Moment of truth for Kenya Police in fight for place in CAF Champions League

Three-time Kenyan champions, Kenya Police Bullets, have a date with destiny on Monday as they play Ugandan club Kawempe Muslim for a place in Africa’s premier club football tournament, the CAF Women’s Champions League. 

The two teams will clash in the final of Cecafa qualifiers of 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League at Kigali Pele Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, from 5pm (Kenyan time).

The winner of the match will earn the sole ticket reserved for East and Central Africa at the 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League to be held later this year. 

Monday’s final will be preceded by a third place play-off between 2024 champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars from 2pm.

Kenya Police Bullets booked a place in the final after a 5-0 victory over Yei Joint Stars in Saturday’s semi-final match. 

Forwards Tereza Engesha opened the scoring in the 10th minute, before Martha Amunyolette struck twice for Kenya Police Bullets in the 34th and 74th minutes of the match. 

Leading goal scorer

Lorna Nyabuto added the fourth goal in the 55th minute, while substitute Rebecca Okwaro wrapped the big win in the 87th minute.

Amunyolette, who joined Bullets from Vihiga Queens earlier in August, leads the tournament’s scoring charts with five goals from three matches.

Kenya Police Bullets finished top of Group ‘C’ on six points after beating Tanzania’s Simba Queens 2-1 and Burundi’s Top Girls Academy 3-1.

It is the second time Police Bullets are playing in the final of Cecafa qualifiers. On their debut in 2024, they lost 1-0 to CBE in the final and missed out on qualification for the continental competition.

Meanwhile, Kawempe Muslim reached the final following a 3-0 win over CBE in the other semi-final match on Saturday.

Jovia Nakagolo handed the Ugandan side the lead in the 17th minute before CBE defender Tigist Adane scored an own goal in the 54th minute. 
Agnes Nabukenya sealed the victory with the third goal in the 72nd minute.

Speaking ahead of the final, Kenya Police Bullets coach David Vijago praised his players for improving their performance with every match in the tournament.

“The girls have put up a good show. Scoring in every match is a big improvement. We started with two goals, then three and now five, which gives us confidence as we head into the final,” said Vijago.

Maiden Cecafa title

Vijago said his technical bench had prepared every player to be ready for action as they pursue victory in all four matches of the competition. 

However, he admitted that the demanding schedule at the tournament has presented challenges to the teams with regard to recovery after matches.

The teams have barely had 24 hours to rest between matches.

“Recovery ideally requires between 48 and 72 hours, but here we only have about 24 hours. We came here for a battle, so we have to keep fighting until the end,” Vijago said.

He described Kawempe Muslim as “a well-prepared and dangerous side,” noting that they are the only team yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

“They have good players, and they are clearly well prepared. It will be a tough final, but we are prepared well for the match,” added Vijago.

Engesha, who has played a key role in Bullets’ march to the final, expressed confidence that the Kenyan champions would finally lift the regional trophy after falling short two years ago.

“This time the trophy is not going to slip away from us. We are going to win it. The tournament has not been easy, but we worked hard to get here because we came knowing exactly what we wanted,” said Engesha.

Heading into the final, both teams are chasing history as they meet for the very first time, each searching for their maiden Cecafa title.

Caf is yet to announce the host nation and dates for this year’s Caf Women’s Champions League.

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