CAF Women’s Champions League: Debutants Kawempe Muslim Ladies stun defending champions FAR Rabat

Ugandan side Kawempe Muslim Ladies announced their arrival on the continental stage in spectacular fashion after securing a remarkable 3-2 victory over defending champions FAR Rabat in their opening Group B fixture of the CAF Women’s Champions League on Monday, November 2.

Making their maiden appearance in the competition, Kawempe Muslim Ladies produced an outstanding comeback to overcome the Moroccan giants in a thrilling encounter at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.

Despite facing the reigning champions, the Ugandan outfit showed tremendous character to overturn an early deficit and claim all three points in one of the biggest results of the opening round.

FAR Rabat made a perfect start to the contest, taking the lead just six minutes into the game through Fatima Tagnaout, who put the Moroccan side in front.

The defending champions maintained their advantage for the remainder of the first half, heading into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.

However, Kawempe Muslim Ladies returned from the interval with renewed determination and quickly turned the contest around.

Agnes Nabukenya restored parity in the 52nd minute before Shakira Nyanagahirwa completed the comeback six minutes later, firing the Ugandans into a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute.

FAR Rabat refused to surrender and responded through Doha El Madani, who converted a penalty in the 69th minute to bring the defending champions level at 2-2.

With the encounter seemingly heading towards a draw, Kawempe Muslim Ladies delivered a decisive blow deep into stoppage time.

Nabukenya emerged as the match-winner, finding the back of the net for the second time in the 90+3rd minute to complete her brace and secure a historic 3-2 triumph for the Ugandan side.

The victory represents a significant milestone for Kawempe Muslim Ladies, who could hardly have wished for a better introduction to Africa’s premier women’s club competition.

Beating the reigning champions in their opening fixture will also provide the Ugandans with enormous confidence as they continue their campaign in Group B.

For FAR Rabat, the defeat represents a disappointing start to their title defence, with the Moroccan giants now needing a strong response in their subsequent group-stage fixtures.