The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has secured a spot in the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League, representing the CECAFA zone.
This marks a significant achievement for the Ethiopian giants, who had previously fallen short in their attempts to qualify for Africa’s premier women’s club competition in 2021 and 2023.
CBE clinched their place in the tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Kenya Police Bullets on Thursday. In a tense match, it was Senaf Wakuma who found the back of the net, scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute.
Wakuma’s strike not only secured the win but also confirmed CBE’s place in the final stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
The victory was a testament to the strength and determination of CBE’s squad, led by key player Aregash Khalsa.
With this qualification, CBE joins other regional champions in the competition, including University of the Western Cape (COSAFA), Tout Puissant Mazembe (UNIFFAC), Aigles de la Médina (UFOA A), Edo Queens (UFOA B), and the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The host country for the fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League will be announced later this year.
Wakuma’s performance throughout the qualifiers was instrumental, earning her the top scorer title with six goals. This achievement underscores her vital role in CBE’s success and places her among the top players to watch in the upcoming tournament.
CBE’s qualification is a milestone for the club, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. The team has a rich history, having won its first Ethiopian championship titles in 2014 and 2015.
After a period dominated by other clubs like Dedebit FC and Adama City, CBE made a strong comeback by signing Ethiopian star Loza Abera in 2020, which led them to reclaim the national championship that year.
Despite setbacks in previous years, the club has demonstrated resilience and consistency, winning the Ethiopian championship in 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2024.
In addition to their domestic success, CBE has performed strongly in regional competitions. They were finalists in the CECAFA qualifying tournament in 2021 and 2023 but fell short against Kenya’s Vihiga Queens and Tanzania’s JKT Queens, respectively.
Their 2024 CECAFA tournament victory marks a significant turning point, allowing them to finally take part in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
As the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League approaches, CBE’s participation signals a bright future for women’s football in Ethiopia and sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament.
