Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) WFC and Tanzania’s Simba Queens suffered setbacks on Monday as the CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers entered a decisive stage in Kigali.
CBE WFC, which had opened its campaign with an emphatic 11-0 victory over Djibouti’s FC Ujeco, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC in Group B at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Agnes Nabukenya scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, handing Kawempe Muslim Ladies three valuable points in their opening match of the tournament.
Despite the defeat, CBE WFC remain top of Group B on three points, with a superior goal difference of +10. Kawempe Muslim Ladies are second on three points with a goal difference of +1, while FC Ujeco sit bottom without a point after conceding 12 goals in their two matches.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies will face FC Ujeco in their final group match and need at least a draw to secure a place in the semi-finals.
In Group C, Kenya Police Bullets WFC also claimed a major victory after defeating defending 2022 champions Simba Queens 2-1.
Faith Mboya put Kenya Police Bullets ahead in the 17th minute before Simba Queens levelled through Senaf Wakuma Demise in the 68th minute.
Martha Amunyolette Emedot restored Kenya Police Bullets’ lead in the 78th minute to seal all three points.
The result left Kenya Police Bullets and Simba Queens level on three points, although Kenya Police Bullets still have a game in hand against Burundi’s Top Girls Academy.
Kenya Police Bullets will qualify for the semi-finals if they avoid defeat against Top Girls Academy.
The CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers continue on Tuesday with the final Group A matches, which will be played simultaneously at 3pm.
Zanzibar’s Mafunzo WSC will face Eritrea’s Denden WFC at the FERWAFA Hotel ground in Remera, while Rwanda’s Rayon Sports will take on South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Rayon Sports must win to qualify as group winners. A draw would also take them through as runners-up, while a defeat could still see them qualify depending on the result between Mafunzo and Denden.
