Kawempe Muslim vow to compete, not just participate, on CAF debut

Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi and captain Shakira Nyinagahirwa say the team is ready to represent Uganda and compete for a strong finish at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt.

Kawempe Muslim will become the first Ugandan club to feature in the continental competition, which runs from Sunday to November 15.

Khalifa said his players were ready for the challenge, despite making their first appearance at the tournament.

“The only difference is that this time we are playing club to club against teams from other countries,” he said.

“We are going to this tournament for the first time. No Ugandan team has been there or played.”

He said Kawempe’s reputation would make opponents prepare carefully but urged his players to focus on their game.

“We are eight teams from Africa, and everyone has worked hard to get there, which means we are a powerful team. When one hears Kawempe, they come well prepared,” Khalifa said.

“But what I have put in the players’ minds is that it is not the first time we are playing football. Where we are going, we are going to play football.”

Captain Nyinagahirwa said the team is determined to compete rather than simply participate.

“The team is also prepared. The coaches have done their best to prepare us so that we can go and compete. We are not going just to participate; we are going to compete in the tournament,” she said.

“I want to tell the Ugandan fans that I am prepared enough to compete at that level.”

Kawempe Muslim booked their place in Egypt after winning the CECAFA zonal qualifiers in August.

They began with a 1-0 victory over Ethiopia’s CBE before thrashing Djibouti’s FC Ujeco 8-0 to finish top of their group. They then beat CBE 3-0 in the semi-finals before defeating Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 after extra time in the final.

Agnes Nabukenya scored the winning goal in the 100th minute to secure the historic qualification.

Kawempe has been drawn in Group B alongside Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat, the reigning champions, Mali’s USFAS Bamako and the winner of the WAFU B qualifiers between Nigeria’s Edo Queens and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa.

Their campaign begins against AS FAR Rabat on monday, a tough opening test for the Ugandan champions.

The tournament will be staged in Egypt, with Cairo and the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia listed as host locations.

Kawempe has received support from the Government of Uganda, which provided Sh50m towards preparations and 30 return air tickets to Egypt.

Under Khalifa, who has led the club since 2001, Kawempe have built a strong record in Ugandan women’s football and developed several young players.

Among them is 17-year-old Nabukenya, who joined the club in 2022 and has grown into one of its key players. She was named the best player in the CECAFA zonal qualifiers and scored the decisive goal in the final against Kenya Police Bullets.

Nabukenya has also represented Uganda at youth level and earned a call-up to the senior national team. She attracted attention in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in January 2025 when she scored six goals against Namibia.