CAF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS
Kenya’s Vihiga Queens FC are Champions
Kenya’s Vihiga Queens FC stopped Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 2-1 in the final of the CECAFA Women’s Champions League played on Thursday at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jentrix Shikangwa Milimu netted a late penalty to ensure Vihiga Queens booked the ticket to represent the regional at the inaugural TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League final to take place in Egypt.
The final was also graced by the FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, and CAF 5th Vice President and chairperson of the CAF Women’s Committee, Kanizat Ibrahim.
The hosts started on a high and they pushed the Ethiopian side to defend in numbers. Vihiga Queens coach Charles Okere Okoth was however forced to make an early replacement of injured Alice Muderi and bringing on Janet Bundi.
But after 21 minutes Shikangwa made it 1-0 for Vihiga Queens FC. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Tarikua Bargena Balcha parried back Violet Wanyonyi’s shot, and Shikangwa made no mistake from the rebound.
But the Ethiopian side had Medina Busser and Buwoli Hiwot Dengiso come close to scoring with minutes to half time.
In the second half the Commercial bank of Ethiopia returned determined and pushed forward. They were rewarded with an own goal after defender Vivian Nasaka Makokha nodded Geinore Loza’s free-kick past her goalkeeper after 52 minutes.
But the Vihiga Queens team intensified their search for more goals and kept the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia goalkeeper busy.
After the fourth official showed three minutes of added time Vihiga Queens earned a penalty when substitute Tarikwa Yakura brought down Violet Wanyonyi in the box. Shikangwa confidently converted the penalty.
It was all celebrations for the home side who revenged the 4-2 defeat they suffered to the Ethiopian side in the Group stages. “I am very happy that after hard work we have won the trophy and qualified to represent the region at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League final,” said two goal hero Shikangwa.
Vihiga Queens received gold medals, a trophy and US$30,000 cash prize, while Commercial Bank of Ethiopia also received silver medals and a cash prize of US$20,000. Third placed Lady Doves FC received bronze medals and US$10,000 cash prize.
Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the Republic of Tanzania has supported the competition with a financial boost of US$100,000.