Mugisha hails Kawempe Muslim Ladies after historic victory over African Champions AS FAR Rabat

By Emmanuel Sekago

USSSA President and FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha has praised Kawempe Muslim Ladies following their historic 3-2 victory over Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat in their opening Group B match of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt.

Mugisha described the achievement as a proud moment for Ugandan football, particularly after Kawempe Muslim Ladies became the first Ugandan club to reach the CAF Women’s Champions League finals and subsequently registered a memorable victory over the reigning African champions.

According to a statement seen by WallNetNews Digital, Mugisha said the triumph demonstrates the effectiveness of Uganda’s football development structures, particularly the connection between school sports and elite-level football.

“This success validates our strategic development frameworks: The Kawempe Muslim SS model, fostering both current and former student talent; the robust foundation provided by USSSA and FEASSA competitions; and the FUFA Technical Master Plan and FUFA Women Super League, which facilitate the transition to the elite level,” Mugisha stated.

He also extended his commendations to head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, goal scorer Agnes Nabukenya and team captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa for their outstanding contributions to the historic victory.

“I extend my commendations to Coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi and our standouts, Agnes Nabukenya and Captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa. The nation supports your continued success as you advance towards the semi-finals,” he added.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies announced their arrival on the continental stage in spectacular fashion after overcoming the Moroccan champions in a thrilling encounter played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Monday afternoon.

AS FAR Rabat took an early lead through Fatima Tagnaout, who found the back of the net just six minutes into the match after Kawempe Muslim Ladies failed to deal with the attacking threat.

The two sides continued to create scoring opportunities, but the Moroccan outfit went into the break holding a narrow advantage.

However, the CECAFA Zone champions returned from the dressing room with renewed determination and found their equaliser in the 53rd minute through Agnes Nabukenya.

Five minutes later, captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa completed the turnaround, putting Kawempe Muslim Ladies 2-1 ahead and raising hopes of a memorable opening-day victory.

AS FAR Rabat refused to surrender and fought back to level matters through Doha El Madani, setting up a tense finish.

Just when the match appeared destined for a draw, Nabukenya struck again in the fourth minute of added time, completing her brace and sealing a remarkable 3-2 victory for the Ugandan representatives.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Kawempe Muslim Ladies players and technical team as they registered a historic win on their debut at the CAF Women’s Champions League.

“We are very happy with this win because it gives us good momentum in the tournament,” said head coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi after the match.

In the other Group B encounter, Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies registered an emphatic 5-1 victory over Mali’s USFAS Bamako, further shaping the early group standings.

Kawempe Muslim Ladies will return to action against Ampem Darkoa Ladies, knowing that another victory would put them in a strong position to secure a place in the semi-finals.

The sixth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League, Africa’s premier women’s club football competition organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), kicked off on Sunday and will run until November 15, 2026.

For Uganda, Kawempe Muslim Ladies’ victory is more than just three points. It is a statement of the progress made in women’s football development, from school competitions to the continental stage, and a moment of pride for the country’s football fraternity.