Kawempe face must-win USFAS test as AS FAR battle for survival
Anything less than three points could bring the Ugandan champions' maiden continental campaign to an abrupt end, particularly after Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC. Courtesy photo
CAF Women's Champions League
Group B
Thursday Results
AS FAR 6 USFAS Bamako 0
Ampem Darkoa 2 Kawempe 1
Sunday, 4pm
Kawempe v USFAS Bamako
Ampem Darkoa v AS FAR
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC face a do-or-die encounter against already eliminated USFAS Bamako of Mali on Sunday at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, knowing that victory is essential to securing a place in the semifinals of the CAF Women's Champions League.
Anything less than three points could bring the Ugandan champions' maiden continental campaign to an abrupt end, particularly after Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies.
Kawempe are second in Group B with three points, earned from an impressive 3-2 victory over defending champions AS FAR of Morocco which gives them a superior head-to-head record.
AS FAR are also on three points but sit third after getting their first win also on Thursday when they thrashed USFAS Bamako 6-0.
The Moroccan champions are equally under pressure as they face group leaders Ampem Darkoa (six points) in their final group match.
AS FAR must win to keep their semifinal hopes alive, while the Ghanaian side need only a draw to secure top spot in the group.
With only the top two teams from each of the two groups of four advancing to the semifinals, the stakes could hardly be higher for Kawempe.
Their hopes of progressing could once again rest on the attacking qualities of captain Shakira Nyinagahirwa, Agnes Nabukenya, Latifah Nakasi and Shadia Nabirye.
Nabukenya scored twice in the memorable victory over AS FAR, while Nabirye was on target against Ampem Darkoa.
However, Kawempe's biggest concern remains their defensive organisation, particularly goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya, who will need to improve her decision-making and eliminate costly errors.
She has been involved in the goals conceded by Kawempe in their two matches so far.
USFAS Bamako, meanwhile, have struggled throughout the tournament.
They are the weakest side in Group B, having conceded 11 goals in two matches while scoring just once.
Kawempe will therefore need to take advantage of their opponents' defensive weaknesses and deliver a disciplined performance.
Beyond Sunday's result, Kawempe have already achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Ugandan women's club to feature in the group stages of the CAF Women's Champions League.