Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies have defeated AS FAR Rabat in their opening Group B match of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Fatima Tagnaout gave the reigning champions the lead after only six minutes at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismaila on Monday afternoon.

She made mistake finishing after Kawempe Muslim Ladies failed to defend well. The two sides continued to attack and create scoring opportunities, but failed to convert.

After recess, the CECAFA Zone champions got of the blocks more determined to find goals and scored after 53 minutes through Agnes Nabukenya, Five minutes later Shakirah Nyingahirwa netted the second goal for Kawempe Muslim Ladies.

But the Moroccan side did not give up and leveled matters through Doha El Madani. Kawempe Muslim Ladies showed late moments is sport with a third goal in the fourth minute of added time through Nabukenya again.

It was all celebration after the final whistle as the Ugandan side celebrated their win on their debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

“We are very happy with this win because it gives us good momentum in the tournament,” said Kawempe Muslim Ladies coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi.

The second group B match saw USFAS Bamako suffered a huge 5-1 defeat to Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies will return to action against Ampen Darkoa Ladies and a win for them will see them book a place in the semi final stage.

The sixth edition of the annual African premier women’s club tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) kicked off on Sunday and ends on November 15^th.

Group B standing

                                   P    W    D    L    GF  GA  GD  Pts

Ampem Darkoa       1     1     0    0    5     1     4     3

Kawempe Muslim   1     1     0    0    3     2     1    3

AS FAR                      1     0     0     1    2     3    -1    0

USFAS Bamako         1     0     0     1    1    5    -4     0

Ugandan giants Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC have vowed to prove a point when they feature in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The sixth edition of the annual African premier women’s club tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will take place November 1-15th in the Egyptian cities of Cairo and Ismailia.

After winning the Zonal qualifiers in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) in Rwanda last month, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC will be making their debut in the eight team tournament.

The Ugandan giants are placed in Group B alongside the reigning  champions AS FAR Rabat (Morocco), USFAS Bamako (Mali) and the eventual WAFU B representatives Ampem Darkoa (Ghana).

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC coach has made it clear that they are well prepared for the tournament.

“After winning the Zonal title we embarked on serious training and the players have been responding well. We know it will be a tough task in the tournament, but we believe we have what it takes to perform well and challenge for the title,” added coach Khalifa.

The coach made it clear that although they are going to this tournament for the first time, they are very prepared. “No Ugandan team has been there or played there before. But I have told the players it is not the first time we are going to play Football,” explained the coach.

He said the experience and exposure they got playing teams from other countries in the Zonal qualifiers has also prepared them well enough on what to expect.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies earned their place at the continental showpiece by winning the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, beating Kenya Police Bullets 1-0.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies will open their campaign against reigning champions AS FAR Rabat on November 2.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Juliet Adeke,  Josephine Nambuya

Defenders: Sharifah Nakimera, Ahsia, Claire Kebirungi, Ritah Mushimire, Aminah Nakato, Samalie Nakacwa

Midfielders: Krusum Namutebi, Zainah Nambozo, Hadijah Babirye, Agnes Nabukenya, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa

Forwards: Jovia Nakagolo, Anita Namata, Shadia Nabirye, Latifah Nakasi, Belinda Hope Nabawanuka, Cecelia Apiding

The official draw for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers will take place on July 30^th at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football (CECAFA) disclosed that the draw will take place at 10.30am (Rwanda time).

Ten teams will take part in the qualifiers which will run August 21-31^st in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Simba Queens from Tanzania and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC who have lifted the regional trophy once will also feature in the qualifiers.

The winner of the regional qualifiers will represent CECAFA at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to announce the venue and dates of the tournament.

Teams to be drawn

Top Girls Academy (Burundi), FC Ujeco (Djibouti), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (Ethiopia), Denden FC (Eritrea), Kenya Police Bullets (Kenya), Rayon Sport WFC (Rwanda), Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda), Mafunzo WFC (Zanzibar)

Tanzania’s JKT Queens have exited the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League 2025 in Egypt

Going into the last Group B match on Saturday against TP Mazembe, the CECAFA champions needed a win to advance to the knock out stage.

Despite scoring early through Stumai Abdallah after 14 minutes, JKT Queens lost 4-1 to the DR Congo team. After their 1-1 draw against Gaborone United and ASEC Mimosas, the Tanzanian team finished with two points.

Kessy Abdallah, the JKT Queens coach said that although they failed to advance to the next stage, the team has learnt some lessons.

“We played three matches, drew twice and lost once. Our young team has learnt a lot on how to handle matches at this big stage,” explained Abdallah.

The coach explained that the team did not respond well especially on the defending side, but also failed to take the many scoring opportunities they created.