Debutants JKT Queens beat CBE FC to qualify for CAF Women’s Champions League

Tanzania’s JKT Queens FC have stopped Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (CBE FC) in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone which ended in Njeru, Uganda this evening.

After a goalless 90 minutes and further 30 minutes of extra time, it was the debutants JKT Queens who were sharp at penalty shootouts to win 5-4 to book a place to represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2023 slate to take place in Cote d’Ivoire later this year.

JKT Queens converted their penalties through Ester Mbanza Gindulya, Donisia Daniel Minja, Winifrida Gerald, Anastazia Antony Katunzi and Happyness Hezron Mwaipaja. CBE FC converted through Loza Abera, Emebet Asfaw, Arehasg Kalsa Tadesse, Tinbit Samuel Bassa, while Mesay Temesgen Bizuneh’s penalty was saved by the JKT Queens goalkeeper.

” I am very happy that we are champions and will play in the CAF Women’s Champions League. The players have worked hard because we won all our matches in the competition, ” said JKT Queens coach Esther Fredy Chaburuma.

The CBE FC coach Birhanu Gizaw Heye said although his player gave a good account, they wasted some good chances. ” We had some good chances but failed to score. We shall come back next time, ” added the CBE FC coach.

In the play-off Burundi’s Buja Queens FC beat 2021 winners Vihiga Queens FC 1-0 to settle for a bronze medal. Lydia Akoth netted the lone goal after 41 minutes.

JKT Queens Situmai Abdallah Athumani was voted Best Player, while Najit Abass Idrisa (JKT Queens) was Best Goalkeeper, and Kampala Queens FC’s Fazila Ikwaput took the golden boot after netting 8 goals. Uganda’s Kampala Queens also received the Fair Play Award.

The competition attracted nine teams from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti and South Sudan.