Tanzania’s Simba Queens FC have joined She Corporate FC (Uganda) in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League qualifier for the CECAFA Zone.
She Corporate who were playing in the tournament for the first time shocked earlier favourites Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) 2-1 in the first semi final match played at the Azam Complex, Chamazi on Wednesday.
Anita Namata gave the Ugandan side the lead after 20 minutes with a rebound after the CBE defenders failed to clear away a ball that bounced off the pole. But Geinore Loza Abera almost leveled matters six minutes later, but her well taken shot was stopped by She Corporate goalkeeper Dpahine Nyayenga.
Again the Ethiopian giants pushed forward before the tournament’s second highest scorer Medina Awol Busser shot wide from close range at the stroke of half time.
In the second half CBE looked a much improved side and pushed forward before they leveled matters through Abera after 61 minutes. The CBE skipper ran through a flat footed She Corporate to score and take her tally in the tournament to 10 goals.
But the Ugandan side continued to press in numbers giving CBE no time to play their passing game. After 75 minutes Phiona Nabbumba shot from outside the box off a free kick to beat CBE’s goalkeeper Balcha Bargena Tarikija and restore She Corporate’s lead.
The Ugandan team defended deep to deny last year’s runners-up CBE the opportunity to find more goals. Charle Lukula Ayeikoh, the She Corporate’s coach praised his players for the disciplined performance.
“We knew what to do to be able to stop a highly passing team like CBE. Let us now go back to the drawing board and plan for the final,” added Ayeikoh.
The CBE coach Heye Gizaw Birhanu told Cafonline that his team failed to play well. “The Ugandan team did not give us the chance to play well and pressed deep well. But this is what a knockout stage is,” said Birhanu.
In the second semi final match Simba Queens outplayed AS Kigali WFC (Rwanda) to win 5-1. Vivian Aquino Carozone gave the home side the lead after 15 minutes, but Dorothee Mukeshimana leveled matters after 28 minutes.
Opa Clement Tukumbuke and Aisha Juma Mnunka scored two more goals to give Simba Queens a 3-1 lead at half time.
After recess coach Sebastian Leonard Nkoma’s team kept pushing forward before they added two more goals through Aquino Carozone and Diana William Mnally.
“My team is very good at playing in knockout stages and they showed that today by scoring five goals. We are happy to qualify for the final and we shall also plan for it well,” said Simba Queens coach Nkoma.
As Kigali captain Libellee Nibagwire said that they failed to play well as a team. “Simba Queens played a much better game,” added the skipper.
The match was also graced by the CECAFA and Tanzania Football Federation President, Wallace Karia, Rwanda Football Federation President, Mugabo N. Olivier and FIFA Disciplinary Committee member Martin Ngoga among others. The play-off and final will be played on August 27th.
Courtesy of CAF Communication
- Advertisement -
