Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies have produced a stunning performance at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, defeating defending champions AS FAR of Morocco 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter in Ismailia, Egypt.
Captain Agnes Nabukenya was the heroine of the contest, scoring twice, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner, to hand the CECAFA champions a memorable victory over one of Africa’s most established women’s football clubs.
The encounter, played on Monday, November 2, at the Suez Canal Stadium, lived up to expectations, with both sides delivering an entertaining contest that produced five goals.
AS FAR, seeking to defend the continental crown they won in 2025, made an encouraging start and took the lead in the sixth minute through Tagnaout.
The Moroccan champions appeared to have established early control of the contest, but Kawempe responded strongly after the break.
Nabukenya brought the Ugandan side back into the game in the 53rd minute, restoring parity and giving Kawempe renewed belief.
Five minutes later, Nyinagahirwa completed the turnaround, putting the CECAFA champions 2-1 ahead in the 58th minute.
However, AS FAR refused to surrender their title-defence ambitions and were rewarded when El Madani converted a 69th-minute penalty to make it 2-2.
With the match seemingly heading towards a draw, Nabukenya delivered the decisive moment in the fourth minute of stoppage time, 90+4, finding the back of the net to complete her brace and seal a sensational 3-2 victory for Kawempe.
The result represents a significant statement of intent from the Ugandan champions, who are making their debut at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
Kawempe qualified for the continental competition after winning the CECAFA zonal championship in Rwanda in August 2026, recording four victories, scoring 13 goals and conceding none during their qualification campaign.
Their victory over AS FAR is particularly significant, considering the Moroccan club’s pedigree in the competition.
AS FAR are two-time champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2025. They are also the only club to have featured in every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League since its introduction in 2021.
For Kawempe, however, the victory demonstrates that tournament debutants can compete with and overcome Africa’s biggest women’s football clubs.
The 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League runs from November 1 to 15 in Egypt, with eight clubs competing for continental honours.
Kawempe are drawn in Group B alongside AS FAR, Mali’s USFAS Bamako and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for November 11, while the final will take place on November 15.
With this remarkable opening victory, Kawempe Muslim Ladies have announced themselves as serious contenders for a place in the knockout stage, while AS FAR will have to recover quickly to keep their title-defence campaign on track.
