The CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers kicked off on Friday with two Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC brushed a side Denden FC from Eritrea in the opening mat, while Zanzibar’s Mafunzo Women FC held Rayon Sports WFC (Rwanda) goalless.

In the opening match Denden FC making a second appearance in the Zonal qualifiers created several scoring opportunities, but the Yei Joint Stars goalkeeper Nawal Isaac Henry Major was up to the task.

Poni Esther Wani gave the South Sudan champions the lead after only four minutes, but the Eritrean side settled in well and fought back strongly. Denden’s Hermiela Tsegay had her penalty kick stopped in the first half.

After recess Grace Aluka netted a brace to ensure the Yei Joint Stars collected maximum points.

Mary Anger Bol, the yei Joint Stars captain says it was good to start the tournament with a win. “This win gives us good momentum ahead of the other two group matches,” added the captain.

The second match saw the two teams create many scoring opportunities, but failed to take them. Mafunzo Women FC skipper Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu came close to finding the net when her shot hit the post after 81 minutes. Substitute Josiane Uwihirwe also hit the post for Rayon Women FC with four minutes added.

Action continues on Saturday with 2024 champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia taking on FC Ujeco (Djibouti) in a Group B match, while Simba Queens from Tanzania face Top Girls Academy (Burundi) in a Group C match at the same Kigali Pele Stadium

Group A

                                  P   W   D    L    GF  GA  GD  Pts

Yei Joints Stars       1    1    0    0     3     0      3     3

Mafunzo Women  1    0     1    0     0     0     0     1

Rayon Sports WFC 1    0     1    0    0     0     0     1

Denden FC               1    0     0    1    0     3    -3     0

The wait is finally over as the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers will kick-off on Friday at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.

South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC who will be making their sixth appearance in the competition will open the campaign in the first Group A match against Denden FC from Eritrea.

Sony Harriet, the Yei Joint Stars FC coach said they are not here just to participate, but to compete.

“We have gained a lot of experience after playing in the last five editions and this time we want to make it out of the group,” added the coach during a press conference held at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Thursday.

She made it clear that they will not underrate any opponent at the tournament. Team captain Mary Anger said the players are all excited to be back in the competition and determined to perform better.

Rezene Gebregiogis, the Denden FC coach also made it clear that after losing all their matches in their first appearance last year, they are determined to perform better this year. “We got the exposure last year, and we are now well prepared and know what to expect,” added Gebregiogis.

The second Group A match will see last year’s runners-up Rayon Sports WFC (Rwanda) take on Mafunzo WFC from Zanzibar.

Claude Rwaka, the Rayon Sports WFC head coach says they are very happy to be playing at home in-front of their fans. “We have prepared well and the team is ready to compete well,” added Rwaka.

Rayon Sports WFC captain Andersen Uwase also called upon their fans to come and motivate them as they try to win the Zonal qualifiers.

The Mafunzo WFC captain Cynthia Shilwatso made it clear that although they respect their opponents, they have prepared well and are ready for the tournament. “We have prepared well and are determined to get till the later stage of the tournament,” added the captain.

Action will shift to Group B on Saturday as 2024 champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia take on FC Ujeco (Djibouti), while Simba Queens (Tanzania) who lifted the trophy in 2022 take on Top Girls Academy from Burundi.

The champion will represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026.

Group A: Rayon Sport WFC, Yei Joint Star FC, Mafunzo SC, Denden FC

Group B: CBE FC, Kawempe Muslim Ladies, FC Ujeco

Group C: Simba Queens, Kenya Police Bullets FC, Top Girls Academy FC

Football loving fans in Rwanda have been invited to come in large numbers to support the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers prepared to host

Rwanda will hosts the Zonal qualifier bringing together 10 teams from August 21-31^st in the capital Kigali.

Speaking during the official press conference held at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) headquarters on Wednesday, Nikita Gicanda, the Commissioner in-charge of Women Football in the Federation Executive Committee called on all Rwandans to come and support the Women.

“Please come in big numbers to support the best teams in the region as they play in the Zonal qualifier. It is important as Rwanda that we host such International tournaments so that people feel and see the action and appreciate it,” added Gicanda.

The FERWAFA General Secretary, Bonnie Mugabe said Rwanda was happy to host yet another International tournament after successfully hosting the CECAFA Kagame Cup few days ago. “As Rwanda we are happy to host another tournament in the Zone, and we call upon the fans to come and support,” added Mugabe.

Andrew Jackson Oryada, the CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communications also thanked Rwanda for hosting a successful CECAFA Kagame Cup few days ago.

“On behalf of the CECAFA President Paulos Andermariam, we thank the Rwanda government and FERWAFA for hosting an excellent CECAFA Kagame Cup. We hope that many Rwandan fans will again come forward to support the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers,” added Oryada.

The Zonal champion will represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC, the 2024 champions, FC Ujeco (Djibouti), Rayon Sport WFC (Rwanda), Yei Joints Stars FC (South Sudan), Mafunzo SC (Zanzibar), Denden FC (Eritrea), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya), Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda) and Top Girls Academy FC (Burundi) are the teams that will tussle it out in the qualifiers.

Seventeen referees and assistant referees are undergoing preparations ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers 2026.

Rwanda will host the tournament from August 21-31^st in the capital Kigali with 10 teams taking part.

Head of refereeing for the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Ali Ahmed told Cecafaonline.com that all the 16 female referees are responding well to the preparations that are in class and also physical.

“We are excited about the level of fitness among most of the referees and assistants invited and we are confident they will be at their best while handling the matches,” added Ahmed.

Fresh from officiating at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, two referees Aline Umutoni (Rwanda) and Kenya’s Josephine Wanjiku will join the other 14 referees to handle the Zonal qualifier. The tournament will have eight referees and nine assistant referees.

The referees and assistant referees underwent a workshop at the Gorillas Golf Hotel, and also had a physical exercise at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) ground on Wednesday.

Hone team Rayon Sport WFC, Yei Joint Star FC (South Sudan), Mafunzo SC (Zanzibar), Denden FC (Eritrea), CBE FC (Ethiopia), Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda), FC Ujeco (Djibouti), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya), and Top Girls Academy FC from Burundi are the ten teams taking part in the Zonal qualifiers.

The champion will represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026.

Referees

Henriette Buyukenya, Aline Umutoni, Regine Mukayoranga (Rwanda), Diana Murungi, Immaculate Ongiera (Uganda), Joseyline Nsabimana, Anitha Niyokindi (Burundi), Josephine Wanjiku, Virgina Wangui (Kenya), Deka Muse (Djibouti), Mary Sulaimani, Zawadi Yusuf (Tanzania), Yordanos Mulgeta, Woinshet Abera (Ethiopia), Arsema Haile (Eritrea), Emmanuella Ako, Stella Sebit (South Sudan)