Vihiga Queens suffer first loss at CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers

Vihiga Queens suffered their first loss at the CAF Women's Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers after going down 1-0 at the hands of Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) Queens on Saturday.

Both teams came into the game having already qualified for the semis after winning each of their opening two matches and needing a positive result to secure leadership of their group.

Vihiga forward Winnie Babirye scored an own goal three minutes after the resumption of the second half which gave the Tanzanian heavyweights the maximum points.

The win meant that JKT Queens will proceed to the semis as Group winners and are bound to be handed a favorable draw against the runner-up in Group B.

Four-time Kenyan champions Vihiga had gunned down New Generation of Zanzibar 3-1 on August 13 before overcoming AS Kigali 1-0 three days later while as JKT edged Kigali 2-1 and beat New Generation 1-0.

Two matches of Group A will be on cards on August 23 when Buja Queens of Burundi meet Yei Joints Stars of South Sudan while the hosts Kampala Queens tackle FAD of Djibouti.

On August 24, CBE (Ethiopia) will play their last pool A match against Yei Joint Stars from South Sudan while the host Kampala Queens will tackle FAD of Djibouti whereby the semifinal fixture will be determined after.

The semifinals were scheduled to kick off on August 27 followed by the finals on August 30 which will be proceeded by the third winner decider match same day pitting semifinal one and two losers.

This is the second time Vihiga are reaching the semis in this competition having also done so in 2021 where they went on to win the maiden championship.

The Kenyans are seeking a second qualification into the Women’s CAF Champions League, after playing in the inaugural edition held in Egypt 2021.

Kenya was not represented in last year's tournament - second edition held in Morocco - as the country was still under FIFA suspension from international football due to government interference.

Top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals spot with the winner representing CECAFA region in the final tournament later this year in Ivory Coast.