Vihiga Queens have been crowned the inaugural winners of the 2021 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) FC in the final played at Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi on Thursday.
The jubilant Vihiga Queens side not only claimed bragging rights in the region but also booked their ticket to the CAF Women’s Champions League that is scheduled for Egypt later in the year.
They scored 25 goals in their five games, and conceded just five times, showing their dominance in the competition and earning the title of worthy winners.
The match was watched by FIFA Secretary General General Fatma Samoura as well as Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa.
Jentrix Shikangwa scored a goal in each half for the Kenyan side, while her counterpart Mercyline Anyango scored on her own net in a match that Vihiga would have won by a huge scoreline.
It was sweet revenge for Vihiga Queens who lost 4-2 to CBE in the group stage of the qualifiers.
CBE had a bright start, imposing their game high up the pitch but they nearly went behind in the 13th minute after Senayt Boyzo latched on a loose ball outside the box that missed wide although his effort went just wide.
Vihiga Queens got into the game after that, with their high press restricting CBE playing from the back but they could not break down their resilient defence.
However, Jentrix Shikangwa had a great chance to break the deadlock for Queens on the 18th minutes after going through on goal on the right side of the box but she could not apply the finishing touch.
Shikangwa eventually gave Vihiga Queens the lead on 27th minute with an easy tap into the net after CBE custodian Tarikua Balcha failed to hold the ball firmly into her hands.
CBE had Balcha to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 as they went into the break, after he pulled off another fine save to deny Violet Wanyonyi from 25-yards out.
The Ethiopians nearly leveled matters shortly after the break, but substitute Ymiscratch Legese turned Loza Geinore’s low cross over the bar.
CBE got an equalizer when Tereza Engesha headed the ball into her own net on the 57th minute in an attempt to clear a well-taken free-kick Alemesh Asefa.
Substitute Janet Bundi almost made an immediate impact in the 62nd minute but her left-footed effort from the edge of the area sailed inches over the crossbar.
Joan Nabirye nearly restored lead in the 78th minute but the Queens forward managed to head over the crossbar from six-yards out.
Matters however turned in added time after CBE defender brought down Phoebe Owiti inside the area to give Queens a penalty, which Jentrix Shikangwa converted.
