All roads will lead to the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday to witness two semi-final matches in the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers.
Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies will take to the field first against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), while Kenya Police Bullets will also take on surprise package Yei Joint Stars WFC from South Sudan.
But after stopping the same side 1-0 in the group stage, Kawempe Mulsim Ladies’ coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi says it will be a very tricky encounter.
“It is not always easy playing the same team in the tournament because they will be all out to try and get a revenge. But we have prepared well and are more than determined to win and get to the final,” says Kiyingi.
The trio of Agnes Nabukenya, Jovia Nakago and Latifah Nakasi who have each netted two goals a piece will be hungry to find more goals for the Ugandan Women League champions.
Heye Gizaw Birhanu, the CBE head coach also stressed that facing a team twice in the same tournament will be tricky. “We know them well and they know us. But we have planned a god strategy that will help us beat them and progress to the final,” added coach Birhanu.
Emush Daniel Dandamo who netted five goals for CBE in their huge 11-0 win against FC Ujeco in the group stages will be the player to watch.
The second semi final hurdle also promises to be a tight contest. After five earlier attempts Yei Joint Stars WFC make their first appearance at the semi-final stage, while Kenya Police Bullets have been here before having finished runners-up in 2024, and third last year.
David Bujego Rangon, the Kenya Police Bullets coach has made it clear that this is their year to win the trophy. “Although facing Yei Joints Stars will not be easy, we are determined to go out and win,” added the coach.
The Kenya Police Bullets led by skipper Elizabeth Ochaka will however miss the services of Lydia Akoth who accumulated two yellow cards in the group stage.
Sony Harriet, the Yei Joints Stars coach says being at this level is a good thing. “We must be at our best tactically because we are going to face a good team,” added the coach.
The play-off for third place and the final will be played on August st at the same Kigali Pele Stadium.
