Kenya Police Bullets defeated Tanzanian giants Simba Queens with a 2-1 win in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers match played at the Kigali Pelé Stadium, on Monday afternoon.
The victory carries a lot of significance as Simba Queens,who lifted the CECAFA title in 2022 to reach the continental stage, previously crossed paths with Kenya Police Bullets during the 2024 CECAFA semi-finals, where the Kenyan side edged out the former champions 3-2 in Addis Ababa.
Police opened the scoring after 16 minutes, Lorna Nyarinda linking up with Tereza Engesha, who threaded a through ball to Faith Mboya to find the back of the net and break the deadlock.
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Simba would equalize in the 69th minute, as Kenyan international Vivian Corazone dragged the ball onto her left foot before laying a low diagonal pass that beat the central defense partnership of Elizabeth Ochaka and Ann Norah to find second-half substitute Senaf Waquma, who tapped home at the far post.
Bullets would regain the lead following a costly defensive error from Simba. A through pass by Margaret Kunihira was miscontrolled by Brice Zanga, with keeper Ruth Aturo miscuing the resultant kick; off-season signing Martha Amunyolete pounced on the loose ball, looping it over the goalkeeper into the empty net on her debut.
Police held on for the remaining ten minutes, and despite a spirited push from Simba,including a stoppage-time penalty appeal for handball,the Tanzanian side could not salvage a point at the Kigali Pelé Stadium in Rwanda.
The 2-1 victory puts Kenya Police Bullets in prime position to advance from Group C, with only the top team from the group guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.
Their sights now set on their final group stage fixture against Burundi’s Top Girls Academy on August 26.
- Kenya Police Bullets Starting XI: Annedy Kundu, Mary Nthambi, Leah Cherotich, Ann Norah, Elizabeth Ochaka, Halima Imbachi, Emily Morang’a, Lydia Akoth, Faith Mboya, Lydia Nyarinda, Margaret Kunihira
- Simba Queens Starting XI: Ruth Aturo, Asha Omari, Fatuma Issa, Brice Zanga, Ruth Ingosi, Elizabeth Joseph, Fasila Adhiambo, Vivian Corazone, Rida Kusamfulla, Mary Siame, Aisha Mnunka