Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC ready for CAF Champions League qualifiers

Ahead of Kawempe Muslim Ladies’ CECAFA zonal qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League starting this weekend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, their coach Ayub Kalifah Kiyingi says that his team has all it takes to make history by becoming the first Ugandan female football side to qualify for the group stages.

“We have had enough time to prepare. Kawempe Muslim Secondary School administration headed by our headmistress and club chairperson Hajjat Zulaika Kibirige has been very supportive. It is now our time to deliver and I promise our fans that we are going to Ethiopia to compete and win.” Said Kiyingi.

Kiyingi made this promise on Wednesday, shortly before the team was flagged off to Ethiopia where the Cecafa zonal qualifiers are going to be held from 17-31st of this month.

Headmistress and club chairperson Hajjat Zulaika Kibirige speaking at a press conference

Kawempe is going to become the fourth female team from Uganda to take part in these qualifiers where only the winning team gets the only spot available to represent the region in the CAF Women’s Champions League group stages at the continental level.

All the previous three teams, Lady Doves, She Corporate and Kampala Queens all failed to get past the regional giants Simba Queens of Tanzania and Ethiopia Commercial Bank (CBE) on their respective attempts.

Clubs that win their respective national football topflight leagues get the opportunity to take part in these qualifiers. Kawempe, therefore, got qualified after winning last season’s FUFA Women Super League.

Kawempe are in Group B with Simba Queens, FAD Djibouti, and PVP Buyenzi of Burundi.

Agnes Nabukenya, who scored 10 league goals for Kawempe last season to win the golden, says that she feels fresh and ready to carry on from where she stopped despite the fact that she will be playing at this level for the first time.

Headmistress and club chairperson Hajjat Zulaika Kibirige speaks to the press

“It is not going to be easy for us because a majority of us have not played at this level before, therefore, we are going to be learning, but one thing we have is confidence and as a player, I am very ready to score goals.” Nabukenya promised.

Hajjat Zulaika Kibirige’s message to the players was to stick to the core values of discipline and hard work in order for them to excel in this competition as well.

“I am excited to be presenting to CECAFA a team of gallant ladies, who are very talented footballers that are ready to represent our school and country on this big stage. Our players, you are here because of hard work and discipline. As you go to represent your school, and the country, always remember those values in order for us to return home with the trophy.” Kibirige advised.

The team leaves on Thursday morning aboard Ethiopian Airlines but of the 20 squad players, three have been promoted from the junior team. These are Shadia Nabirye, Sumaya Nabuto, and Claire Kebirungi.

Kawempe’s first match is on Sunday against PVP Buyenzi of Burundi.

CAF Women’s Champions League

CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers

August 17-31st, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Group A

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan)

Warriors Queens (Zanzibar)

Rayon Sports (Rwanda)

Police Bullets (Kenya)

 Group B

Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda)

Simba Queens (Tanzania)

PVP Buyenzi (Burundi)

FAD (Djibouti)

Sunday

Kawempe Muslim Ladies v PVP Buyenzi

At 1PM