It is Vihiga Queens vs CBE in CECAFA Regional qualifiers final

Kenya’s representatives Vihiga Queens will come up against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the final of the CECAFA Regional Qualifiers for the inaugural edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League in Nairobi on Thursday.

This will be a re-match of when the two teams faces each other in the group stages, the Ethiopians coming out top with a 4-2 victory.

Vihiga Queens progressed after seeing off Tanzania’s Simba Queens while the Ethiopian girls booked a spot in the final off a 5-3 post-match penalties victory over Ugandan champions Lady Doves.

In the earlier kick off, Vihiga were hosted to the final courtesy of an 88th minute winner scored by red hot forward Gentrix Shikangwa. The pint-sized 18-year old forward powered home a header at the backpost rising highest inside the box to nod home a freekick from Alice Muderi.

After a goalless first half, Maurine Achieng had broken the deadlock scoring the opener for Vihiga in the 63rd minute when she headed home from close range after the Simba Queens keeper failed to hold on to the ball as she came out for a corner.

Simba however drew level just seven minutes later when Aisha Mnunka tapped home from close range. A deep freekick drew the Vihiga keeper off her line and Opa Clement who was at the backpost simply tapped it to Mnunka’s path to send the ball home.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopians mustered the spot kicks, beating the Ugandan girls after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. CBE scored all their penalties through Loza Abera, Aregash Kalsa, Tarikwa Yakura, Adisu Asfaw and Tadesse Aymeku.

The Ugandan girls scored the first two through Norah Alupo and Jowelia Nagadya. Sarah Nakuya placed her penalty wide to give CBE the advantage.

Despite Fazila Ikwaput scoring the fourth for the Ugandans, keeper Daisy Nakaziro could not save Ethiopia’s final kick scored by Aymeku and the Ethiopians carried the day.

In regulation time, Lady Doves had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw at full time.

CBE star player Abera put her side in the lead after eight minutes with a powerful finish inside the box after playing a quick interchange of passes with Medina Awol.

But the Ugandans piled the pressure in the second half and they were rewarded in the 62nd minute when Ikwaput scored a superb freekick to tie the game.

Thursday’s final will be attended by FIFA’s Secretary General Fatma Samoura and Sarai Bareman who is the Chief Women's Football Officer at FIFA.