Who will win CECAFA Women’s Champions League title?

The stage is set for the final of the CECAFA Zonal qualifier of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League to take place this afternoon at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

Unbeaten Commercial Bank of Ethiopia will battle Kenya’s Vihiga Queens FC in the final. In the earlier play-off Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) will take on Lady Doves FC (Uganda).

Toreach the final the Ethiopia side struggled to beat Lady Doves 5-3 on penalty shoot-outs after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, while Vihiga Queens defeated Simba Queens FC 2-1.

Heye Birhanu Gizaw, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia head coach told Cecafaonline that although they defeated Vihiga Queens 4-2 in the group stage, the final is a different stage.

“We know it will not be very easy because Vihiga is home and are very physical. We know what to expect, but we shall plan well so that we beat them again,” added Gizaw.

The team’s leading scorer and skipper Geinore Loza Abera (13 goals) has also made it clear they are hungry to win and represent the CECAFA region at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League final. “We are determined to win the Cup,” added Abera.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia will also hope that their instrumental player Medina Aol Busser passes a late fitness test for the final.

But the Vihiga Queens FC coach Charles Okere Okoth has also made it clear they will be determined to lift the trophy. “I am happy we have picked our rythem going into the final. We know the Ethiopia team is good and plays a highly pssing game, but we shall handle them,” said Okoth.

Vihiga Quuens will look to Jentrix Shikangwa Milimu, Maurine Achieng and Tereza Obunyu Engesha who have all netted five goals each.

The winners will walk away with medals, a trophy and a cash prize of US$30,000, The runners-up will take medals and a cash prize of US$20,000 and the third placed bronze medals and US$10,000. Best individual performers will also received awards.

Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the Republic of Tanzania has supported the competition with a financial boost of US$100,000.

FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman and Kanizat Ibrahim, CAF’s 5th Vice President and chairperson of the organizing committee for women’s football of CAF are all expected to grace the final.

Leading scorers

13 – Geinore Loza Abera (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia)

8 – Medina Awol Busser (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia)

6 – Jentrix Shikangwa Milimu (Vihiga Queens, Kenya)

   –  Maurine Achieng (Vihiga Queens, Kenya)

5 – Flavine Mawete Musolo (Simba Queens FC, Tanzania)

   – Tereza Obunyu Engesha (Vihiga Queens, Kenya)

4 – Opa Clement (Simba Queens, Tanzania)

   –  Violet Nanjala Wanyonyi (Vihiga Queens, Kenya)

    –  Aisha Juma Mnunka (Simba Queens, Tanzania)

    –  Fazila Ikwaput (Lady Doves FC, Uganda)