Kawempe stun champions FAR Rabat on Champions League debut

CAF Women’s Champions League

Match Day One Results

FAR Rabat 2 Kawempe 3

Masar 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 0

FUS Rabat 0 Lekié 0

Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC made a dream start to their CAF Women’s Champions League campaign after stunning defending champions FAR Rabat of Morocco 3-2 in their opening Group B match at Ismailia Stadium in Egypt yesterday.

Agnes Nabukenya was the heroine, scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute to hand the Ugandan champions a historic victory on their debut in the continental competition.

Nambuya endured a difficult afternoon, with some costly errors, although she also made important saves to keep her side in the contest.

After trailing at half-time, Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi’s side returned with renewed determination and drew level in the 51st minute through Nabukenya, whose well-taken finish brought Kawempe back into the game.

The equaliser lifted the Ugandans, who began to dominate possession and put the Moroccan giants under sustained pressure.

Six minutes later, captain Shakira Nyinagahirwa completed the turnaround, unleashing a powerful shot after receiving a well-timed pass from Shadia Nabirye to give Kawempe a 2-1 lead.

Kiyingi’s charges continued to play with confidence, showing impressive passing, coordination and attacking intent against the reigning champions.

However, their advantage was wiped out when Nambuya fouled Doha El Madani inside the penalty area. Mauritanian referee Yacine Samassa awarded FAR Rabat a penalty, which El Madani converted to restore parity at 2-2.

 Despite the setback, Kawempe refused to settle for a draw and continued pushing forward in search of a winner.

Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when Nabukenya struck again in the 94th minute to seal a memorable victory and send the Ugandan side top of Group B with three points.

The result marks a significant milestone for Kawempe, who became the first Ugandan women’s club to feature in the CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament.

Nabukenya has continued to prove her importance to the team, having also scored the decisive goal in Kawempe’s 1-0 victory over Kenya Police Bullets in the CECAFA qualifying final in Kigali, Rwanda, in August.

Kawempe will return to action on Thursday against Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies as they seek to strengthen their position in the group and move closer to a semi-final berth.