Sinan RAJUB SENOGA
The 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers officially kick off today in Nairobi, Kenya with two fixtures on the card.
Defending champions CBE of Ethiopia face Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in the tournament’s opener at 1pm at Nyayo Stadium while Uganda’s Kampala Queens will take on Kenya Police Bullets at 4pm.
Kampala Queens are targeting a winning start that will potentially guide them to the Group A leadership and ultimately secure them a coveted semi-final berth.
Under the tutelage of Ethiopian tactician Firew Asefa Hailegebral, Kampala Queens will be seeking to become the first Ugandan side to win the CECAFA Championship.
The team lost Shamirah Nalugya and Zainah Nandede who played an integral part in winning the Women Super League title last season.
Consequently, Shakirah Nankwanga has been named as the new team skipper to replace Nalugya, with Jamirah Nabulime as her immediate assistant.
New Signings
Kampala Queens brought in nine new players including four foreigners; Turist Lema and Amedu Meadin Salihu from Ethiopia and Square Maiwase and Precious Phiri from Zambia.
Goalkeeper Sharon Kaidu, left-back Jolly Kobusingye, striker Joanitah Ainembabazi, former Olila captain Marion Amangat and right back Catherine Wujja are the other signings.
Familiar Opponents
Kenya Police Bullets is home to former Kampala Queens captain Zainah Namuleme and winger Magret Kunihira who were recently acquired from Makerere University and Ceasiaa Queens respectively.
Defender Desire Katisi Natooro, signed from Asubo Ladies, is another Ugandan player who was signed by Kenya Police Bullets.
Namuleme will be in the spotlight having featured for Kampala Queens from the club’s inspection in 2016 until her unceremonious departure last year.
As a player, Namuleme has enjoyed a redemption since her KQ exit, scoring 10 goals for Makerere University and returning to the Crested Cranes fold before captaining the team in the CECAFA Women’s Championship this year.
Kampala Queens pursuit for redemption
Kampala Queens didn’t go past the group stages in the debut Champions League campaign in 2022, and will be seeking to go far in their second time.
Kenya Police Bullets finished as the runners up of the previous campaign having lost to CBE in the final in Addis Ababa last year.
Kampala Queens has no room for error as they are pitted against the Kenyan back to back champions alongside Eritrea debutants Denden SC.
The eventual group winners of each of the three groups will automatically book a place in the semi finals and will be joined by the overall best second placed team.
Kampala Queens Probable XI; Sharon Kaidu (GK), Jamirah Nabulime, Shakirah Nankwanga, Esther Namusoke, Jolly Kobusingye, Teddy Najjuma, Amedu Meadin Salihu, Zaitun Namaganda, Turist Lema, Joanitah Ainembabazi, Catherine Nagadya
