CAFCLQ: Vihiga Queens outwit AS Kigali, reach CECAFA Zone semis
By Joel Sang, August 16, 2023Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League winners Vihiga Queens have reached the CECAFA-CAF Women’s Champions League regional semi-final after a 1-0 win over Rwandan side AS Kigali on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
The Kenyan giants have progressed since they have six points from their two Group B games, having earlier defeated New Generation from Zanzibar 3-1.
Meanwhile, Vihiga Queens would have come out with a bigger margin had they been clinical enough in front of the goal at Phillip Omondi Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Chances
Phelistus Kadri saw her effort stopped by AS Kigali’s goalkeeper, Angeline Ndakimana, who reacted quickly to stop the effort from the Vihiga Queens midfielder, who had time and space to launch a precise strike.
AS Kigali’s first notable chance came in the 29th minute when Zawadi Ananase attempted a long-range strike that went over the bar as Vihiga Queens scrambled to contain the Rwandan outfit.
The Kenyan champions grabbed the lead in the 36th minute when Bertha Omita broke the deadlock. Omita, an in-form forward and a dependable figure within Queens’ set-up, cut in from the right-hand side before finding the back of the net to give her teammates a first-half lead.
Second half action
When the second half started, AS Kigali kept fighting and launched relentless attacks with the sole aim of getting an equalizer. However, Charles Okere’s girls remained solid at the back and thwarted every danger presented by the rivals.
AS Kigali made two changes six minutes after the hour mark, with Marthe Nyiramwiza and Mutuyemariya Florentine, both midfielders, coming on.
Vihiga Queens held on and finally came out winners with a slim scoreline. With one match remaining in the group, their sole aim is to progress to the ultimate stage and hope to grab a ticket to the Women’s Champions League that will be hosted by Ivory Coast later this year.