By 
Kawempe Muslim have booked their place in the semifinals of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after a commanding 3-0 victory over Mali’s USFAS Bamako in their final Group B encounter on Sunday.
The Valley Warriors delivered when it mattered most, with Agnes Nabukenya scoring twice while Jovia Nakagolo added the other goal to keep Uganda’s representatives in contention for the continental crown.
Kawempe went into the decisive fixture knowing that nothing short of victory would give them a realistic chance of reaching the last four, following their earlier defeat to Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa.
The stakes were equally high for defending champions AS FAR, who also needed a win to secure progression, while Ampem Darkoa started the day in a favourable position with six points and only needed a draw to guarantee qualification.
Kawempe took care of their business in convincing fashion, finishing their group campaign with three points from the victory. However, their fate remained uncertain as they awaited the outcome of the other Group B fixture between AS FAR and Ampem Darkoa.
The qualification battle went down to the wire, with the three sides locked on points and separated by the tournament’s tie-breaking criteria.
At one stage, Kawempe appeared to have done enough to finish top of the group after AS FAR were still leading 1-0 in their fixture, leaving the Ugandan side ahead on goal difference.
However, a late goal by AS FAR changed the standings, lifting the Moroccan side to the top with a superior goal difference and pushing Ampem Darkoa into third place.
Despite the uncertainty following the final whistle, Kawempe eventually received confirmation that they had secured the second qualification spot, sparking relief after an anxious wait.
The result means AS FAR finish top of Group B and will face Cameroon’s Lekie, who finished second in Group A, in the semifinals.
Kawempe, meanwhile, will face two-time champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who topped Group A with seven points, in what promises to be a demanding test for the Ugandan debutants.
The semifinals will be played on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, with Kawempe now just one victory away from reaching the final in their maiden appearance at the competition.
