By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
After an exciting group stage campaign, four teams advanced to the knockout phase of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
The semi-finals featured Simba Queens FC of Tanzania, She Corporate FC of Uganda, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC, and AS Kigali WFC of Rwanda, with the winners progressing to the final and the third-place playoff.
Hosts Simba Queens FC continued their impressive form and eventually lifted the trophy after defeating Uganda’s She Corporate FC in the final.
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Semi-Finals
24 August 2022
Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 5–1 AS Kigali WFC (Rwanda)
Venue: National Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Stage: Semi-final
Simba Queens produced a dominant performance against Rwanda’s AS Kigali WFC to book their place in the final.
Goals:
Simba Queens FC
Vivian Corazone Aquino 15’
Vivian Corazone Aquino 47’
Opa Clement 30’
Aisha Juma Manunka 38’
Diana William Mnally 85’
AS Kigali WFC
Dorothee Mukeshimana 28’
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Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 1–2 She Corporate FC (Uganda)
Venue: National Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Stage: Semi-final
Uganda’s She Corporate FC secured their place in the final after overcoming Ethiopian side Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC.
Goals:
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Loza Abera 62’
She Corporate FC
Anita Namata 20’
Phiona Nabbuma 75’
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Third Place Match
27 August 2022
AS Kigali WFC (Rwanda) 1–3 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (Ethiopia)
Venue: National Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC claimed the bronze medal after defeating AS Kigali WFC in the third-place playoff.
Goals:
AS Kigali WFC
Aregash (own goal) 63’
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Loza Abera 9’
Hasabe Gila 32’
Aregash 45+1’
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Final
27 August 2022
Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 1–0 She Corporate FC (Uganda)
Venue: National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A tightly contested final saw hosts Simba Queens FC edge past She Corporate FC to become champions of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Kenya international Vivian Corazone Aquino converted from the penalty spot.
Goal:
⚽ Vivian Corazone Aquino 46’ (Penalty)
With the victory, Simba Queens secured the CECAFA region’s qualification slot for the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
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Final Standings
Position Team Country
🏆 Champions Simba Queens FC Tanzania
🥈 Runners-up She Corporate FC Uganda
🥉 Third Place Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC Ethiopia
4th Place AS Kigali WFC Rwanda
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Individual Awards
🏆 Player of the Tournament
Vivian Corazone Aquino
🇰🇪 Kenya — Simba Queens FC
Aquino played a key role in Simba Queens’ title-winning campaign, including scoring the winning goal in the final.
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⚽ Top Scorer
Loza Abera
🇪🇹 Ethiopia — Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Goals: 11
The Ethiopian striker finished as the tournament’s leading scorer after an outstanding attacking display.
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🧤 Best Goalkeeper
Gelwa Yona
🇹🇿 Tanzania — Simba Queens FC
Yona played an important role as Simba Queens completed the tournament without conceding a goal in the group stage.
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🏅 Fair Play Award
AS Kigali WFC
🇷🇼 Rwanda
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Tournament Statistics
Matches Played: 16
Goals Scored: 72
Average Goals Per Match: 4.5
The tournament produced an entertaining attacking display, with several teams recording high-scoring victories during the group stage.
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Top Goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Loza Abera Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 11
2 Medina Busser Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 6
3 Phiona Nabbuma She Corporate FC 6
4 Zawadi Usanase AS Kigali WFC 5
5 Alworonga Debora Yei Joint Stars FC 4
5 Favour Nambatya She Corporate FC 4
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Yei Joint Stars FC’s Legacy 🇸🇸
Although South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC did not reach the knockout stage, their participation represented another important step in the development of women’s club football in the country.
The club gained valuable international experience, recorded a historic 6–0 victory, and produced one of the tournament’s leading scorers in Alworonga Debora, who finished with four goals.
Their campaign helped continue South Sudan’s presence on the regional women’s football stage.
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Conclusion
The 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers ended with Simba Queens FC making history as champions on home soil, while She Corporate FC, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC, and AS Kigali WFC completed the top four positions.
The competition once again highlighted the growth of women’s football in East and Central Africa and provided clubs with a pathway to compete at the highest continental level.
All statistics correct as of 27 August 2022.
