CBE’s Abera Loza motivated by top scorer’s Award in CECAFA Zonal qualifier

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s Geinore Abera Loza has said winning the top scorer’s Award at the just concluded CECAFA Zonal qualifier for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League has highly motivated her.

The 24-year old Loza netted a record 13 goals to help the CBE FC team finish second in the tournament that ended on September 9th in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking to CAF after the final, Loza said coming out as the top scorer in the regional tournament that attracted eight clubs has re-energized her.

“This has been a very difficult year with all challenges caused by COVID-19 and of course less football played since last year. To come for this tournament and lead the team as the captain and also score the highest number of goals has motivated me,” said Loza.

“Although we did not win the trophy and qualify for the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League, I am happy and proud of my young team that worked hard and reached this far. This is a sign of greater things to come not only from CBE, but women’s football in Ethiopia,” she added.

She made it clear that scoring 13 goals has given her more confidence that she feels she must achieve more as a player. “I think I am ready again to return to professional football if the opportunity comes up,” added the former professional player in Malta.

She thanked CAF for finally introducing the Champions League for women because it will give the best women players in Africa a chance to play more competitive football, get exposed and also easily attract the scouts to identify talent.

A total of 85 goals were scored at the CECAFA zonal qualifier which attracted eight teams.

Besides Loza who won the top scorers’s Award, Uganda’s Lady Doves FC had Daisy Nakaziro voted best goalkeeper, while Jentrix Shikangwa Milimu who helped Vihiga Queens FC of Kenya emerge champions was voted best player of the tournament.