FUFA Women Super League champions Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC’s journey to the CAF Women’s Champions League came to a heartbreaking end after a 2-1 defeat to Ethiopian champions CBE Women FC in the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers semi-finals on Monday.
The match, held at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, was a closely contested affair that saw both teams battling fiercely for a spot in the final.
CBE Women FC took the lead in the 44th minute with a stunning strike from Mesay Temesgen.
The Ethiopian left-back capitalised on a clearance from Kawempe’s Phionah Nabulime, launching a powerful shot from distance that found the back of the net, just before the halftime whistle.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies, determined to keep their CAF Women’s Champions League hopes alive, came out strong in the second half.
Their efforts paid off in the 58th minute when youngster Shadia Nabirye found the equaliser. Nabirye capitalised on a chaotic goalmouth scramble, tapping the ball into the net to level the score and reignite Kawempe’s ambitions.
As the match progressed, both teams sought the winning goal with increasing intensity. However, it was CBE Women FC who found the decisive breakthrough.
With just four minutes left on the clock, Emedet Asfaw secured victory for the hosts, pouncing on a loose ball and slotting it past Kawempe’s goalkeeper, Josephine Nambuya, who was unable to make the crucial save.
The 2-1 defeat means Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC’s quest to reach the CAF Women’s Champions League finals ends agonizingly short.
Despite their valiant efforts, they now join the list of other Ugandan ladies teams, including Lady Doves, She Corporates, and Kampala Queens, who have all failed to progress to the CAF Women’s Champions League in recent years.
CBE now progress to the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers final, where they will face Kenya’s Police Bullets FC to determine the team that will represent the CECAFA region at the final tournament.
Kawempe Muslim, on the other hand, will now shift their focus to the third-place playoff against Simba Queens FC, as they aim to finish their campaign on a high note.
Their performance in the qualifiers, highlighted by a dominant 10-0 victory over Djibouti’s FAD FC in the group stages, has been commendable, and they will look to carry that momentum into the upcoming FUFA Women Super League season.
The league, now known as the Finance Trust Women’s Super League following a 2 Billion UGX sponsorship deal with Finance Trust Bank, will be the next battleground for Kawempe Muslim as they seek to defend their title and continue their legacy in Ugandan women’s football.
