Kawempe Muslim Face Must-Win Test Against USFAS Bamako in CAF Women’s Champions League Campaign
By Kayiira Jackson
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC will be targeting a crucial victory when they take on Mali’s USFAS Bamako on Sunday at 3:00 PM East African Time (EAT), with their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League hanging in the balance.
The Ugandan champions head into the Matchday Three encounter knowing that anything less than maximum points could jeopardise their chances of progressing to the knockout stage, following their narrow 2-1 defeat to Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa in their previous group fixture.
Kawempe currently occupy second position in the group with three points, ahead of third-placed AS FAR of Morocco on head-to-head advantage after defeating the defending champions earlier in the competition.
However, the race for the remaining semi-final places has become more complicated following AS FAR’s emphatic response to their opening-match setback. The Moroccan giants bounced back in style with a commanding 6-0 victory over USFAS Bamako on Thursday, registering their first win of the campaign and keeping their qualification hopes alive.
The result has increased the pressure on Kawempe, who must now secure a convincing win against the Malian champions while hoping for a favourable outcome in the other group fixture between Ampem Darkoa and AS FAR.
Speaking after the team’s final training session, head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi described Sunday’s encounter as a must-win, while cautioning his players against underestimating their opponents despite Bamako’s two defeats.
“It is a must-win game for us. We are playing Bamako, who have lost two of their matches, but that does not guarantee that they are a weak team. They are champions of their country. What we want is to win this game, and it will be to our advantage if we win by a margin of five goals and above,” Kiyingi said.
The coach’s remarks underline the importance of not only collecting three points but also improving Kawempe’s goal difference as the group reaches its decisive stage.
Midfielder Krusum Namutebi also expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, insisting that the players are determined to deliver when it matters most.
“We are going into a game that we believe is a must-win for us to reach the knockout stage. As players, we are ready for this game, and we promise our fans that we are going to make it,” Namutebi said.
For Kawempe, Sunday’s fixture presents an opportunity to keep their historic continental journey alive and demonstrate their ability to compete against some of Africa’s finest women’s clubs.
With AS FAR also fighting to defend their title and Ampem Darkoa seeking to maintain their position at the top, the final group-stage matches promise a tense finish.
The Ugandan champions must now turn their determination into goals and results, knowing that their semi-final dream could depend on both their performance against USFAS Bamako and the outcome of the other Group fixture.