Kenya’s Harambee Starlets and Uganda Crested Cranes were in high scoring mood on Match Day 2 of the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Kenyan team humbled Burundi 3-0 in the first match played at the Azam Complex, while Uganda walloped South Sudan 5-0.

In the first 5 minutes Kenya were 2 goals up scored through midfielder Martha Amunyolet. Kenya continued to press as Burundi defended in numbers.

After recess Burundi’s Gloris Gakiza had a good opportunity to pull a goal back, but her header hit the woodwork. Substitute Faith Mboya made it 3-0 for Kenya after one minute of added time.

“I am very happy to score two goals for my team and getting voted Woman of the match,” a happy Amunyolet told cecafaonline after the match.

In the second match 2022 champions Uganda Crested Cranes returned to winning ways after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Burundi last Friday.

Sylvia Kabene netted a first half hat-trick to help Uganda Crested Cranes register an emphatic victory. Shamirah Nalugya and skipper Zainah Namuleme were also on the score sheet with Uganda scoring all their goals in the first half.

Sheryl Ulanda Botes, the Uganda Crested Cranes coach said she was happy with the attitude of her team as they went all out and scored many goals. “It was a good response after losing the opening match. We need to keep working hard ahead of other matches,” added Botes.

Action will return on June 17^th with Tanzania facing Burundi, while Kenya take on Uganda in what promises to be a tough contest. The tournament which has attracted five teams and being played on a round robin basis will see the best team determined by the highest number of points.

Table standing

                      P    W     D      L     GF    GA   GD   Pts

Uganda         2      1      0      1      5       1      4      3

Tanzania       1      1      0      0      4       0      4      3

Kenya            1      1      0      0      3       0      3      3

Burundi          2      1     0       1     1       5      -5     3   

South Sudan  2     0      0      2      0       9     -9      0

Hosts Tanzania and Burundi have registered wins on Day 1 of the 2025 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.

Twiga Stars who are preparing for the TotalEnergies CAf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) saw off South Sudan 4-0, while Burundi shocked reigning champions Uganda 1-0.

Diana Lucas gave Twiga Stars the lead after 9 minutes at the Azam Complex. The South Sudan team tried to play a highly defensive approach, but failed to stop the fast attacking Tanzanians.

Opah Clement Tukumbuke netted a brace, while Saudi Arabia based forward Cara Luvanga also got her name on the score sheet.

Bakari Shime, the Tanzanian coach praised his team for the hard work which saw them register a big win in their opening match. “Yes we created many scoring opportunities, but we played with high intensity and we shall try to keep improving in every match,” he added.

In an earlier match Burundi scored a second half goal to shock the reigning champions Uganda.

After a goalless first half with Uganda Crested Cranes creating several scoring opportunities, Burundi’s Esperance Habonimana netted from a free kick after 75 minutes.

Uganda’s goalkeeper mistimed the long back which settled at the back of the net.

Tanzania now lead the log with 3 points and four goals scored, while Burundi are second.

Action returns on Sunday with Burundi facing Kenya, while South Sudan take on Uganda.

Table standing

                      P    W     D      L     GF    GA   GD   Pts

Tanzania       1      1      0      0      4       0     4       3

Burundi          1      1     0       0     1       0      1      3    

Kenya            0      0      0      0      0       0      0      0

Uganda          1      0      0     1      0       1     -1      0

South Sudan  1     0      0      1      0       4     -4      0

The CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2025 finally kicks off this afternoon with Burundi facing reigning champions Uganda Crested Cranes at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Olivier Alian Niyungeko, Burundi’s head coach told Cecafaonline that although they expect a very tough encounter against Uganda, his team is well prepared.

“This is a kind of tournament where every match is very important and we want to make a good start,” says Niyungeko who will miss the services of Rah Roy Nzoyikorera who has been battling a fever since the team arrived in Tanzania.

Sheryl Botes Ulanda, Uganda Crested Cranes head coach also made it clear that what is important will be to have a good start in the tournament. “We need to approach every match strongly and starting with a win will give us a good start,” added Ulanda.

In their last meeting at the 2022 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship Uganda defeated Burundi 4-1 in the group stage and 3-1 in the final played at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

The second match of the day will see South Sudan face a tough test against the Twiga Stars of Tanzania. Fresh from recording two wins against DR Congo international friendly matches, coach Bakari Shime will expect some of his key forwards like Opa Clement Tukumbuke and Clara Cleitus Luvanga to be at their best to find the goals.

“We shall not underrate any team in this tournament,” says Shime. South Sudan who will reply on majority of the Yei Joint Stars players will also be hoping to make a good start.

The regional competition which has attracted five teams will be played on a round robin basis with all the teams playing four matches.

“We have had to push the kick-off by a day as the South Sudan team because of some challenges can only arrive on Wednesday,” says Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Director of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA).

“The competition with help our representatives to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania prepare better and the other teams to get more exposure,” says the CECAFA Competitions Director Yussuf Mossi.

The CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2025 will now kick-off on June 13^th at the Azam Complex in Tanzania.

“We have had to push the kick-off by a day as the South Sudan team because of some challenges can only arrive on Wednesday,” says Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Director of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA).

He made it clear that the opening match between defending champions Uganda and Burundi, and Tanzania against South Sudan will now take place on Friday.

“The teams from Burundi and Uganda have already arrived in Dar es Salaam, while Kenya is expected on Wednesday night,” added Mossi.

“The competition with help our representatives to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania prepare better and the other teams to get more exposure,” says Mossi.

The Championship that will feature five teams playing on a round robin format will now have matches played from June 13-21^st. Uganda emerged champions when the Championship was last held in 2022.

After the Women’s Senior Championship, the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship will take place July 7-12th in Mombasa, Kenya.