Commercial Bank of Ethiopia win CECAFA Women’s Champions League 2024 title

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC are the champions of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifier 2024.

After losing at the final twice, coach Birhanu Gizaw Heye’s team this time made it count when they defeated Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in the final played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Thursday.

The tournament’s top scorer Senaf Wakuma Zenaf Demise netted the lone goal after 79 minutes after her team had dominated play from kick-off. The Kenyan side who were making their debut in the tournament resorted to a defensive approach as the CBE team piled more and more pressure.

The pressure paid off for the home side with several passes exchanged before Zenaf Demise placed the ball past Kenya Police Bullets goalkeeper Annedy Kundu Kwamasi.

It was all celebrations after the final whistle as the home fans celebrated CBE’s win. In 2021 CBE lost in the final to Vihiga Queens of Kenya, and last year suffered another defeat to Tanzania’s JKT Queens in the final played in Uganda.

“I am very happy that finally we have lifted this trophy in-front of our fans in Addis Ababa. I thank the players and the management of the team for the hard work,” said a happy coach Heye after the match.

The goal scorer Zenaf Demise who finished with six goals said she was very happy that she scored many goals that helped her team win the Cup. “We are very happy and we shall celebrate this trophy for a long time,” added the striker.

In the earlier play-off match to determine which team finishes third Kawempe Muslim Ladies defeated 2022 champions Simba Queens (Tanzania) 2-0. Sumayah Nabuto and Agnes Nabukenya netted the goals.

The final was graced by Souleiman Hassan Waberi, the third Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CAF Exco member and Ethiopia Football Federation President Isayas Jira, the CECAFA President and also President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Wallace Karia. The Burundi Football Federation president Alexandre Muyenge, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Moses Hassim Magogo, Football Kenya Federation Vice President and CECAFA Exco member Doris Petra, and CAF head of Women’s Football, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime was also in attendance.

The tournament attracted eight teams from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda.

Awards

Fair-Play trophy – Simba Queens (Tanzania)

Best Coach – Beldine Odembe (Kenya Police Bullets, Kenya)

Best Goalkeeper – Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets, Kenya)

Top scorer – Demise Zenaf Senaf Wakuma (CBE, Ethiopia)

Best Player – Mesay Temesgen Tanga (CBE, Ethiopia)