The group stage of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers successfully came to a climax on Thursday with two fixtures from Group A.
The games played at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru confirmed the last two semifinalists.
The champions of Burundi Buja Queens have narrowly defeated FAD FC 2-1 to advance to the semifinals and joins JKT Queens, Vihiga Queens and Commercial Bank Of Ethiopia.
Buja came in the game as favorites but FAD FC who looked to be the underdogs since they had lost all their previous games, hold Buja to end the first stanza 0-0 to leave more work to be done by Buja.
In the second half, FAD FC actually had more clear goal opportunity chances but they were poorly utilized.
Buja Queens scored the first goal in the last 10 minutes of the game when Ruth Ingosi headed in off Asha Djafari’s well delivered corner.
Five minutes later, FAD FC surprisingly equalized through Nadia Nour. Buja Queens’ defense failed to clear the ball from the corner and Nadia’s rebound was cleared when it had already crossed the line.
Three minutes later, Buja Queens got a corner kick, brought in the box and Tipster Situma headed in with a powerful header to restore the lead which also turned to a winning goal and her fourth in the tournament.
Now, Buja Queens have joined C.B.E FC as the two teams to advance to the semifinals from group A. C.B.E FC had defeated Yei Joint Stars 4-0 in the early kickoff today to top the group.
The win saw them take the second place with nine points, two above hosts Kampala Queens FC.
BUJA Queens FC and CBE FC therefore join Vihiga Queens FC and JKT Queens FC from Group A as the semifinalists.
JKT Queens from Tanzania topped Group A with nine points and will face BUJA Queens FC while Vihiga Queens FC who settled for second place will take on Group A leaders CBE FC.
The semifinals will see JKT Queens battle with Buja Queens while 2021 winners Vihiga Queens will take on C.B.E FC, a team they beat to win the championship.
The semifinals will be played on Sunday 27th August, 2023 with all games at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The two winners will advance to the finals which will be played on 30th August, 2023 at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru and the winner of the championship will represent CECAFA region in the CAF Women’s Champions League in Ivory Coast in November this year.
