Police Bullets book CAF Champions League CECAFA qualifiers final slot

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL) champions, Kenya Police Bullets FC pipped Tanzanian giants Simba Queens, to secure a spot in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers.

The Kenyan champions beat Simba Queens 3-2 at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, on Monday.

Bullets opened the scoring in the 29th minute through Lucy Kwekwe, before their opponents equalised nine minutes later when Kenyan international Corazone Aquino, beat Police keeper Annette Kundu.

Aquino scored a stunner to put Simba Queens ahead in the 55th minute, before Diana Wacera’s header from a set-piece made it 2-2. The Kenyans sealed the win through Rebecca Okwaro’s superb finish in the 83nd minute, to qualify for the competition’s final, the second Kenyan side to reach that feat, after Vihiga Queens in 2021.

They will meet the winner of the other semi-final, pitting Kawempe Muslim of Uganda and hosts CBE Ethiopia. CBE and Bullets met in the group stage, with the Ethiopians prevailing 2-1.

After the win, Bullets social media admin cheekily stated that the only Simba (Lion) they know is Simba Arati. “Simba tunajua ni Simba Arati.”

Simba Arati is the Kisii governor. He doubles up as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader. The qualifying phase of the fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League began in early August.

Title holders, Mamelodi Sundowns have already qualified for the final phase of the competition where they will be hoping to secure a record third continental title.

Eight teams will compete in the final phase of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League. As reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns will be joined by the tournament hosts as the two automatically qualified.

Each of the CAF Zonal Unions (6) will conduct their own qualifiers, with the winners set to gain qualification to the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Hosts of this year’s edition of CAF Women’s Champions League are yet to be determined.