CECAFA WCL: Central Bank of Ethiopia edge Kenya Police Bullets to clinch title after our-Year Wait

Ethiopia's representative in the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League Cecafa Zonal Qualifiers, CBE, defeated debutants Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in the final, securing their place in the CAF Women's Champions League.

The decisive goal came in the 79th minute from the lethal Senaf Waquma, who ended the tournament as the top scorer with six goals. After dominating both the first and second halves, CBE's persistence paid off when Aregash Kalsa combined with Mesey Temesgan to set up Senaf, who slotted the ball home to give the hosts the lead at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

The match began with Kenya Police Bullets pressing high in the opposition half, with Puren Alukwe missing a chance wide within the first 12 minutes. Senaf Waquma hit the woodwork in the 22nd minute, and Nigistu Hailu had a goal ruled out for offside in the 43rd minute, leaving the teams level at halftime.

CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers finals

Here's the Champions 🏆 CBE Women FC

CBE Women FC 1️⃣ - 0️⃣ Police Bullets FC#CafWomen #cafwclq2024 #cecafa pic.twitter.com/EHjSNdL4f9

— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) August 29, 2024

In the second half, CBE proved too strong, securing the winner late on with Senaf Waquma's sublime finish, earning their first-ever title on home soil. Kenya Police Bullets' best chance came from a free-kick attempt by Lydia Akoth. Senaf Waquma had an opportunity to extend CBE's lead late in the game but missed from close range with only the goalkeeper to beat.

This Cecafa Trophy follows CBE's unsuccessful attempts in 2021 and 2023, where they lost in the final, and 2022, where they were runners-up. CBE will now represent the Cecafa region in the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League group stage, following in the footsteps of Vihiga Queens, Simba Queens, and JKT, who represented the region in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.

Starting Lineups

Kenya Police Bullets:

Annedy Kundu, Anne Norah, Nelly Sawe, Lydia Waganda (C), Elizabeth Ochaka, Lydia Akoth, Diana Wacera, Jane Hato, Puren Alukwe, Lucy Kwekwe, Rabecca Okwaro

CBE:

Tarikwa Bergene (C), Kidist Zeleke, Tarikwa Debiso, Nigistu Hailu, Senaf Waquma, Aregash Kalsa, Hasabe Muso, Mesay Temesgan, Nardos Getnet, Emebet Addisu, Senayit Bogale