The CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers kicked off on Friday with two Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium.
South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC brushed a side Denden FC from Eritrea in the opening mat, while Zanzibar’s Mafunzo Women FC held Rayon Sports WFC (Rwanda) goalless.
In the opening match Denden FC making a second appearance in the Zonal qualifiers created several scoring opportunities, but the Yei Joint Stars goalkeeper Nawal Isaac Henry Major was up to the task.
Poni Esther Wani gave the South Sudan champions the lead after only four minutes, but the Eritrean side settled in well and fought back strongly. Denden’s Hermiela Tsegay had her penalty kick stopped in the first half.
After recess Grace Aluka netted a brace to ensure the Yei Joint Stars collected maximum points.
Mary Anger Bol, the yei Joint Stars captain says it was good to start the tournament with a win. “This win gives us good momentum ahead of the other two group matches,” added the captain.
The second match saw the two teams create many scoring opportunities, but failed to take them. Mafunzo Women FC skipper Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu came close to finding the net when her shot hit the post after 81 minutes. Substitute Josiane Uwihirwe also hit the post for Rayon Women FC with four minutes added.
Action continues on Saturday with 2024 champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia taking on FC Ujeco (Djibouti) in a Group B match, while Simba Queens from Tanzania face Top Girls Academy (Burundi) in a Group C match at the same Kigali Pele Stadium
Group A
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Yei Joints Stars 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
Mafunzo Women 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Rayon Sports WFC 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Denden FC 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
