Asha Rashid nets hat-trick to guide Simba Queens to 5-0 win against FAD

Super substitute Asha Rashid came off the bench in the second half to score a hat-trick and help Simba Queens humble FAD Djibouti 5-0 in a Group B match at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifier 2024.

The FAD team led by skipper Yousra Mohamed Awad and Ilham Djama Douhour defended well in the early 20 minutes, but Jentrix Shankangwa Milimu made not mistake giving the Tanzanian side the lead after 24 minutes at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

After 29 minutes another Kenyan International Elizabeth Mutukiza Wambui made it 2-0 with well taken shot that FAD’s goalkeeper Soubane Ahmed Omar failed to stop.

The FAD team continued to defend in numbers before the first half ended 2-0.

After the interval the Simba Queens coach Juma Mgunda made some changes to add more attacking power to the team.

Substitute Asha Rashid made it 3-0 after 76 minutes, and added another four minutes later. Simba Queens, the 2022 Zonal champions continued to dominate play before Rashid register her hat-trick with a third goal with two minutes to full time.

“I am happy that we started with a big win. But we respect all the teams in the tournament because they are champions in their respective countries,” said the Simba Queens’ coach after the match.

Mohamed Abdourahman Mahamoud, the FAD coach said they didnot play against Simba Queens. “But we shall continue to fight because we now need to improve in our next match,” added the coach

In an earlier Group B match, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies stopped PVP Buyenzi (Djibouti) 2-0. Agnes Nabukenya scored in each half to ensure the Ugandan side kick started their campaign on a winning note.

Nabukenya said that although she was not at her best because of the wet conditions, she was happy to score twice in the opening match. “I am happy that I have scored two goals in our opening match. We shall continue to work hard because there are more matches to be played,” added Nabukenya.

On Tuesday Commercial Bank of Ethiopia will return to action as they battle Yei Joint Stars WFC (South Sudan) in a Group A match, while Kenya Police Bullets WFC take on Rayon Sports WFC. Victory for the Ethiopian side will see them qualify for the semi-final since they beat Rayon Sports WFC 3-2 in the opening match.