Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC head coach Ayub and captain Agnes Nabukenya have expressed their joy after guiding the Ugandan champions to a historic qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Kawempe 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 secured Kawempe’s place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, making them 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.
Her decisive strike in extra time capped a memorable campaign for the skipper, who played a key role in Kawempe’s successful run. Nabukenya’s performances earned her the tournament’s MVP award, while goalkeeper Saidat Namwanje was named Best Goalkeeper.
The historic qualification marks another major milestone for Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, who 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.
Kawempe will now turn their attention to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, where they will represent Uganda on the continental stage.
