By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
After a competitive group stage, four teams advanced to the knockout stage of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
The semi-finals featured Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (CBE), Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda), Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) and Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya).
Hosts Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC produced a strong home campaign, defeating Kenya Police Bullets in the final to win their first CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers title and secure qualification for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament.
Semi-Finals
26 August 2024
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (Ethiopia) 2–1 Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda)
Venue: Addis Ababa Stadium, Ethiopia
CBE FC reached the final after overcoming Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies in a closely contested semi-final.
Goals:
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Mesay Temesgen 45’
Emebet Asfaw 89’
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC
Shadia Nabirye 60’
Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 2–3 Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya)
Venue: Addis Ababa Stadium, Ethiopia
Kenya Police Bullets continued their impressive debut campaign by defeating former champions Simba Queens FC in a thrilling semi-final.
Goals:
Simba Queens FC
Vivian Corazone 38’
Vivian Corazone 56’
Kenya Police Bullets FC
Lucy Kwekwe Jira 29’
Diana Wacera 61’
Rebecca Akinyi 82’
Third Place Match
29 August 2024
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda) 2–0 Simba Queens FC (Tanzania)
Venue: Addis Ababa Stadium
Kawempe Muslim Ladies secured the bronze medal after defeating 2022 champions Simba Queens FC.
Goals:
Sumayo Nabuto 19’
Agnes Nabukenya 50’
Final
29 August 2024
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (Ethiopia) 1–0 Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya)
Venue: Addis Ababa Stadium, Ethiopia
The final brought together hosts Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC and debutants Kenya Police Bullets FC in a battle for regional supremacy.
After a tight contest, CBE FC found the decisive goal in the closing stages to secure their first-ever CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers championship.
Goal:
⚽ Sinaf Wakuma 79’
The victory completed a memorable home tournament for CBE FC and earned them qualification for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament.
Final Positions
Position Team Country
🏆 Champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC Ethiopia
🥈 Runners-up Kenya Police Bullets FC Kenya
🥉 Third Place Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC Uganda
4th Place Simba Queens FC Tanzania
Individual Awards
⭐ Best Player of the Tournament
Mesay Temesgen Tanga
🇪🇹 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Temesgen played a crucial role in CBE FC’s championship-winning campaign and was recognised as the tournament’s outstanding player.
⚽ Top Scorer
Sinaf Wakuma Demise
🇪🇹 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Goals: 6
Wakuma finished as the tournament’s leading scorer after producing a strong attacking display throughout the competition.
🧤 Best Goalkeeper
Annedy Kundu
🇰🇪 Kenya Police Bullets FC
Kundu’s performances helped Kenya Police Bullets reach the final during their debut appearance.
🏅 Fair Play Award
Simba Queens FC
🇹🇿 Tanzania
Tournament Statistics
Matches Played: 16
Goals Scored: 51
Average Goals Per Match: 3.19
The 2024 edition produced competitive matches, with 51 goals scored across 16 games and several emerging women’s football talents from the CECAFA region.
Top Goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Sinaf Wakuma Demise CBE FC (Ethiopia) 6
2 Vivian Corazone Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 4
3 Asha Rashid Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 3
3 Aregash Kalsa CBE FC (Ethiopia) 3
3 Hadijah Nandago Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda) 3
3 Jentrix Shikangwa Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) 3
3 Shadia Nabirye Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda) 3
Yei Joint Stars FC’s Historic Journey 🇸🇸
South Sudan champions Yei Joint Stars FC completed their fourth consecutive appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
Their participation across four editions:
2021 — Group Stage
2022 — Group Stage
2023 — Group Stage
2024 — Group Stage
The club’s consistency has made them one of South Sudan’s most regular representatives in regional women’s club football, providing players with valuable exposure against elite teams from East and Central Africa.
Conclusion
The 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers ended with Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC making history as champions on home soil.
CBE FC’s triumph secured Ethiopia’s place at the continental stage, while Kenya Police Bullets announced themselves as a strong new force in regional women’s football.
The tournament once again demonstrated the continued growth, competitiveness and rising quality of women’s club football across the CECAFA region.
All statistics correct as of 29 August 2024.
