CAF Women’s Champions League, Group B
- Kawempe Muslim Ladies 3-2 AS FAR Rabat (Morocco)
Kawempe Muslim Ladies proved they can compete with Africa’s best after producing a spirited comeback to beat Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat 3-2 in their opening Group B match at the CAF Women’s Champions League in Cairo, Egypt.
The victory was built on the performance of captain Agnes Nabukenya, who scored twice, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner, as Uganda’s representatives recovered from an early setback to claim all three points.
AS FAR, the defending champions, started strongly and took the lead in the sixth minute through Fatima Tagnaout, whose powerful left-footed effort beat goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya.
Kawempe struggled to respond in the first half but returned from the break with greater purpose.
Their improvement paid off in the 53rd minute when Nabukenya fired a low shot from distance into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1.
Five minutes later, captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa put the Ugandan side ahead after driving into the penalty area and beating the goalkeeper with a powerful finish at the near post. AS FAR refused to give up and drew level in the 69th minute through Doha El Madani, who converted a penalty.
Just when the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Kawempe found the winner. Latifa Nakasi released Nabukenya through on goal, and the forward calmly finished to complete her brace and seal a memorable victory.
The result gives Kawempe a strong start to their first appearance at the competition and ends AS FAR’s eight-match unbeaten run in the group stage. The Moroccan club had won seven and drawn one of those matches.
It is also a significant achievement for a team making its continental debut against a side that has featured in every edition of the tournament since its introduction in 2021. AS FAR have won the title twice and reached at least the semi-finals in all five previous appearances.
Kawempe earned their place at the finals after winning the CECAFA zonal qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, in August. They won all four matches, scoring 13 goals without conceding.
Coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s side will now turn their attention to the remaining Group B matches against Mali’s USFAS Bamako on Thursday at 8pm and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies on Sunday at 5pm.
The top two teams in the group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled for November 11. The tournament, which features eight clubs, runs until November 15 in Cairo and Ismailia. There is also a major financial reward at stake, with the champions set to receive $600,000 (about sh2.2bn), while the runners-up will earn $400,000 (about sh1.5bn).
Kawempe’s participation has received Government support through the National Council of Sports, which provided sh50m, while FUFA paid air tickets for the 30-member delegation.
The winners will also qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, where they are scheduled to face North Korean side Naegohyang WFC in December.
Source: ChampionSport Reporter
