Nairobi, Kenya — For Kampala Queens FC, the path to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers 2025 was not sealed on the pitch in their final group game. Instead, it was decided days later, under the weight of calculators, as results from other groups rolled in and confirmed what every Queen has been waiting for: a place among the last four, advancing as the best second-placed team across all three groups.
Queens began their Group A journey against Kenya Police Bullets, one of the tournament’s favorites. A tightly contested match slipped away by a slender 1-0 margin, leaving the team under pressure to respond quickly in their second yet last group fixture.
And yes they did. Against Eritrea’s Denden FC, the Queens unleashed a storm of attacking football at Nyayo Stadium, registering a resounding 7-0 victory. The win was not only three points in the bag but also a huge boost to goal difference — a statistic that would later prove decisive.
On that burning afternoon, it was Kamiyat Naigaga, Peace Muduwa, and Turist Lema who shone brightest, each grabbing a brace. A Denden own goal capped off the scoreline, but more importantly, Kampala Queens had restored belief and positioned themselves as serious contenders for a runners-up slot.
The Nervous Wait
With their two group games completed, there was nothing more that could be done. Now destiny laid in the hands of others. The players and technical team turned into spectators as Group A’s final clash — Kenya Police Bullets vs Denden FC — kicked off.
Bullets’ 2-0 win meant they topped Group A with maximum points. For Kampala Queens, it was at this point about waiting on Groups B and C, where mathematics would determine whether enough had been done.
Every scoreline from those groups mattered. The Queens’ camp followed closely as Rayon Sports (Rwanda) and JKT Queens (Tanzania) confirmed their dominance by topping their groups. When the dust settled, Kampala Queens’ superior goal difference and tally of goals scored put them ahead of the other second-placed teams. At that moment, suspense turned into celebration. Kampala Queens were officially through to the semifinals.
This qualification speaks to the resilience and growing stature of the Queens in regional football. Coming into the tournament with a history of not making it out of the group in the previous edition in 2023. This edition, losing the opener could have shattered confidence, but instead, the team rallied, regrouped, and produced one of the biggest scorelines of the group stage.
The Headcoach, Firew Hailegebreal summed up the mood:
“The semifinals are here, and Kampala Queens are in. It’s a reward for the team’s character and belief. They never stopped fighting, and today, that fight has given Uganda a place in the last four. We are proud, and we know the journey is still on.”
With semifinal fixtures now confirmed, Kampala Queens will meet Rayon Sports Women FC on Sunday 14th September 2025 at Nyayo Stadium.
