Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC Stun CBE to Make Winning Start in CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC made a strong statement in their quest for continental glory after edging Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Women FC 1-0 in their opening Group B match of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.
Captain Agnes Nabukenya proved to be the difference between the two sides, calmly converting a 12th minute penalty to give the Ugandan champions a crucial victory in a match that was widely regarded as the toughest fixture in the group.
The Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League champions started the contest with purpose, putting the Ethiopian defence under sustained pressure.
New signings Cecilia Apiding, Latifah Nakasi and Jovia Nakagolo provided an attacking spark, while Nabukenya, Anitah Namata and Krusoom Namutebi combined effectively in midfield and defence to disrupt CBE’s attacking moves and launch counter-attacks.
Kawempe had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt but failed to convert them. Nakasi and Namata were both presented with good chances late in the match, but the Ugandan side ultimately had to settle for the narrow advantage.
The Valley Warriors, however, remained disciplined defensively and held on firmly to secure all three points.
Revenge for 2024 Defeat
The victory carried extra significance for Kawempe, who were seeking revenge against a CBE side that had eliminated them from the same regional competition two years ago.
CBE defeated Kawempe 2-1 in the semi finals of the 2024 CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers before going on to lift the regional title.
Monday’s result therefore handed Kawempe their first competitive victory over CBE in the regional championship and provided a measure of revenge for the painful 2024 defeat.
Kawempe Take Control of Group B
The victory also puts Kawempe in a strong position to progress from Group B, which features only three teams.
Their next assignment will be against FC UJECO of Djibouti, who were heavily beaten 11-0 by CBE in their opening match.
Kawempe will be expected to build on their impressive victory over the Ethiopian champions and secure another positive result that would strengthen their chances of reaching the semi finals.
For CBE, the defeat comes as a major setback after their emphatic 11-0 victory over UJECO had suggested they would be difficult to contain.
Other Result
In another Monday fixture, Kenya Police Bullets defeated Tanzania’s Simba Queens 2-1 in Group C.
Kawempe’s victory gives Uganda an early boost in the regional competition and keeps alive the country’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
For the Valley Warriors, the message is clear, they have arrived in Kigali not merely to compete, but to challenge for the regional crown.
