CAF Women’s Champions League (Group B)
Kawempe Muslim Ladies 3:0 USFAS Bamako
Goals: Agnes Nabukenya (23′, 71′), Jovia Nakagolo (40′)
Ismailia, Egypt — Kawempe Muslim Ladies have made history by qualifying for the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League on their debut after thrashing Mali’s USFAS Bamako 3-0 in their final Group B match on Sunday.
Agnes Nabukenya scored twice, while Jovia Nakagolo added another goal as the Ugandan side delivered a commanding performance at Ismailia Stadium to secure a place among Africa’s final four.
The victory took Kawempe to six points from three matches, finishing second in Group B behind defending champions AS FAR Rabat, who also collected six points but topped the group on head-to-head results. Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa finished third after also collecting six points.
Kawempe will now face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals on Wednesday, November 11, in a showdown that will determine whether the Ugandan side can move one step closer to the continental title.
The achievement is particularly significant for the CECAFA Zonal champions, who are making their first appearance at the continental competition.
“We are very happy that on our first attempt in the tournament we have made it through to the knock-out stage. We now need to focus on the next stage,” coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi said.
Kawempe took control of Sunday’s encounter when Nabukenya opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Nakagolo doubled the advantage in the 40th minute, sending the Ugandan side into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Nabukenya returned after the interval to complete her brace in the 71st minute, sealing a convincing victory and confirming Kawempe’s historic qualification.
The Ugandan side had opened its campaign with a memorable 3-2 victory over defending champions AS FAR before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ampem Darkoa in the second match.
They needed a positive result against USFAS to keep their semi-final ambitions alive and responded with their biggest win of the group campaign.
In the other Group B fixture, AS FAR defeated Ampem Darkoa 2-0 to finish top of the group. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak broke the deadlock in the 59th minute before Youssoufi added a second in stoppage time.
Kawempe assured of at least $300,000
Beyond the sporting achievement, qualification for the semi-finals also guarantees Kawempe a significant financial reward.
According to CAF’s published prize-money structure for the 2026 competition, the fourth-placed team will receive $300,000, while the third-placed side earns $350,000. The runners-up are entitled to $400,000, with the champions taking home $600,000.
This means Kawempe are assured of at least $300,000, regardless of the outcome of their remaining matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns await
Kawempe now face a major test against Mamelodi Sundowns, two-time winners of the competition, in Wednesday’s semi-final.
In the other last-four encounter, AS FAR Rabat will take on Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles.
The semi-finals will be played on November 11, with the third-place play-off scheduled for November 14 before the tournament concludes with the final on November 15.
For Kawempe, the immediate task is to maintain the confidence and attacking momentum that carried them through the group stage as they pursue an even bigger milestone, reaching the final of Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
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