Kawempe Muslim’s remarkable journey from domestic dominance to continental football’s biggest stage will face its toughest examination against defending champions AS FAR of Morocco.
The Ugandan champions were drawn against the Moroccan giants in Group B of the CAF Women’s Champions League following Tuesday’s draw in Cairo, Egypt.
Their maiden appearance at the eight-team tournament begins on November 2, with Mali’s USFAS Bamako and a yet-to-be-confirmed West African representative completing the group.
For Kawempe, the assignment represents another significant chapter in a journey built on domestic success and an impressive qualification campaign.
Under coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Valley Warriors conquered East and Central Africa without conceding a goal, winning all four matches in August’s regional qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
They began with a 1-0 victory over Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank of Ethiopia before overwhelming Djibouti’s FC Ujeco 8-0 in their second group encounter.
The Ugandan side encountered Commercial Bank of Ethiopia again in the semi-finals, producing a convincing 3-0 victory to reach the regional final.
Kenya Police Bullets provided the final obstacle, but Kawempe secured another 1-0 victory at Kigali Pele Stadium to claim their first CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualification title.
Their four victories produced 13 goals without reply, underlining the defensive organisation and attacking efficiency that characterised their campaign.
The triumph also made Kawempe the first Ugandan club to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
Built on domestic success
Kawempe’s continental breakthrough follows years of establishing themselves among Uganda’s most successful women’s football clubs.
The Kampala-based side dominated the domestic championship between 2015 and 2018, winning four consecutive titles before experiencing a period of transition.
They returned to the summit in 2024 and reclaimed the championship again during the 2025/26 season, taking their overall tally to six national titles.
Their latest triumph was secured with a 3-1 victory over Olila High School at the Valley Grounds in May.
That domestic pedigree has provided the foundation for their continental ambitions, although previous attempts to qualify for the African finals ended unsuccessfully.
Their 2026 campaign finally delivered the breakthrough, offering Uganda representation at the highest level of African women’s club football.
Continental giants await
However, the challenge awaiting Kawempe in Egypt is considerably greater than anything they encountered during regional qualification.
AS FAR enter the tournament as defending champions and one of Africa’s most accomplished women’s football clubs.
The Moroccan military side won their first continental crown in 2022 before reclaiming the title in 2025, establishing themselves among the competition’s leading contenders.
Their experience, technical quality and exposure to high-pressure continental matches make them formidable opening opponents.
Mali’s USFAS Bamako also bring continental experience, having participated in the 2025 edition and qualified again for this year’s tournament.
Their inclusion gives Group B another established competitor, while the remaining position will be occupied by the representative of West Africa’s WAFU Zone B.
For Kawempe, advancing beyond the group stage would represent another historic achievement, particularly considering the calibre of their opposition.
Only the top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled for November 11, with the final taking place four days later.
Having already demonstrated their ability to dominate regional opposition, the Valley Warriors must now prove they can compete against Africa’s established elite.
Their opening encounter against AS FAR will provide the first indication of how far Uganda’s domestic champions have progressed.