CBE coach Birhanu tips team to win Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifier
The head coach of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Heye Gizaw Birhanu has said his team has what it takes to win the CECAFA Zonal qualifier of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Ethiopian Women’s League champions recorded their second win 5-1 against FOFILA PF of Burundi in a Group A match played on Thursday at the Azam Complex, Chamazi in Tanzania.
Team captain Geinore Loza Abera netted her second hattrick in the tournament to send her tally to eight.
Medina Awol Busser and Mekonnen Gertenet Nardos also scored for CBE, while Charlotte Irankunda scored for FOFILA PF. Messay Temsegen Tanga was sent-off for Commercial Bank of Ethiopia after a second bookable offence.
The win guaranteed CBE a place in the semi final after they kick started their campaign with a convincing 9-0 win against Warriors Queens FC (Zanzibar).
Birhanu has made it clear that his team is in better shape to win the Zonal trophy this time and qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.
“After losing in the final last year in Nairobi, we have worked hard and have a better balanced team that is capable of winning this trophy. We are more determined to win the trophy this time and my players know what I expect of them,” added Birhanu.
The CBE head coach made it clear that he is not surprised by the high scoring form of his team because they are in good form and the team chemistry is excellent.
“We completed our League a few weeks ago and my players are still in good shape and prepared to prove a point this time,” added the confident coach.
While CBE have already qualified for the semi finals to join Simba Queens FC (Tanzania) AS Kigali WFC also booked a place in the knockout stage on Thursday with a second straight win in Group A. The Rwanda team defeated Warriors Queens FC (Zanzibar) 3-0 with Zawadi Usanase scoring a hattrick.
On Saturday two Group B matches will take place with Yei Joint Stars facing Simba Queens FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, while GRFC battle Uganda’s She Corporate FC at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.
The last Group A matches will be played on Sunday, while the semi finals take place on August 24th. The Zonal qualifier will climax with the final and play-off on August 27th.