In Summary: Kawempe Muslim Ladies suffered their first defeat at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after losing 2-1 to Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Ismailia, Egypt. Shadia Nabirye cancelled out Nancy Amoh’s early opener, but Beline Nyarko struck six minutes from time to hand the Ghanaian side victory and move them to six points at the top of Group B.
Ismailia, Egypt — Kawempe Muslim Ladies suffered their first defeat at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after losing 2-1 to Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies on Thursday evening at the Suez Canal Stadium.
The Ugandan champions fought back from an early setback to level the contest but conceded a late goal that handed Ampem Darkoa all three points and strengthened their position at the top of Group B.
Ampem Darkoa took the lead in the ninth minute when Nancy Amoh capitalised on a costly error by Kawempe goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya.
Kawempe responded positively and restored parity in the 34th minute through teenager Shadia Nabirye, who tapped the ball into an empty net after Jovia Nakagolo’s cross found her unmarked inside the penalty area.
The two sides continued to battle for the advantage, with Nambuya making several important saves to keep Kawempe in contention.
Coach Ayub Khalifah’s side came close to taking the lead when Nakagolo drove into the penalty area and struck the crossbar, but Shakirah Nyinagahirwa was unable to convert the rebound.
With six minutes left, Beline Nyarko scored the winner for Ampem Darkoa after reacting quickly to a rebound following Nambuya’s initial save.
Agnes Nabukenya nearly rescued a point for Kawempe with a late effort from outside the penalty area, but her shot narrowly missed the target.
The defeat ended Kawempe’s winning start to their maiden appearance at the continental tournament, having opened their campaign with an impressive 3-2 victory over defending champions AS FAR Rabat of Morocco.
Ampem Darkoa take control of Group B
The victory moved Ampem Darkoa to six points from two matches, following their opening 5-1 triumph over Mali’s USFAS Bamako.
The Ghanaian side have now scored seven goals in two matches and are firmly positioned in the race for a semi-final place.
Kawempe, meanwhile, remain on three points after winning one and losing one of their opening two fixtures.
The Ugandan side had made history in their tournament debut by defeating AS FAR, becoming the first East African club to win its opening match at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
However, Thursday’s defeat means they must now regroup quickly ahead of their final group-stage assignment on Sunday, November 8, when they face USFAS Bamako in their final Group B match.
The encounter is scheduled for 3 pm East African Time, with Kawempe needing a victory to strengthen their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
USFAS will also be seeking their first points after losing their opening two matches, including a 6-0 defeat to AS FAR on Thursday. The top two teams from each group of four will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 11.
Kawempe’s campaign therefore remains alive, but their final group match carries significant importance as they seek to secure a place among the continent’s last four.
Group B standings after Thursday’s matches
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Ampem Darkoa | 2 | 6 |
| AS FAR Rabat | 2 | 3 |
| Kawempe Muslim | 2 | 3 |
| USFAS Bamako | 2 | 0 |
Next fixture
Group B · Matchday 3
Sunday, November 8, 2026 3:00pm EAT
Kawempe Muslim vs USFAS Bamako
Kawempe’s remaining group-stage fixture against USFAS Bamako is therefore an important opportunity to recover from the defeat and pursue a place in the knockout rounds.
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