The 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers will be the third edition and it works as the pathway for CECAFA regional teams to the final tournament of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
This edition will be played between 12th-30th August, 2023 at two venues; the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru will host group A while group B will be played at MTN-Omondi Stadium.
All the Knock out stages will be played at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
Here are the reasons why Kampala Queens FC are favorites to become the first ever Ugandan team to win the title.
Smart Recruitment
Having won the FUFA Women Super League title last season, the Queens of soccer have made big signings ahead of their maiden CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers.
Forwards
Kampala Queens FC made proven goal scorer Fazila Ikwaput their first signing.
The forward played the first edition of the Zonal Qualifiers with Lady Doves and netted five goals in the tournament.
The 2022/23 FUFA Women Super League MVP and top scorer Shakirah Nyinagahirwa also joined from Kawempe Muslim LFC.
The teenager scored 12 goals and assisted 7 times in 18 league games last season and she has previously been a starter on the senior national team, the Crested Cranes.
Catherine Nagadya who managed 7 goals and 12 assists in 16 league games, and was the MVP in the FUFA Women’s Cup after winning the title, joined from Uganda Martyrs WFC.
Florence Imanizabayo crossed from Rayon Sports WFC. Imanizabayo scored an astonishing 68 goals last season and is expected to make more wonders in Queens Squad.
Midfielders and Defenders
With all the forwards at the team, Kampala Queens also added creative midfielder Hadijah Nandago from Kawempe Musilm Ladies FC.
The dynamite player scored 8 goals and made 6 assists last season.
The team also added three more defenders to bolster the defense; Samalie Nakacwa from Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Esther Namusoke and Patience Nabulobi from Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC.
Florence Imanizabayo stretches Esther Namusoke
Ahead of the tournament, Kampala Queens FC have competed the signing of a total of 8 vital players, who are expected to give their best, and win games for the team.
Technical Team
It’s rare to win a big tournament in football without an experienced and knowledgeable technical team.
Kampala Queens FC have Charles Ssenyange as the head coach. He will be assisted by Tonny Mawejje, and Shafic Mutebi as the first and second assistants respectively.
Ssenyange adds experience to the team having coached big men’s clubs both locally and internationally while Tonny Mawejje’s experience as a former player will also be valuable.
Charles Ssenyange
Second asistant coach Shafic Mutebi, will be coaching Kampala Queens FC for the second time, having been the assistant to Isma Mukiibi during the 2020/21 season.
Among the technical team, Kampala Queens have goalkeeping coach Sowedi Kawooya, a very experienced albeit uncelebrated coach known for scouting and developing talents.
Cissy Nakiguba who works as the team manager, is a former Kampala Queens player.
Typically, especially in women football, teams have a head coach and one assistant, but Kampala Queens FC have enough and right people to lead the team.
Experience and Squad depth
With over 30 players at the team, Kampala Queens FC have at least three players for every position and this will help coaches to have enough options and also to rotate the squad.
The experience of some key players provides a strong foundation to build a title winning team.
Fazila Ikwaput, Daisy Nakaziro and Elizabeth Nakigozi played the first edition of CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers for Lady Doves. Daisy Nakaziro was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Players such as Hasifah Nassuna, who captained Crested Cranes to win their maiden CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship last year, playmaker Shamirah Nalugya, defender Sumaya Komuntale and others, have all played at the continental level before.
The X-Factor
Kampala Queens FC have the most dangerous forwards in the tournament and most of them are proven players.
On the left and right flanks, they boost of Margret Kunihira who has been outstanding for the past four years, the deadly Catherine Nagadya, pacy Zaina Nandede and the sweet left foot of Elizabeth Nakigozi.
Shakirah Nyinagahirwa can also be deployed on both flanks and she played the same role last season.
In the centre forward position, Fazila Ikwaput will battle with new signing Florence Imanizabayo and Grace Aluka, who has a point to prove. Sophia Nakiyingi is also in the image of the team.
Supportive Leadership
The team is owned by FUFA President Eng. Hon. Moses Hashim Magogo and he has been supportive especially during the last two seasons providing almost everything a top club needs.
Yesterday, Rt.Hon Speaker of the Parliament Anita Among boosted the camp with Ten Million Shillings ahead of the Zonal Qualifiers.
Under CEO Meddy Ssengendo, the club runs in very organized way, having over 9 professional staff.
To win such a big tournament also requires organization off the pitch and Kampala Queens FC seem to have done precisely that.
Home Advantage
Since Uganda will host this year’s tournament, Kampala Queens will have all the support from their home fans. Familiarity with the weather and venues will also favor them.
It should be noted that the hosts for the first two editions, went on to win the title.
In 2021, the championship was held in Kenya and Vihiga Queens lifted it before Simba Queens winning the last edition in Tanzania.
Vihiga Queens players ahead of the tournament
Maybe it’s a ‘host and win’ God’s favor? Also, ironically every team that has won the title has ‘Queens’ in the team name.
The Queens of Soccer are in group A alongside CBE FC (Ethiopia) Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan) FAD FC (Djibouti) and Bujja Queens from Burundi.
They’ll open their campaign tomorrow against Yei Joint Stars at 4pm, at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
About the CAF Women’s Champions League
The CAF Women’s Champions League is the premier club competition in Africa for women’s football and will be played between 5th-19th November, 2023 in Ivory Coast.
In the last campaign, East Africa was represented by Tanzanian giants Simba Queens FC who were eliminated at the semifinals stage.
Last year’s edition was hosted in Morocco and won by ASFAR from Morocco who defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the finals.
ASFAR
The South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns lifted the inaugural title back in 2021 in Egypt.
The winner of this year’s tournament will pocket USD 400,000.
Courtesy Photos
