Kenya Police Bullets FC’s aspiration to make their debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League came to an abrupt end on Thursday evening, following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Central Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the Cecafa Women’s Club Championship final. The match, held at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, saw Senaf Wakuma score the decisive goal, ensuring that CBE secured the sole ticket from the Cecafa region to the prestigious continental tournament scheduled to kick off later this year.
The lone goal, delivered by the in-form Wakuma in the 79th minute, dashed Police Bullets’ hopes of becoming the second Kenyan team to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League. The only other Kenyan side to have achieved this feat was Vihiga Queens, who made history by participating in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021.
The final was a rematch of their group stage clash, which had also seen CBE emerge victorious with a 2-1 win. The Ethiopian side’s triumph in this year’s final was particularly sweet, coming after a series of near misses in recent years. CBE had previously fallen short in the 2021 final against Vihiga Queens, losing 2-1 at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. They also experienced heartbreak in the 2023 edition, succumbing to a 5-4 defeat on penalties to Tanzanian debutants Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) after a goalless draw in normal time. In 2022, CBE’s journey ended in the semi-finals against Tanzania’s Simba Queens at Azam Sports Complex.
In the match against Police Bullets, CBE showcased resilience and composure, particularly under the pressure of home fans. Police Bullets started the game energetically and nearly took the lead just two minutes in. Puren Alukwe’s effort, following a clever flick-on from Rebecca Okwaro, narrowly missed the target.
CBE responded with their first significant chance in the 10th minute when Mesay Temesgen’s shot was well-blocked by Police Bullets’ Norah Anne. The hosts continued to press, and in the 43rd minute, Nigist Hailu was left with a one-on-one opportunity against Police keeper Annedy Kundu but failed to convert as her shot went wide.
The first half concluded with the teams locked in a goalless stalemate. The second half saw CBE take control, and their perseverance paid off when Wakuma’s goal broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. Despite Police Bullets’ attempts to respond, including a late chance for Lydia Akoth in the 80th minute, CBE’s defense stood firm to secure the victory.
In other Cecafa action at the same venue, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim finished in third place following a 2-0 win over Simba Queens in the third-place playoff held earlier on Thursday. This victory provided some consolation for Kawempe Muslim, who had been eliminated in the semi-finals by CBE.
With this result, CBE, coached by Birhanu Gizaw Heye, joins other qualified teams from across the continent, including Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Aigles Medina (Senegal), Edo Queens (Nigeria), FCF Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo), The University of the Western Cape (South Africa), and either Tutankhamun (Egypt) or ASFAR (Morocco), whose qualification matches are still ongoing.
Despite their disappointment, Police Bullets FC can hold their heads high after a commendable campaign. Their performance throughout the Cecafa Women’s Club Championship demonstrated their potential and resilience, and while their journey to the CAF Women’s Champions League has been put on hold, the team remains a promising force in East African women’s football.
