Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies reached the CAF Women’s Champions League semifinals on their tournament debut, while defending champions AS FAR survived a dramatic three-team qualification battle to advance from Group B in Egypt.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies made history on Sunday, 8 November 2026, defeating Mali’s USFAS Bamako 3–0 to secure a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League semifinals.
The Ugandan side’s breakthrough came as Morocco’s AS FAR defeated Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies 2–0 in the group’s other decisive encounter.
Both clubs finished on six points alongside Ampem Darkoa, but the head-to-head results between the three teams sent AS FAR through as group winners and Kawempe into the last four as runners-up.
For Kawempe, it was a landmark achievement in their first appearance at Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
For AS FAR, the result kept alive their pursuit of a third continental title.
Kawempe Deliver When It Matters
Kawempe entered Sunday’s final group fixture knowing that victory was essential to their qualification ambitions.
They responded emphatically.
Agnes Nabukenya opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Jovia Nakagolo doubled the advantage in the 39th minute.
With the Ugandan champions firmly in control, Nabukenya struck again in the 71st minute to complete her brace and secure a 3–0 victory.
The result took Kawempe to six points from three matches.
However, qualification was not determined by their victory alone.
With three teams finishing level on points, Kawempe also depended on the outcome of AS FAR’s meeting with Ampem Darkoa.
The Moroccan champions’ eventual 2–0 victory ensured the Ugandan side progressed.
Kawempe’s achievement is particularly significant because they are the first Ugandan club to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
They have now reached the semifinals at their first attempt.
Goalkeeper Dismissal Changes AS FAR’s Decisive Encounter
AS FAR’s qualification was secured in a dramatic contest against Ampem Darkoa.
The Ghanaian champions entered the match with six points and a strong opportunity to advance.
Goalkeeper Rose Baah initially strengthened their position by saving a penalty shortly before halftime.
But the contest changed early in the second half.
According to the Ghana Football Association, Baah was dismissed approximately five minutes after the restart following an incident involving an opposing player.
Ampem Darkoa were consequently forced to defend their qualification hopes with ten players.
AS FAR captain Ghizlane Chebbak eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute.
The Moroccan side maintained their narrow advantage before Youssoufi scored again in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The 2–0 victory secured AS FAR’s passage into the semifinals.
Crucially, the second goal also strengthened their position in the three-team head-to-head comparison.
How Three Teams Finished Level — But Only Two Advanced
The final Group B standings produced an unusual qualification scenario.
AS FAR, Kawempe and Ampem Darkoa each collected six points from three matches.
Their results against one another were:
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| Kawempe vs AS FAR | 3–2 |
| Ampem Darkoa vs Kawempe | 2–1 |
| AS FAR vs Ampem Darkoa | 2–0 |
Because the three clubs finished level on points, their head-to-head records became decisive.
The relevant goal differences were:
| Club | Head-to-head goal difference |
|---|---|
| AS FAR | +1 |
| Kawempe | 0 |
| Ampem Darkoa | −1 |
AS FAR therefore topped the three-team comparison, Kawempe finished second, and Ampem Darkoa were eliminated.
Youssoufi’s stoppage-time goal proved especially significant.
Without that second goal, all three clubs would have finished level on head-to-head goal difference.
The late strike established a clear separation in that calculation and confirmed AS FAR’s advantage.
It was a dramatic conclusion to a group in which all three contenders had recorded two victories.
Ampem Darkoa Exit Despite Two Wins
For Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa, elimination was particularly painful.
They opened their campaign with a 5–1 victory over USFAS Bamako before defeating Kawempe 2–1.
Those results left them strongly positioned ahead of the final round.
However, their defeat to AS FAR meant they finished behind both the Moroccan and Ugandan clubs in the head-to-head comparison.
Their elimination illustrates how narrow the margins can be in a short continental tournament.
Two victories were not enough to guarantee progression.
Kawempe’s Breakthrough Signals Growing Competition
Kawempe’s semifinal qualification represents a major achievement for Ugandan women’s club football.
The tournament debutants announced themselves with a 3–2 victory over defending champions AS FAR on 2 November.
Although they subsequently lost to Ampem Darkoa, Sunday’s victory demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure.
Their progress also highlights the increasingly competitive nature of African women’s club football.
Established continental champions remain formidable, but emerging clubs are demonstrating that they can compete at the highest level.
Kawempe’s next assignment will provide another major test.
Semifinal Showdowns Confirmed
The CAF Women’s Champions League semifinals will take place on Wednesday, 11 November.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies will face Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African club that won the competition in 2021 and 2023.
The encounter offers Kawempe an opportunity to extend their historic debut campaign against one of Africa’s most experienced women’s teams.
AS FAR will meet Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles in the other semifinal.
The Moroccan champions, who lifted the continental trophy in 2022 and 2025, are seeking another appearance in the final.
The tournament’s championship match is scheduled for Sunday, 15 November.
For AS FAR, the objective is to defend their title.
For Kawempe, the opportunity is to transform a remarkable semifinal breakthrough into an even greater achievement.
Two clubs have reached the last four through very different journeys. Now, both stand one victory away from the continental final.
