
Both teams created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them, with each side registering five chances in open play that went unutilised before the final whistle.
Despite avoiding defeat in their season opener, UCU Lady Cardinals showed signs of sluggishness, struggling to establish rhythm in their passing and ball control against an organised Dream Girls FC side.
The hosts appeared disjointed at times, with their attempts to build attacks often disrupted by the visitors, who demonstrated greater composure on the ball and accuracy in their passing.
Dream Girls FC dominated much of the possession and dictated significant periods of play, putting the hosts under pressure as they sought to find a winning goal.
Dream Girls captain Edith Nakisekka was particularly impressive in defence, displaying versatility and composure at the back. She made two important clearances and won a one-on-one challenge against UCU Lady Cardinals’ Cathy Nassimbwa to deny the hosts a scoring opportunity.
Nandego also proved a constant threat on the wing, using her pace, skill and tactical awareness to trouble UCU’s defensive line. Phiona Matama struggled to contain the winger, whose attacking runs created problems for the hosts throughout the encounter.
