WOMEN
GRAND FINALE: CBE WFC set to face tricky Kenya Police Bullets
The CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal qualifiers come to a climax on Thursday afternoon with the final pitting Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC against new comers Kenya Police Bullets FC.
But first will be the playoff match between Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda) and Simba Queens from Tanzania at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Interestingly all the four teams in action on the final Day faced-off in the group stages with CBE stopping Kenya Police Bullets 2-1, while Simba Queens also edged Kawempe Muslim Ladies 3-0.
Coach Birhanu Gizaw Heye’s team walk into the pitch more than hungry not to suffer defeat in their third final, while Beldine Odemba will be hungry to see her youthful side re-write history of winning the title on their first attempt and becoming a second Kenya side to bag it.
“This is a very important final for us because we are playing at home. We need to be very organized and make sure we take our chances,” says the CBE coach.
But Odemba maintains that although her team struggled a bit in the group stage, they have now settled after players’ mentality was handled. “We are ready for the final,” she added.
The home side will look to their leading scorer with five goals Sinaf Wakuma Zenaf Demise and Aregesh Kalsa Tadesse to lead the attack, while the Kenyan side will hope that Rebecca Akinyi Okwaro with two goals in the tournament so far and Purity Alukwe Anyetu also find their touch infront of goal.
To reach the final Kenya Police Bullets silenced the 2022 champions Simba Queens 3-2, while CBE defeated Kawempe Moslem Ladies 2-1.
The regional qualifier which kicked off on August 17th attracted eight teams; CBE WFC (Ethiopia), Kenya Police Bullets (Kenya), Yei Joint Stars WFC (South Sudan), Rayon Sports Women FC (Rwanda), Simba Queens SC (Tanzania), Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda), PVP Buyenzi (Burundi) and FAD FC (Djibouti).
Tanzania’s women’s team suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played last evening in Rabat, Morocco.
The two teams use the match as part of their preparations for ahead of the upcoming 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Atlas Lionesses started scored early after 4 minutes through Sanaa Mssoudy. The forward later doubled her tally in the 76th minute.
Tanzania’s team handled by Bakari Shime tried to make some changes, but failed to find the goals against the hosts. After 80 minutes Yasmin Lamrabet added another for the hosts to make it 3-0.
For the WAFCON 2026 Tanzania are placed in Group B alongside South Africa, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Kenya are the second team that qualified from the CECAFA Zone to play at the WAFCON 2026.
Five teams from the CECAFA Zone have kick started their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier campaigns with away wins.
Tanzania started by recording a 3-2 win against Botswana in a first round match played at the Obed Itani Chikume Stadium.
Fatuma Hassan, Steven Bahati and an own goal by Zuhura Mlekwa ensured Tanzania collected a vital away win. Bridget Setuke and Hope Lesotlo scored for the hosts.
On Saturday Burundi also collected a 2-1 victory against hosts Malawi. Eneles Fabiano gave Malawi the lead, but Belyse Niyonkwizera and Irene Tuyishemeze replied for the Burundi team.
Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya joined the party on Sunday by recording away wins. Betelhem Giachew and Mihret Ayele scored as Ethiopia defeated South Sudan 2-0 in a match played at the Juba National Stadium.
In Harare, Uganda scored through Immaculate Acen and Lydia Nameseruka to stop hosts Zimbabwe 2-0, while Kenya also picked a 2-1 win away to Namibia.
Lindey Weey and Faith Boke scored for Kenya, while Teyanna Awases pulled one back for the hosts.
Rwanda will also be in action on April 17th in the first leg against Zambia, while DR Congo has already picked a walkover Djibouti.
After the first round two more rounds will be played to determine which four teams qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Morocco will host the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Kenya Women’s National Team Harambee Starlets produced a dominant display to beat India 2-0 in the FIFA Women’s Series 2026 fixture in Nairobi on April 11, 2026.
Martha Amunyolet and Terry Engesha netted the goals to guide Kenya to victory in a match played at the Nyayo Stadium.
The encounter marked the first-ever meeting between the two nations and saw Kenyan side start on the front foot, pressing high and dictating the tempo from the first whistle.
Kenya drew first blood in the second minute as Fasila Adhiambo whipped in a cross from the left that was parried by India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda. The ball fell squarely on Amunyolete path who made no mistake but fire past the keeper and hand the Starlets an early goal.
Kenya were the better side creating a number of opportunities and were solid at the back, thwarting India attacks to maintain their lead.
After the break Kenya came back with renewed energy, introducing fresh legs in Madina and Nekesa, while India brought on Priyadharshini Selladurai.
Kenya’s persistence in attack would pay off in the 57th minute when a perfectly weighted through ball split the Indian defense and in position Terry Engesha raced forward squaring it into the bottom corner to double Kenya’s lead.
India did make a number of changes in search of reply but Kenya was firmly on driving seat and maintained composure to seal of an important win.
All eyes now shift on the Wednesday finals where Kenya tussles with Australia who thrashed Malawi 5-0 in the other semifinal while India face Malawi in the third-place playoff on Wednesday.
The FIFA Women’s Series are official, competitive international friendly tournaments designed to provide women’s national teams with opportunities to play against opponents from different confederations, fostering global football development. The inaugural women’s edition in 2026 features tournaments in Kenya, Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Thailand, focusing on increased competitive experience.
All the three foreign teams India, Australia and Malawi have jetted in Nairobi ahead of the FIFA Women’s Series 2026.
Kenya will host one of the groups of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series from April 11-15th at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The Indian team arrived first on Monday, while Australia and Malawi arrived next ahead of the International friendly matches organized under the FIFA Series.
“Finally welcome to Kenya Team Malawi. Football truly unites the world, and we are honored to host you for the 2026 FIFA Series Women. We look forward to an exciting and competitive tournament, and we hope you enjoy your stay in Kenya,” said Hussein Mohammed, President of Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will face India in one of the matches on April 11th, the same day highly ranked Australia take on Malawi. The winners will face off in the final, while the losers also battle in a play-off all on April 15th.
Last month Rwanda successfully hosted two groups of the FIFA men’s Series. The International friendly matches also featured teams from the CECAFA Zone; Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
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