By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
The group stage of the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers featured nine clubs divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
South Sudan champions Yei Joint Stars FC were drawn in Group A alongside tournament hosts Kampala Queens FC (Uganda), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC, FAD Club (Djibouti) and Buja Queens (Burundi).
Yei Joint Stars entered the tournament aiming to improve their previous performances after exiting at the group stage in both the 2021 and 2022 editions.
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Group A Standings
Position Team Played Won Draw Lost GF GA GD Points Qualification
1 Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) — — — — — — — — Semi-finals
2 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC — — — — — — — — Semi-finals
3 Buja Queens (Burundi) — — — — — — — — Eliminated
4 Yei Joint Stars FC (South Sudan) — — — — — — — — Eliminated
5 FAD Club (Djibouti) — — — — — — — — Eliminated
(Official standings were determined after completion of group matches.)
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Yei Joint Stars FC 🇸🇸 Group Stage Campaign
South Sudan’s representatives faced another challenging group stage, competing against some of the region’s most established women’s clubs.
The campaign provided valuable international exposure for the young South Sudanese side as they continued their development on the CECAFA stage.
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Match Results
Yei Joint Stars FC vs Kampala Queens FC
Date: August 2023
Venue: Kampala, Uganda
The South Sudan champions faced hosts Kampala Queens FC in one of their opening group matches.
Kampala Queens, who were making their debut in the competition, produced a strong home performance during the group stage.
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Yei Joint Stars FC vs Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Date: August 2023
Venue: Kampala, Uganda
Yei Joint Stars went up against Ethiopian giants Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC, a side that had already reached the final of the competition in 2021.
CBE’s experience at regional level proved important as they progressed to the knockout stage.
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Yei Joint Stars FC vs Buja Queens (Burundi)
Date: August 2023
Venue: Kampala, Uganda
The South Sudanese champions also faced debutants Buja Queens, who produced an impressive tournament and later reached the knockout stage.
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Yei Joint Stars FC vs FAD Club (Djibouti)
Date: August 2023
Venue: Kampala, Uganda
Yei Joint Stars completed their group stage matches against Djibouti’s FAD Club.
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Group B Standings
Group B consisted of four teams:
JKT Queens FC (Tanzania)
Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya)
AS Kigali WFC (Rwanda)
New Generation FC (Zanzibar)
The group produced a competitive battle, with JKT Queens and Vihiga Queens advancing to the knockout stage.
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Selected Group B Results
Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya) 0–1 JKT Queens FC (Tanzania)
Venue: FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru
Goal:
Ruth Khasokha 48’ (Own Goal)
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AS Kigali WFC (Rwanda) 2–0 New Generation FC (Zanzibar)
Venue: Omondi Stadium Lugogo
Goals:
Libelle Nibagwire 52’
Dorothee Mukeshimana 72’
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Group Stage Highlights
Uganda’s Kampala Queens impressed on home soil during their debut appearance.
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC continued their strong regional record after reaching the final in 2021.
Buja Queens made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first appearance.
JKT Queens announced themselves as strong contenders in their debut campaign.
Yei Joint Stars FC gained further continental experience in their third consecutive appearance.
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Yei Joint Stars FC Legacy 🇸🇸
Although Yei Joint Stars FC did not progress beyond the group stage, their third straight appearance demonstrated South Sudan’s growing participation in women’s club football at the regional level.
The club’s continued involvement in the CECAFA qualifiers has provided important opportunities for players to compete against top clubs from East Africa and develop experience on the continental stage.
