In Summary: Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies are set for a demanding maiden CAF Women’s Champions League campaign, opening against two-time champions AS FAR Rabat before facing Mali’s USFAS Bamako and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Group B.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies face a demanding test in their maiden CAF Women’s Champions League campaign, having been drawn against Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat, Mali’s USFAS Bamako and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Group B.
The Ugandan champions begin their campaign against defending champions AS FAR on Monday at 5pm (EAT) at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, in what promises to be a difficult opening assignment.
AS FAR are two-time winners of the competition, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2025. The Moroccan side also boasts valuable international experience, having competed in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, where they beat China’s Wuhan Jiangda 2-1 before losing to Arsenal and NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Forward Sanaâ Mssoudy will be one of the players to watch. She made history in 2022 by scoring the first hat-trick in a CAF Women’s Champions League final.
Kawempe will need a disciplined performance against the Moroccan giants as they seek a positive start and an opportunity to collect points in their first appearance at the continental tournament.
Their second Group B assignment will be against Mali’s USFAS Bamako on Thursday at 8pm, before they conclude the group stage against Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies on Sunday at 5pm.
Kawempe’s Group B fixtures
- Monday: Kawempe Muslim Ladies vs AS FAR Rabat, 5pm
- Thursday: Kawempe Muslim Ladies vs USFAS Bamako, 8pm
- Sunday: Ampem Darkoa Ladies vs Kawempe Muslim Ladies, 5pm
Kawempe qualified for the tournament after winning the CECAFA zonal qualifiers in Rwanda in August, beating Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in the final.
Coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s side has been preparing for the continental challenge with an 18-player squad comprising two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and six forwards.
Agnes Nabukenya is expected to lead the attack after scoring 10 goals in the 2025/26 FUFA Women Super League and four goals in four matches during the CECAFA qualifiers, where she was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Jovia Nakagolo, who scored seven goals in the domestic league and three during the zonal qualifiers, provides another attacking option, while Shakirah Nyinagahirwa is expected to play an important role in midfield.
Kawempe are the first Ugandan club to reach the final stage of the competition, which features eight teams and runs until November 15 in Cairo and Ismailia.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for November 11. The third-place playoff will be held on November 14, while the final is set for November 15.
Beyond continental recognition, the competition offers a substantial financial incentive. The winners will take home $600,000, runners-up $400,000, third place $350,000 and fourth place $300,000. Teams finishing third and fourth in their respective groups will receive $200,000 and $150,000 respectively.
Kawempe’s participation has received Government support through the National Council of Sports, which provided Shs50 million, while FUFA paid the air tickets for the 30-member delegation.
The tournament also offers a pathway to the expanded international club stage, with the winners set to qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. They are scheduled to face North Korean side Naegohyang WFC in December, with the final phase taking place in Miami, United States, from January 27 to 31, 2027.
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