The stage is set for the CECAFA CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Zonal Qualifiers, which kicked off in Addis Ababa’s Abebe Bikila Stadium, Ethiopia.
This much-anticipated tournament, which will run until 29 August, will determine the East African representative for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.
Among the eight teams competing for the coveted spot are Tanzania’s Simba Queens, who are aiming for a repeat of their 2022 success when they clinched the CECAFA title.
The tournament promises thrilling football, as each team vies for supremacy in a bid to represent the region on the continental stage.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The tournament is structured into two groups, with each group comprising four teams. A win in the group stage earns three points, a draw one point, and a loss none. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals. The semi-final winners will then face off in the final, with the victorious team securing a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
The tournament kicked off on 17 August, with matches scheduled at the Abebe Bikila Stadium and Addis Ababa Stadium. Notable fixtures include Simba Queens’ opening match against FAD Djibouti on 19 August and the clash between Kenya Police Bullets and Yei Joint FC of South Sudan on 18 August. The semi-finals are set for 26 August, followed by the third-place match and the final on 29 August.
Participating Teams and Their Profiles
The tournament features a diverse mix of teams, each with a unique history and set of accomplishments. Here’s a closer look at the teams:
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (Ethiopia): The women’s team of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Sports Association, known as CBE SA, is one of the powerhouses in Ethiopian football. The team has won the Ethiopian Championship six times, including three consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024. Despite their domestic success, they have twice fallen short in the CECAFA qualifiers, losing in the finals in 2021 and 2023. CBE SA is determined to overcome these setbacks and secure their place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals this year.
Kenya Police Bullets (Kenya): Formerly known as Thika Queens, Kenya Police Bullets are a formidable force in Kenyan women’s football. The team has claimed four national championships, most recently in 2024. After their acquisition by Kenya Police FC, the Bullets are keen to make a mark in their debut CECAFA tournament under their new identity.
Yei Joint FC (South Sudan): Yei Joint Stars FC, founded in 2019, is one of South Sudan’s leading women’s football clubs. The team won the inaugural South Sudan National Women’s League in 2021 and has continued to dominate domestically. Despite their early exit in previous CECAFA tournaments, Yei Joint FC is determined to advance further this year.
Simba Queens (Tanzania): Simba Queens are among the favorites to win this year’s CECAFA qualifiers. The Tanzanian giants have won the national championship four times, including in 2024. In 2022, they reached the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Champions League, only to be narrowly defeated by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. The Queens are eager to build on that experience and secure another shot at continental glory.
PVP Buyenzi (Burundi): Based in Bujumbura, PVP Buyenzi has twice won the Burundian national championship. The team also claimed the Burundi Cup in 2021. Despite a third-place finish in their group during their last CECAFA appearance, PVP Buyenzi is confident in their ability to challenge for the title this year.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda): Kawempe Muslim LFC, associated with Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, is a dominant force in Ugandan women’s football. The team has won five national championships, including four consecutive titles from 2015 to 2018. After reclaiming the title in 2024, Kawempe Muslim Ladies are focused on translating their domestic success into regional triumph.
FAD Djibouti (Djibouti): Forces Armées Djiboutiennes (FAD) is the most successful women’s football club in Djibouti, with ten consecutive national championships to their name. The team has also won the Djibouti Cup eight times. FAD Djibouti is eager to make an impact on the regional stage and prove their dominance beyond their home country.
Rayon Sport (Rwanda): Rayon Sports WFC is a relatively new team in Rwandan women’s football but has quickly risen to prominence. Founded in 2022, the team won the second division championship in their debut season and followed it up with a top-tier title in 2024. Rayon Sport also claimed the Rwandan Cup, making them a formidable opponent in this year’s CECAFA qualifiers.
Historical Context and Expectations
The CECAFA region has produced strong contenders in the CAF Women’s Champions League since its inception. In 2021, Kenya’s Vihiga Queens made history as the first team from the region to qualify for the finals. This was followed by Simba Queens in 2022 and JKT Queens of Tanzania in 2023. The region’s representatives have consistently performed well, and this year’s qualifiers promise to add another chapter to this growing legacy.
Top scorers like Ethiopia’s Loza Abera, who has dominated the goal-scoring charts in previous editions, and other emerging talents will be looking to make their mark in this year’s tournament. With so much at stake, fans can expect intense competition, with each team giving their all to secure a spot in the prestigious CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
As the tournament progresses, the eyes of the East African football community will be firmly on Addis Ababa, where the next CECAFA champion will be crowned.
