The race for a place at the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League officially begins today in Nairobi, as nine clubs from across the CECAFA zone gather for this year’s regional qualifiers. Over the next ten days, Nyayo National Stadium will host matches that will determine who secures the coveted slot in November’s continental showpiece.
Opening day promises a thrilling double-header, with defending champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia taking on Rwanda’s Rayon Sports at 1pm, before hosts Kenya Police Bullets face Kampala Queens of Uganda in a much-anticipated derby at 4pm EAT.
Beldine Odemba, head coach of Kenya Police Bullets, enters the tournament with quiet confidence. Having steered her side to a runners-up finish in their debut campaign last year in Ethiopia, Odemba believes the team is mentally prepared and physically reinforced for a stronger showing this year.
“There’s no pressure in camp. The mood is right, and the hunger from the players is evident,” Odemba noted during the pre-tournament press conference. “We’ve added new faces this season, including talent from Uganda and the local league. Our focus is one match at a time, but the target is to win every game.”
CECAFA competition manager Yusuf Mossi, speaking at the same event, emphasized the developmental importance of the qualifiers. He confirmed that entry for fans will be free throughout the tournament and assured that adequate security measures are in place.
“This competition is part of our broader efforts to grow women’s football in the region,” said Mossi. “We’re riding on the momentum from the recently concluded CHAN tournament, and it’s encouraging to see the strong media interest and support.”
The tournament features nine teams drawn from CECAFA member nations, with only Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti not represented. Alongside hosts Police Bullets and defending champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, other contenders include Kampala Queens (Uganda), Top Girls Academy (Burundi), Rayon Sport (Rwanda), Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan), JKT Queens (Tanzania), Denden SC (Eritrea), and JKU Princess (Zanzibar).
The top team from this tournament will book a place in the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League, scheduled for later this year.
Kenya Police Bullets arrive at the tournament in blistering domestic form, having recently overwhelmed Kahawa Women Pride with a staggering 25-0 scoreline, followed by a 4-1 win over Mathare United Women in their final warm-up match. The stage is now set for them to test their mettle against the region’s best as they aim to go one better than last season.
