Kawempe Muslim Ladies have defeated Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 3-0 to advance to the final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers.

Jovia Nakagolo capilatized on a defensive lapse by the Ethiopian side to give Kawempe Muslim Girls the lead after 18 minutes at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The 2024 champions CBE had tried to dominate play, but the Ugandan side proved more more intentional in the final third.

Etsegenet Girma Negash later had her well taken shot saved by the Kawempe Muslim Ladies goalkeeper Saidah Namwanje after 20 minutes.

After recess the CBE team returned with lots of determination as they attacked in numbers, but Kawempe Muslim Ladies also defended well.

But another defensive blunder cost CBE again as Tigist Adane Belhu diverted to score an own goal after. The defender diverted a Nakagolo shot into the net beating goalkeeper Tarikua Bargena Balcha.

The CBE team tried to settle down and attack to find goals, but the Kawempe Muslim Ladies defenders stood firm.

Agnes Nabukenya increased Kawempe Muslim Ladies lead after 70 minutes when she lobbed the ball past the CBE goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

It was all celebrations for the Ugandan side after the final whistle after they qualified for the first time on their second attempt in the Zonal qualifiers.

The second semi final match will see 2024 runners-up Kenya Police Bullets FC face surprise package Yei Joint Stars from South Sudan.

The champion to be decided on August 31^st will represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals to be played later this year. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to announce the hosts for the final tournament.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies results in the tournament

Kawempe Muslim Ladies 1 CBE 0

FC Ujeco 0 Kawempe Muslim Ladies 8

Kawempe Muslim Ladies 3 CBE 0 (Semi final)

All roads will lead to the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday  afternoon to witness two semi-final matches in the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers.

Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies will take to the field first against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), while Kenya Police Bullets will also take on surprise package Yei Joint Stars WFC from South Sudan.

But after stopping the same side 1-0 in the group stage, Kawempe Mulsim Ladies’ coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi says it will be a very tricky encounter.

“It is not always easy playing the same team in the tournament because they will be all out to try and get a revenge. But we have prepared well and are more than determined to win and get to the final,” says Kiyingi.

The trio of Agnes Nabukenya, Jovia Nakago and Latifah Nakasi who have each netted two goals a piece will be hungry to find more goals for the Ugandan Women League champions.

Heye Gizaw Birhanu, the CBE head coach also stressed that facing a team twice in the same tournament will be tricky. “We know them well and they know us. But we have planned a god strategy that will help us beat them and progress to the final,” added coach Birhanu.

Emush Daniel Dandamo who netted five goals for CBE in their huge 11-0 win against FC Ujeco in the group stages will be the player to watch.

The second semi final hurdle also promises to be a tight contest. After five earlier attempts Yei Joint Stars WFC make their first appearance at the semi-final stage, while Kenya Police Bullets have been here before having finished runners-up in 2024, and third last year.

David Bujego Rangon, the Kenya Police Bullets coach has made it clear that this is their year to win the trophy. “Although facing Yei Joints Stars will not be easy, we are determined to go out and win,” added the coach.

The Kenya Police Bullets led by skipper Elizabeth Ochaka will however miss the services of Lydia Akoth who accumulated two yellow cards in the group stage.

Sony Harriet, the Yei Joints Stars coach says being at this level is a good thing. “We must be at our best tactically because we are going to face a good team,” added the coach.

The play-off for third place and the final will be played on August st at the same Kigali Pele Stadium.

The 2024 runners-up Kenya Police Bullets have defeated FC Ujeco 3-1 to book a place in the semi-final at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

Going into the match the Kenyan champions who had defeated Simba Queens (Tanzania) 2-1 in their opening Group B match needed to win to advance to the knock out stage.

Martha Amunyoletelo netted a brace, while Eglay Mukhwana also got her name on the score sheet for Kenya Police Bullets in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium. Irene Tuyishemeze pulled a goal back for the Burundi side.

The win sent Kenya Police Bullets to the semi-final where they will now face surprise package Yei Joint Stars WFC from South Sudan.

David Bujego Rangon, the Kenya Police Bullets head coach has made it clear that this is their year to win the trophy and qualify to represent the Zone.

“We have tried and failed to win the trophy before, but this time we are determined and prepared to go all the way and win the title,” he added.

In the earlier match Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies humbled FC Ujeco (Djibouti) 8-0 to advance to the knock out stage.

Latifah Nakasi and Jovia Nakago each netted a brace, while Samalie Nakacwa, Agnes Nabukenya and Cecelia Apiding also got their names on the score sheet. FC Ujeco defender Hana Yimer scored an own goal to put the Ugandan side ahead.

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Kawempe Muslim Ladies coach said he was happy his team has won all two matches scoring nine goal and conceding none. “We go back to the drawing board to prepare for the semi final stage because we are determined to perform better than our third place finish in 2024,” added the coach.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the 2024 winners also advanced as the second best placed team among all the three groups. They defeated FC Ujeco (Djibouti) 11-0, but lost to Kawempe Muslim Ladies in their second match.

They advanced as the second best placed team from all the groups with 3 points and a better goal difference than Simba Queens.

Action continues on Saturday with Kawempe Muslim Ladies facing Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the first semi final match, while Yei Joint Stars WFC take on Kenya Police Bullets in the second match. The play-off for third place and the final will be played on August 31st.

Yei Joint Stars WFC have become the first team to qualify for the semi-final stage at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

The South Sudan giants battled from a goal down to hold home side Rayon Sports WFC 1-1 in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Tuesday.

Going into the match Rayon Sport needed to win the match inorder to top the group, but the draw meant that Yei Joint Stars WFC wrote their own history making it to the knock out stage for the first time in six attempts.

After a goalless first half with several missed scoring chances  Jeanette Ukwinkunda put the home side Rayon Sporst WFC ahead after 57 minutes with a composed finish.

But substitute Moureen Nankinga leveled matter for Yei Joint Stars WFC after 79 minutes. The home side continued to attack in numbers, but the Yei Joint Stars WFC defended well to earn the vital draw.

Sony Harriet, the Yei Joint Stars WFC coach was all smiles after the final whistle. “I am very happy because we have made history and qualified for the semi finals for the first time,” said the happy coach after the match.

In the second Group A match played at the FERWAFA Technical Center ground Mafunzo Women SC humbled Eritrea’s Denden FC 9-0 in the second biggest score registered in the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers.

Jackline Kulusanga netted four goals, while Cynthia Shilwatso picked a brace. Leunina Ngonapipi, Judicael Ouoaba and Mounifatou Helbi also got their names on the score sheet

The group stage matches will climax on Wednesday with FC Ujeco (Djibouti) facing Kawempe Muslim Ladies in a Group B in the first match, while Burundi’s Top Girls Academy take on Kenya Police Bullets in a Group C match.

Group A

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

Yei Joint Stars  3    2    1    0    5     1     4     7

Rayon Women 3   1    2    0    4     1     3     5

Mafunzo           3    1    1    1    9    1    -8     4

Denden             3    0    0    3    0   15  -15    0

Group B

                           P   W   D    L   GF   GA GD  Pts

CBE                    2    1    0    1   11    1    10   3

Kawempe         1    1    0    0    1     0    1     3

FC Ujeco           1    0    0    1    0    11  -11   0

Group C

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

Simba Queens 2    1    0    1    3     2     1     3

Kenya Police    1    1    0    0    2     1     1     3

Top Girls           1    0    0   1    0     2    -2     0