Buja send Kampala Queens packing after late drama in Njeru

CAF WCL Buja send Kampala Queens packing after late drama in Njeru

Fred Mwambu • 16:47 - 24.08.2023

Buja Queens left it late to overcome FAD Djibouti 2-1 to progress to the semifinals of the CAF Women's Champions League CECAFA qualifier played in Njeru on Thursday.

The Burundian champions needed just a point from the Djiboutians to seal their spot but had to dig deep into the game to get all the three points.

FAD's goalkeeper Abdilahi Taslim had won the hearts of neutrals and the Kampala Queens supporters with her heroics that kept the Burundians at bay for 75 minutes.

However, defensive lapses thereafter cost them the game and denied Djibouti their first ever point in the competition.

Buja Queens striker Teopista Situma battles for possession during the game | FUFA
Buja Queens striker Teopista Situma battles for possession during the game | FUFA

Erica Kanyamuneza floated a poor freekick that went direct to Taslim's waiting arms.

She rectified that a minute later by slicing a corner kick direct to Ruth Ingosi, who met it with a thumping header for the opening goal in the 75th minute.

The Djiboutians made an instant statement with their second goal of the tournament after a series of sloppy defending by the Burundian backline.

Abdou Lerman won a corner kick ten minutes later and slotted in a tricky cross, which Buja's keeper Monica Karambu clumsily fumbled with it and bounced it on Nadir Nour.

The ball rebounded on Nour and crossed the goal line before the defenders hastily cleared off, but the referee had already blown her whistle to signal for a goal.

The Burundians won another corner kick two minutes later. Kanyamuneza used the same script and laid a kick that troubled the keeper before falling on Teopista Situma's path.

The striker made no mistake to head in for her fourth goal of the tournament and give Buja the win that took their tally to nine points.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia advances as the group A winners after beating Yei Joint Stars 4-0 in the earlier kickoff.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia celebrate one of their goals | FUFA
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia celebrate one of their goals | FUFA

The Ethiopians will face Kenyan champions Vihiga Queens in the semifinal as Buja tussle it out with JKT Queens from Tanzania.

2023 CAF Women’s Champions League - CECAFA Qualifiers

Semifinal fixtures

JKT Queens vs. Buja Queens

CBE FC vs. Vihiga Queens

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