By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
The knockout stage of the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers featured four teams that emerged from the group stage battle: JKT Queens FC (Tanzania), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC, Buja Queens (Burundi), and Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya).
The semi-finals produced exciting encounters, with JKT Queens and CBE FC securing places in the final, while Buja Queens and Vihiga Queens competed for the bronze medal.
The tournament concluded with Tanzania’s JKT Queens FC making history by winning their first CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers title after defeating Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC in a penalty shootout.
Semi-Finals
27 August 2023
JKT Queens FC (Tanzania) 3–1 Buja Queens (Burundi)
Venue: FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, Uganda
JKT Queens produced a strong second-half performance to defeat Burundi’s Buja Queens and reach their first regional final.
Goals:
JKT Queens FC
Minja 63’
Stumai Abdallah Athumani 77’
Winifrida Gerald 90+4’
Buja Queens
Topister Situma 11’
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC 2–1 Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya)
Venue: FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, Uganda
CBE FC secured a dramatic victory over former champions Vihiga Queens in a closely contested semi-final.
Goals:
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
Loza Abera 90+4’
Aregash Tadesse 90+5’
Vihiga Queens FC
Bertha Omita 53’
Third Place Match
30 August 2023
Buja Queens (Burundi) 1–0 Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya)
Venue: FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, Uganda
Buja Queens completed their impressive debut campaign by winning the bronze medal after defeating Kenya’s Vihiga Queens.
Goal:
Lydia Akoth 40’
Final
30 August 2023
JKT Queens FC (Tanzania) 0–0 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
After Extra Time
Penalty Shootout: JKT Queens win 5–4
Venue: FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, Uganda
The final was a tightly contested encounter between Tanzania’s JKT Queens and Ethiopian giants Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock during 90 minutes or extra time, forcing the championship to be decided through penalties.
JKT Queens held their nerve from the spot to win 5–4 on penalties, securing their first-ever CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers crown.
Penalty Shootout
JKT Queens FC
✅ Ester Mabanza Gindulya
✅ Donisia Daniel Minja
✅ Winifrida Gerald
✅ Anastazia Antony Katunzi
✅ Happyness Hezron Mwaipaja
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC
✅ Donisia Daniel Minja
✅ Winifrida Gerald
✅ Anastazia Antony Katunzi
✅ Happyness Hezron Mwaipaja
❌ Mesay Temesgen Bizuneh
Final Positions
Position Team Country
🏆 Champions JKT Queens FC Tanzania
🥈 Runners-up Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC Ethiopia
🥉 Third Place Buja Queens Burundi
4th Place Vihiga Queens FC Kenya
Individual Awards
⭐ Best Player of the Tournament
Stumai Abdallah Athumani
🇹🇿 Tanzania — JKT Queens FC
Athumani played a key role in JKT Queens’ successful campaign and was recognised as the tournament’s outstanding player.
⚽ Top Scorer
Fazila Ikwaput
🇺🇬 Uganda — Kampala Queens FC
Goals: 8
The Ugandan forward finished as the leading scorer despite Kampala Queens not reaching the knockout stage.
🧤 Best Goalkeeper
Najiat Abass Idrisa
🇹🇿 Tanzania — JKT Queens FC
🏅 Fair Play Award
Kampala Queens FC
🇺🇬 Uganda
Tournament Statistics
Matches Played: 20
Goals Scored: 55
Average Goals Per Match: 2.75
The 2023 edition recorded fewer goals compared to previous editions but produced a highly competitive tournament, with several matches decided by narrow margins.
Top Goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Fazila Ikwaput Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) 8
2 Loza Abera CBE FC (Ethiopia) 5
3 Topister Situma Buja Queens (Burundi) 3
3 Ariet Odong Ojho CBE FC (Ethiopia) 3
3 Aregash Tadesse CBE FC (Ethiopia) 3
6 Birra Etsegenet Bizuneh CBE FC 2
6 Elizabeth Nakigozi Kampala Queens FC 2
6 Donisia Daniel Minja JKT Queens FC 2
6 Bertha Omita Vihiga Queens FC 2
Yei Joint Stars FC’s 2023 Campaign 🇸🇸
South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC completed their third consecutive appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
Although the club exited during the group stage, their participation continued to strengthen South Sudan’s presence in regional women’s football.
The club’s appearances in 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed consistent representation at the CECAFA level and provided valuable international exposure for South Sudanese players.
Conclusion
The 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers ended with JKT Queens FC becoming champions for the first time, earning the region’s ticket to the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League in Côte d’Ivoire.
The tournament highlighted the continued growth of women’s club football in East and Central Africa, with new contenders emerging and established clubs continuing to compete for continental recognition.
All statistics correct as of 30 August 2023.
