Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC head coach Ayub and captain Agnes Nabukenya are celebrating after guiding the Ugandan champions to a historic qualification for the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League.
The Kampala-based outfit defeated Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in the final of the CAF Women's Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers in Kigali on Monday, with Nabukenya scoring the decisive goal in the 100th minute of extra time.
The victory makes Kawempe the first Ugandan club to qualify for the prestigious continental competition.
For Ayub, the achievement is a significant milestone for a team that had never previously reached the final of the regional qualifiers.
"It is a great achievement for us. It was our first time to play in the final and we are glad that we are going to play in the Champions League. I thank my players for their commitment," said Ayub.
Kawempe completed the qualifiers unbeaten and without conceding a goal, underlining their strong defensive organisation throughout the tournament.
Captain Nabukenya, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, described the journey as challenging but rewarding.
"It is exciting to guide Kawempe to the Champions League. It was not easy because every game required a different approach but we worked together as a team to achieve our goal," said Nabukenya.
Goalkeeper Saidat Namwanje was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament as the Ugandan side swept the top individual awards.
A milestone for Ugandan women's football
n Kawempe have established themselves as one of the leading forces in Ugandan women's football, winning the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League six times.
This Champions League ticket is the crown jewel on that roll of honour, and the question now is how the Venoms fare against the continent's heavyweights.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is simple: can a club making its maiden continental appearance truly compete, or will the step up prove too steep for Ayub's girls?
What Kawempe won
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2026 CAF Women's Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers winners
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First Ugandan club to qualify for the CAF Women's Champions League
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Tournament MVP: Agnes Nabukenya
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Best Goalkeeper: Saidat Namwanje
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Unbeaten run, zero goals conceded
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Six-time Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League champions
Source: FUFA
