The wait is finally over as the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers will kick-off on Friday at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.
South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC who will be making their sixth appearance in the competition will open the campaign in the first Group A match against Denden FC from Eritrea.
Sony Harriet, the Yei Joint Stars FC coach said they are not here just to participate, but to compete.
“We have gained a lot of experience after playing in the last five editions and this time we want to make it out of the group,” added the coach during a press conference held at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Thursday.
She made it clear that they will not underrate any opponent at the tournament. Team captain Mary Anger said the players are all excited to be back in the competition and determined to perform better.
Rezene Gebregiogis, the Denden FC coach also made it clear that after losing all their matches in their first appearance last year, they are determined to perform better this year. “We got the exposure last year, and we are now well prepared and know what to expect,” added Gebregiogis.
The second Group A match will see last year’s runners-up Rayon Sports WFC (Rwanda) take on Mafunzo WFC from Zanzibar. Claude Rwaka, the Rayon Sports WFC head coach says they are very happy to be playing at home in-front of their fans. “We have prepared well and the team is ready to compete well,” added Rwaka.
Rayon Sports WFC captain Andersen Uwase also called upon their fans to come and motivate them as they try to win the Zonal qualifiers.
The Mafunzo WFC captain Cynthia Shilwatso made it clear that although they respect their opponents, they have prepared well and are ready for the tournament. “We have prepared well and are determined to get till the later stage of the tournament,” added the captain.
Action will shift to Group B on Saturday as 2024 champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia take on FC Ujeco (Djibouti), while Simba Queens (Tanzania) who lifted the trophy in 2022 take on Top Girls Academy from Burundi.
The champion will represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026.
Group A: Rayon Sport WFC, Yei Joint Star FC, Mafunzo SC, Denden FC
Group B: CBE FC, Kawempe Muslim Ladies, FC Ujeco
Group C: Simba Queens, Kenya Police Bullets FC, Top Girls Academy FC
