Burundi’s PVP revitalise semi final hopes, Simba, Lady Doves in stalemate

Burundi representatives PVP raised their hopes of making the semi-final after clinching their first win at the CECAFA Regional Qualifiers for the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League, following their 2-1 victory over Djibouti’s FAD in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Nicole Igilima struck a brace for the Burundians, in between Lerman Sikieh’s goal for FAD to hand the side the three points. FAD Meanwhile have their semi-s hopes completed out after suffering a second defeat.

The game was off to a frantic start with FAD’s Rahma Aden hitting the upright with a well diced shot from inside the box, running in to a through pass from midfield.

On the other end, PVP also hit the woodwork when Allia Sibomana curled a decent freekick on her left foot from distance, beating the keeper but coming off the crossbar. The rebound fell on Safi Roda, but she struck the effort over the bar.

The woodwork sounded again minutes later from another setpiece, this time Teddy Congera curling the ball beyond the wall but her effort was denied by the upright.

The deadlock was finally broken after 22 minutes when PVP turned over possession before Igilima broke into the box, striking a right footed shot against the post and into the net.

The Djiboutian girls responded in sublime fashion when Sikieh struck a superb first time shot from the edge of the area, looping over the keeper and into the net for FAD’s first goal of the tournament.

However, their hopes of fighting for a victory suffered a blow eight minutes after the restart when Igilima completed a brace with a calm and composed finish from inside the box.

Meanwhile in the late kick off, Tanzania’s Simba Queens and Uganda’s Lady Doves played to a 0-0 draw, but the Ugandan champions remained top of the group on goal difference with one round of matches left.