CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers: JKT Triumph as Kampala Queens Get a Second Regional Disappointment

By: Haba Plan 

JKT Queens will represent CECAFA zone in the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament after a 1-0 victory over Rwanda’s Rayon Sport Women’s FC. The decisive match, held on Tuesday evening, September 16, 2025, at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

The match’s only goal came early in the first half, only 6 minutes into the game, courtesy of Winfrida Gerald. Her early strike sealed the win for JKT Queens, who outplayed their Kigali-based opponents.

This victory not only secured their qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League but also marked a significant achievement for the Tanzanian side.

This marks the second consecutive appearance for JKT Queens in the CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament. Their first appearance came in 2023 after winning the regional trophy in Uganda, which earned them initial qualification. With this latest triumph, they aim to build on their previous success and challenge the continent’s best.

Preparing for the Final Tournament

As the final tournament approaches, JKT Queens will need to quickly regroup and prepare. Time is limited, but the team will be focused on fine-tuning their squad and strategy, with the goal of putting up a strong challenge and perhaps even claiming the prestigious title. For starters, this year’s championship shall be hosted in Tanzania in November.

Rayon Sport’s Progress Despite Defeat

While Rayon Sport’s defeat means they won’t advance to the final, their strong performance in the tournament debut was commendable. Their efforts throughout the competition represent significant progress for women’s football in Rwanda. This achievement is expected to inspire continued growth in the sport within the country.

Kampala Queens’ Campaign Ends in Disappointment

Kampala Queens’ Hopes Dashed by Defeat to Kenya Bullets

Kampala Queens, representing Uganda, saw their hopes of advancing dashed after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Kenya Bullets on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Kasarani Stadium. This loss followed a penalty shootout defeat to Rayon Sport and meant they missed out on a spot in the final tournament.

Magret Kunihira’s Stunning Long-Range Strike Ends Medal Hopes

The match that could have secured third place for Kampala Queens saw Kenya Bullets’ Magret Kunihira — a former Kampala Queens player — score a brilliant long-range shot that caught goalkeeper Gloria Namakula off-guard. Kunihira’s strike handed Kenya Bullets the lead and eventually the victory, ending Kampala Queens’ medal dreams.

Kampala Queens’ Struggles Throughout the Tournament

Kampala Queens had a challenging campaign from the outset. After a disappointing loss to Kenya Police in their opening match, the team had hoped to rebound and secure at least a bronze medal. However, their efforts fell short, leaving them empty-handed at the tournament’s conclusion.

Looking Ahead: Fufa Women’s Super League

Despite their setbacks in Nairobi, Kampala Queens will now shift their focus to the 2025-2026 season of the Fufa Women’s Super League. The team will aim to regroup, refocus, and build on the lessons learned from this challenging tournament as they look ahead to domestic competition.