Twice coming from behind to crush out the Tanzanian giants Simba from the semi-final after a 3-2 score line, Kenya Police was considered the hot favourites for the all-important African champions’ league slot. But Ethiopia NegedBank rose for the occasion to outplay the visitors to win the coveted cup for the first time in the club’s history. After losing the final twice, head coach Berhanu Gizaw’s team this time made it count when they defeated Police Bullets 1-0 in the final played at Abbe Bikila stadium in Addis Ababa
The tournament’s top scorer Senaf Wakuma netted the lone goal after 79 minutes after her team had dominated play from kick-off. The Kenyan side who were making their debut in the tournament resorted to a defensive approach as the CBE team piled more and more pressure.
The pressure paid off for the home side with several passes exchanged before Senaf placed the ball past Kenya Police Bullets goalkeeper Annedy Kundu Kwamasi.
It was all celebrations after the final whistle as the home fans celebrated CBE’s win. In 2021 CBE lost in the final to Vihiga Queens of Kenya, and last year suffered another defeat to Tanzania’s JKT Queens in the final played in Uganda.
The goal scorer Senaf crowned the tournament’s top scorer with six goals while her team mate and play maker Aregash Kalsa named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
In the earlier play-off match to determine which team finishes third Kawempe Muslim Ladies defeated 2022 champions Simba Queens (Tanzania) 2-0. The tournament attracted eight teams from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda.
