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

Kenya Police Bullets WFC and Kawempe Muslim Ladies have recorded vital wins in the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers.

The Kenyan team that finished third in last year’s Edition defeated Simba Queens (Tanzania) 2-1 in a Group C match played on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

After winning the opening match 2-0 against Burundi’s Top Girls Academy, the Tanzanian side needed a win to quickly book a place in the semi-finals.

But  the determined Kenyan team came all out to score in each half. Faith Mboya gave Kenya Police Bullets the lead after 17 minutes, but substitute and Ethiopian International Senaf Wakuma leveled matters.

Eight minutes later Martha Emedot capitalized on a poor clearance error by Simba Queens goalkeeper Ruth Aturo, to loob the ball into the net.

Kenya Police Bullets coach David Bijego Rangon said it was good to start with a win. “We knew Simba Queens are not an easy team and we prepared well tactically. We continue to work hard ahead of our next match against Top Girls Academy,” added Rangon.

In the second match Kawempe Muslim Ladies from Uganda stopped Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) 1-0 in a tough contest that kept spectators on their toes.

Agnes Nabukenya converted a penalty after 11 minutes to give Kawempe Muslim Ladies the lead.

The 2024 champions CBE fought back strongly but had Mahelet Mitiku Bekele and Mihiret Ayele Abebe miss some goal scoring opportunities.

The Ugandan team also continued to push forward, but they will have to thank their goalkeeper Saidah Namwanje who came to the rescue on several occasions.

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Kawempe Muslim Ladies head coach praised the his players for the hard work and the win against a strong CBE team. “It was not an easy match, but we played well and made sure we picked the win,” added Kiyingi.

Action continues on Tuesday with Mafunzo Women SC (Zanzibar) facing Denden FC (Eritrea) and the FERWAFA ground, while Rayon Sports WFC (Rwanda) take on Group A table leaders Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan).

Group A

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

Yei Joint Stars  2    2    0    0    4     0     4     6

Rayon Women 2   1    1    0    3     0     3     4

Mafunzo           2    0    1     1    0    1    -1    1

Denden             2    0    0    2     0    6    -6    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

South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC have moved close to qualifying for the semi-final stage after recording their second straight win in the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

Yei Joint Stars scored through Mary Anger Bol after 69 minutes to secure a 1-0 win against Mafunzo Women SC in a Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday.

The Zanzibar team created some scoring opportunities through Stella Wilbert Kwiligwa and Jackline Kulusanga, but failed to take them.

Yei Joint Stars capitalized on a good attack after 69 minutes and Bol made no mistake beating Mafunzo goalkeeper Chelsea Ngole.

After winning their opening match 3-0 against Denden FC (Eritrea), the South Sudan team now top Group A with 6 points and could easily finish top of the group if they defeat Rayon Sports WFC in the last match, or finish as second best ranked team.

Sony Harriet, the Yei Joints Stars coach said she is happy with the way he team played and got the win,” added the coach.

In the second Group A match home side Rayon Sports WFC defeated Denden FC (Eritrea) 3-0. Regine Ihirwa and Jeannette Ukwinkunda gave Rayon Sports WFC a 2-0 lead. Mizero Ishimwe sealed it for the home team with a late goal to make it 3-0.

Simba Queens (Tanzania) return to action on Monday in a Group C match against Kenya Police Bullets. The secomd match will see Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda) take on table leaders Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in a Groupo B tie.

Group A

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

Yei Joint Stars  2    2    0    0    4     0     4     6

Rayon Women 2   1    1    0    3     0     3     4

Mafunzo           2    0    1     1    0    1    -1    1

Denden             2    0    0    2     0    3    -6    0

Group B

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

CBE                    1    1    0    0   11    0    11   3

Kawempe          0     0    0    0    0     0     0    0

FC Ujeco           1    0    0    1    0    11  -11   0

Group C

                           P   W   D   L    GF   GA GD  Pts

Simba Queens 1    1    0    0    2     0     2     3

Kenya Police    0    0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Top Girls           1    0    0    1    0     2    -2     0

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC (CBE) have kick started their CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers 2026 on a high note with an 11-0 win against FC Ujeco.

The 2024 champions gave the Djibouti side no chance from the word go dominating possession and attacking in numbers at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda.

Emush Daniel Dandamo netted two goals in the first half and added three more after recess.

Rediet Matias and Lidiya Eyasu Sorsa also scored a brace each for the Ethiopian giants.

The FC Ujeco side making their first appearance in the Zonal qualifiers tried to fight back, but created few scoring opportunities.

The rampant CBE side that has featured in all the six qualifiers since 2021 also had Etsegenet Girma Negash and Debiso Yukura get their names on the score sheet with a goal each.

Birhanu Gizaw Heye, the CBE head coach says he is excited that his team picked a big win in the opening Group B match.

“We are determined to try and win the title again like we did in 2024. We shall treat every match like a final,” added the coach.

The FC Ujeco coach Ilyas Said Waiss said his team is a young team that is also using the tournament to get experience. “We started poorly, but hope to improve in the next match,” added the coach.

In the second game of the day 2022 winners Simba Queens (Tanzania) defeated Top Girls Academy from Burundi 2-0 in a Group C encounter. Diafra Asha missed a penalty for for the Burundi team early in the second half, before Aisha Juma Mnunka and substitute Musakanda Kusamula scored for Simba Queens.

On Sunday two Group A matches will be played with table leaders Yei Joint Stars facing Mafunzo Women SC (Zanzibar), while Denden FC (Eritrea) battle Rayon Sports WFC.