Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Yei Joint Stars pick vital wins

Striker Medina Busser netted a hat-trick to help Commercial Bank of Ethiopia overcome Vihiga Queens (Kenya) 4-2 in a Group B match at the on-going TotallEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, CECAFA zonal  qualifier.

Busser who was making her first appearance for the team scored after 9 minutes with an easy finish at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

The home side fought back strongly as Maurine Achieng leveled matters with a well taken shot past goalkeeper Tarikua Bargena Balcha. But Busser showed her good dribbling skills again as she left one defender and the Vihiga Queens goalkeeper to finish in an empty net.

Achieng made sure her team went into the break 2-2 when she shot back into goal after the Central Bank of Ethiopia goalkeeper Balcha had punched back the ball into play.

The second half was a different affair as the Ethiopian side dominated play with Busser adding her third before skipper Geinore Loza got her name in the score sheet.

Busser said she was happy to score three goals in such a big tournament. Heye Birhanu Gizaw, the Central Bank of Ethiopia coach said he was pleased with winning their opening match in the tournament.

In an earlier match South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars defeated New Generations (Zanzibar) 2-1. Maureen Makunga and Luka Deborah Alworonga gave the South Sudan side a 2-0 half time lead. But Hawa Juma pulled one back for the zanzibari side early in the second half.

New Generations FC tried to fight back and score more goals, but were not sharp at goal.

“This is a good win for us and we must concentrate on every match,” said Yei Joint Stars coach Abdairahaman Chol Lual Yel after the match. Ali Abdulmutik Haji, the New Generations coach said despite the defeat, he is confident his team will play better in the next matches.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia now lead Group B, while Yei Joint Stars are in second position. Action will return on Tuesday with two Group A matches to be played at the Kasarani Stadium.

Group B

                                  P     W     D      L     GF   GA  GD   Pts  

CB of Ethiopia    1       1      0       0       4       2      2     3

Yei Joint Stars   1       1       0      0       2      1       1       3

N. Generations  1      0       0       1       1      2      -1      0

Vihiga Queens   1      0       0       1       2      4     -2      0