By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
The knockout stage of the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers brought together the best-performing clubs from the group stage, with four teams competing for the regional title and the single qualification ticket to the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament.
Defending champions JKT Queens FC of Tanzania continued their dominance, overcoming Kenya Police Bullets in the semi-final before defeating Rwanda’s Rayon Sports Women in the final to win their second CECAFA title.
Semi-Finals
14 September 2025
Rayon Sports Women (Rwanda) 0–0 Kampala Queens FC (Uganda)
Rayon Sports win 4–3 on penalties
Venue: Ulinzi Complex, Nairobi, Kenya
The first semi-final was a tightly contested encounter between Rwanda’s Rayon Sports Women and Uganda’s Kampala Queens.
After 90 minutes and extra time ended without goals, the match went to penalties, where Rayon Sports held their nerve to secure a place in the final.
Penalty Shootout:
Rayon Sports Women: 4
Kampala Queens: 3
Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya) 1–1 JKT Queens FC (Tanzania)
JKT Queens win 4–2 on penalties
Venue: Ulinzi Complex, Nairobi, Kenya
The second semi-final saw hosts Kenya Police Bullets face defending champions JKT Queens.
Kenya Police Bullets took the lead, but JKT Queens responded before winning the penalty shootout to reach their second consecutive final.
Goals:
Kenya Police Bullets
Margaret Kunhira 16’
JKT Queens
Jamila Rajab 38’
Penalty Shootout:
JKT Queens: 4
Kenya Police Bullets: 2
Third Place Match
16 September 2025
Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) 0–1 Kenya Police Bullets FC (Kenya)
Venue: Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi
Kenya Police Bullets completed their impressive campaign by defeating Kampala Queens to claim the bronze medal.
Goal:
⚽ Margaret Kunhira 26’
Final
16 September 2025
Rayon Sports Women (Rwanda) 0–1 JKT Queens FC (Tanzania)
Venue: Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya
The final brought together Rwanda’s Rayon Sports Women and defending champions JKT Queens FC.
JKT Queens made the perfect start, scoring early and holding onto their advantage to secure back-to-back CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers titles.
Goal:
⚽ Winifrida Gerald 5’
The victory gave JKT Queens their second regional championship, following their first title in 2023.
Final Positions
Position Team Country
🏆 Champions JKT Queens FC Tanzania
🥈 Runners-up Rayon Sports Women Rwanda
🥉 Third Place Kenya Police Bullets FC Kenya
4th Place Kampala Queens FC Uganda
Individual Awards
⭐ Best Player of the Tournament
Donisia Daniel Minja
🇹🇿 JKT Queens FC
Minja was recognised for her outstanding performances throughout the tournament, helping JKT Queens successfully defend their regional crown.
⚽ Top Scorer
Jamila Rajab
🇹🇿 JKT Queens FC
Goals: 5
Rajab finished as the leading scorer after producing a decisive attacking contribution for the champions.
🧤 Best Goalkeeper
Najiat Idrissa
🇹🇿 JKT Queens FC
The Tanzanian goalkeeper played a key role in JKT Queens’ defensive success.
🏅 Fair Play Award
JKT Queens FC
🇹🇿 Tanzania
Tournament Statistics
Matches Played: 13
Goals Scored: 30
Average Goals Per Match: 2.31
The 2025 edition recorded fewer matches and goals compared to previous editions due to the new three-group format, but it produced competitive encounters, including several knockout matches decided through penalty shootouts.
Top Goalscorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Jamila Rajab JKT Queens FC (Tanzania) 5
2 Kamiyati Naigaga Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) 2
2 Tourist Lema Tone Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) 2
2 Peace Muduwa Kampala Queens FC (Uganda) 2
2 Emily Kemunto Kenya Police Bullets FC 2
2 Winfrida Mathias JKU Princess FC (Zanzibar) 2
2 Winifrida Gerald JKT Queens FC 2
2 Margaret Kunhira Kenya Police Bullets FC 2
Yei Joint Stars FC 🇸🇸: Five-Year Regional Journey
South Sudan champions Yei Joint Stars FC completed a historic fifth consecutive appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers.
Their regional record:
Year Performance
2021 Group Stage
2022 Group Stage
2023 Group Stage
2024 Group Stage
2025 Group Stage
In the 2025 edition, Yei Joint Stars competed in Group C against JKT Queens and JKU Princess.
They recorded:
Yei Joint Stars FC 4–2 JKU Princess
Goals:
Grace Aluka 34’
Immaculate Ambayo 81’
Mariam Luis Lasuba 83’
Own Goal 90+1’
JKT Queens FC 2–0 Yei Joint Stars FC
Goals:
Jamila Rajab 60’
Ester Maseke Marwa 68’
Despite missing qualification, Yei Joint Stars finished second in their group and were ranked among the best runners-up, highlighting their continued competitiveness at regional level.
Conclusion
The 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers ended with JKT Queens FC becoming the first club to win the competition twice, adding another regional title after their 2023 triumph.
Their victory confirmed Tanzania’s strong presence in women’s club football, while Rayon Sports Women, Kenya Police Bullets and Kampala Queens also delivered impressive campaigns.
For South Sudan, Yei Joint Stars FC’s fifth consecutive appearance marked another milestone in the growth and development of women’s football in the country.
All statistics correct as of 16 September 2025.
