ADDIS ABABA: SIMBA Queens showcased their formidable prowess with a dominant 5-0 victory over FAD Djibouti in the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifier for the CECAFA zone at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa today.
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Asha Mwalala, who delivered a spectacular hat-trick that underscored her exceptional skill and relentless drive.
Mwalala seized the spotlight with a remarkable display of finishing, scoring three goals within just an eight-minute span.
Her first goal came in the 76th minute, followed by another in the 80th, and she completed her hat-trick in the 88th minute. Each goal highlighted her sharp instincts and clinical precision, effectively dismantling the opposition and sealing the victory for Simba Queens.
The match initially faced a delay due to heavy rain, with kickoff pushed from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
Despite the disrupted schedule, Simba Queens quickly established their dominance. Jentrix Shikangwa opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a well-placed volley from a cross by Fatuma Issa.
Elizabeth Wambui doubled the lead just five minutes later, capitalizing on an assist from Vivian Corozane to make it 2-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Simba Queens’ attacking prowess on full display, with Mwalala playing a pivotal role in the team’s offensive surge. Her hat-trick not only solidified the team’s lead but also highlighted her crucial role in Simba’s strategy and attack.
With this emphatic victory, Simba Queens now lead Group B with three points and a superior goal difference.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies follow, having secured a 2-0 win over PVP Buyenzi, who are yet to earn a point. FAD Djibouti, currently at the bottom of the group, will need to regroup after being outplayed by Simba Queens.
The win has set the stage for an exciting campaign for Simba Queens, with their next match against Kawempe Muslim Ladies scheduled for tomorrow. They will conclude their group stage with a match against PVP Buyenzi on Friday.
The top two teams from Group B will advance to the semi-finals, where the winners will compete for a spot in the final stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
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This marks Simba Queens’ third appearance in the CECAFA qualifiers. Their previous participation in 2021 and 2022 saw them emerge victorious in the latter year, earning a spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco.
They advanced to the knockout stage but were narrowly defeated 1-0 by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals.
So far, three clubs from the CECAFA region have qualified for the finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League, including JKT Queens from Tanzania in 2023 and Kenya’s Vihiga Queens in 2021.
The eight teams in the current tournament are divided into two groups, with wins earning three points, draws one point, and losses none.
