In Summary: Kawempe Muslim Ladies announced their arrival on Africa’s biggest club stage with a dramatic 3–2 victory over defending champions AS FAR Rabat, as Agnes Nabukenya scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, to give Uganda’s first-ever representatives at the final tournament a dream start.
Ismailia, Egypt — Kawempe Muslim Ladies made a memorable start to their maiden CAF Women’s Champions League campaign, announcing themselves on Africa’s biggest women’s club stage with a dramatic 3–2 victory over defending champions AS FAR Rabat of Morocco.
The Ugandan side showed remarkable character to come from behind and defeat one of Africa’s most successful women’s clubs, with Agnes Nabukenya scoring twice, including a stoppage-time winner, at the Suez Canal Stadium.
AS FAR looked set for a strong start when Fatima Tagnaout gave the Moroccan side the lead in the sixth minute with a powerful left-footed strike that beat Kawempe goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya.
However, Kawempe returned from the break with renewed energy and turned the match around in a five-minute spell.
Nabukenya brought the Valley Warriors level in the 53rd minute with a low shot from distance that beat the AS FAR goalkeeper and found the bottom-left corner.
Captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa then put Kawempe ahead five minutes later, driving into the penalty area before firing past the goalkeeper at the near post.
AS FAR fought back and restored parity in the 69th minute when Doha El Madani converted a penalty to make it 2–2.
But Kawempe had the final say. With the match heading towards a draw, Latifa Nakasi played Nabukenya through on goal, and the forward calmly finished to secure a famous victory for the Ugandan champions.
The result is particularly significant given AS FAR’s pedigree in the competition. The Moroccan club are two-time champions and the only side to have featured in every edition of the tournament since it began in 2021. They had also reached at least the semi-finals in each of their five previous appearances. Confédération Africaine de Football+1
Kawempe, meanwhile, are making history as the first Ugandan club to qualify for the final tournament, becoming the country’s first representatives at the continental finals.
They secured qualification after winning the CECAFA zonal competition in Kigali, Rwanda, in August 2026, winning all four matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding none. Their qualification campaign included victories over Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Djibouti’s FC Ujeco and Kenya Police Bullets in the final. Confédération Africaine de Football
The victory over AS FAR gives coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s side an important early advantage in Group B, which also features Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies and Mali’s USFAS Bamako.
Kawempe will next face Ampem Darkoa on Thursday, November 5, before concluding their group campaign against USFAS Bamako on Sunday, November 8. Both matches will be played in Ismailia. The top two teams in the group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for November 11. Confédération Africaine de Football
The sixth edition of the competition runs from November 1 to 15, 2026, with eight clubs competing for the continental title at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Beyond the opportunity to make further history, the tournament offers a substantial financial reward. The winners will receive $600,000 (approximately Shs2.2 billion), while the runners-up will earn $400,000 (about Shs1.5 billion). The third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $350,000 and $300,000 respectively. Confédération Africaine de Football
The tournament winner will also secure a place in the second qualifying round of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, where it is scheduled to face North Korean side Naegohyang WFC in December 2026. Confédération Africaine de Football
Kawempe’s participation has received government support through the National Council of Sports, which provided Shs50 million, while FUFA paid air tickets for the 30-member delegation, according to the information provided by the club’s organisers.
The victory over AS FAR has given the Ugandan side a dream start and demonstrated that they can compete against the continent’s established women’s football powerhouses.
AS FAR entered the competition as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition. They also lifted the trophy in 2022, making them one of the tournament’s most established sides.
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