Ethiopian Champions Ethiopia Nigd Bank were off to a wining start in the opening fixture of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers taking place in Ethiopia.
The curtain for the annual CAF Women’s Champions League East African Qualifiers were raised today at the historical Addis Ababa Stadium.
When the schedule was announced days ago it was Kenyan Police B.FC versus Warrior Queens of Zanzibar the supposed fixture to kick start the tournament but Zanzibar’s representatives Warrior Queens late withdrawal from the tournament due to financial constraints forced the Ethiopia Nigd Bank and Rayon Sports WFC to be rescheduled a hour prior to its previous timing for the onset of the tournament.
Ethiopia Nigd Bank who are on a mission to clinch the elusive regional slot after three failed attempts and they were up for it from the get go, as they went ahead in the very first minute throuh their on form striker Senaf Wakuma.
The early lead made things ease for Ethiopia Nigd Bank as they had control of the game for much of the first half but couldn’t capitalize on that, but minutes before the half time whitsel Aregash Kalsa doubled Nigd Bank’s lead.
After the restart it took Aregash Kalsa only four minutes to score the third goal for her side.Having a three goals lead going into the the last quarter of the match Nigd Bank’s were unable to sustain the pressure giving the Rwandan outfit a chance to assert the selves more into the match.
Rayon Sports WFC of Rwanda’s late resurgence saw them pull two goals back in the space of 12 minutes shocking Nigd Bank and backing supporters who turned out in numbers to back their side.
Ukwikunda Jeannette 67th minute strike gave Rayon Sports a glimmer of hope and then in the 78th minute Jeanne Mukandayisenga was also on the score sheet to set an intriguing end to the game.
But Birhanu Gizaw’s women firmly hold on to their one goal advantage to kick start their campaign with a narrow 3-2 victory.
The second day action of the tournament which is set to take place until the 31st August would see Pvp Buyenzi of Burundi taking on Kawempe Muslim Ladies of Uganda in the early kickoff while in the late kickoff Simba Queens of Tanzania faceoff FAD Djibouti, both fixtures would take place a the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
