Nabukenya brace inspires Kawempe Muslim to historic win over champions AS FAR
David GOMBE
Agnes Nabukenya and Shakirah Nyinagahirwa were on target as Kawempe Muslim made a statement win over defending champions AS FAR in their debut CAF Women’s Champions League campaign on Monday.
Nabukenya netted a brace while Nyinagahirwa scored the other as Kawempe stunned the Moroccan giants 3-1 at Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt.
The reigning African champions took an early lead in the sixth minute when forward Fatima Tagnaout struck the opening goal of the contest.
Nabukenya restored parity for the Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi-coached side eight minutes into the second half after being fed by captain Nyinagahirwa.
Nyinagahirwa then registered her name on the scoresheet six minutes later to give the Ugandan champions the lead for the first time in the game.
The two-time African champions AS FAR, appearing in their sixth tournament, were awarded a penalty after Nadia Lafta was brought down in the forbidden area by goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya.
Second-half substitute Nadia El Madani was entrusted with the responsibility to level matters for the Moroccan outfit but failed to convert.
Nabukenya completed her brace in the final minutes of the game to help Kawempe clinch a historic win in their first Group B game and against a side that has appeared at every CAF Women’s Champions League finals, won the competition twice and also reached the final three times.
In fact, Kawempe Muslim became the 29th different club to appear at the finals and also became the 20th different opponent AS FAR has faced in the competition.
Kawempe will return to action on Thursday, November 5, when they take on Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies in their second Group Stage match, hoping to maintain their winning momentum.