- Simba Queens thrashed AS Kigali 5-1
- She Corporate stunned CBE 2-1
- The final will be played on Saturday
Tanzania’s Simba Queens will take on Uganda’s She Corporate in the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers for the second edition of the CAF Champions League in Dar es Salaam on Saturday after both won their semi-final fixtures last night.
Kenyan international Corazone Aquino scored twice as Simba Queens ran riot, thrashing Rwanda’s AS Kigali 5-1 while Uganda’s Corporate stunned pre-tournament favourites Commercial bank of Ethiopia (CBE) 2-1.
Aquino netted a goal in either half, in the fourth and 47th minutes with the other three scored by Diana Mnally, Aisha Juma and star striker Opah Clement.
Meanwhile, CBE’s hope of turning last year’s second place to first place was halted by a determined She Corporates.
Phiona Nabbumba scored the winning goal for Corporate in the 75th minute, less than a quarter of an hour after CBE’s Loza Abera had cancelled out Anitah Namatta’s 20th-minute opener with her 10th goal of the season.
“Bad day at the office. We tried our best but it wasn’t enough. We learn from it. Our better days are ahead of us. We will definitely bounce back next year and come back stronger,” said CBE’s star player and skipper Abera.
The Ethiopians suffered the same pain as last year when they lost via the same scoreline against Kenya’s Vihiga Queens in the final played at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
-Zanzibar stun Uganda in pre-CHAN qualifier friendly-
Uganda Cranes players before a past match
Elsewhere, Ibrahim Mkoko’s 76th-minute goal gave Zanzibar a 1-0 win over Uganda in a friendly match at the Amman Stadium, as the Cranes were handed a reality check ahead of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
The Cranes dominated the game but were not able to turn their possession into results as Zanzibar made the most of the tie played under the floodlights.
Uganda has so far played three friendly matches and won none, having lost by a similar margin to Ethiopia and drew the final game when they camped in Addis last week.
Against Zanzibar, they had the chance but couldn’t bury. Hakim Kiwanuka, Saidi Kyeyune and Isma Mugulusi all had attempts. Kiwanuka went through on goal but fired wide while Kyeyune and Mugulusi’s attempts were thwarted by the keeper.
Despite changes in the second half, they couldn’t find the back of the net and it was Zanzibar who did the most, scoring 14 minutes to time when Mkoko picked a cutback inside the box unmarked before slotting home.
The Cranes leave the island on Friday for Dar, where the first leg tie will be played on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Taifa Stars are already in a residential camp in preparation for the game scheduled for the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Azam FC youngster Tepsi Evans has been included in the squad, which has a majority of Simba and Yanga players.
Head coach Kim Poulsen is optimistic that the team will do well and says they will be keen to make the most of their home advantage and finish off the game in Dar before flying for the return tie in Kampala.
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