NAIROBI, Kenya, August 24, 2026 – Kenyan champions Kenya Police Bullets made a roaring start to their CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Regional Qualifiers campaign, battling to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzanian giants Simba Queens at the Pele Stadium in Kigali on Monday afternoon.
The victory puts Rama Vijago’s charges firmly in the driver’s seat of Group C, securing three crucial points in their opening fixture and blowing the group race wide open.
The Bullets came out of the blocks with intent, taking the game directly to the Tanzanian outfit.
Their early intensity paid off in the 17th minute when Faith Mboya broke the deadlock with a neat finish to give the Kenyan champions a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
Despite Simba Queens pushing for a response, Police Bullets controlled the tempo for the remainder of the first half, taking their slender lead into the break.
Simba Queens returned for the second half determined to turn the tide and found an equalizer in the 69th minute.
Despite vocal protests from the Bullets technical bench over an apparent offside in the buildup, the referee allowed the goal to stand, leveling the score at 1-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
Rather than letting the decision derail their momentum, the Kenyan champions showed immense character.
In the 80th minute, a costly miscommunication between the Simba Queens goalkeeper and her defense presented an opportunity for Martha Amunyolet.
Spotting the keeper off her line, the former Vihiga Queens attacker unleashed a spectacular strike from distance to restore the Bullets’ lead.
Simba Queens mounted a frantic late assault during four minutes of stoppage time, nearly equalizing from a dangerous corner kick, only for a heroic goal-line clearance from a Bullets defender to seal the dramatic 2-1 win.
With the victory, Police Bullets jump to the top of Group C on 3 points, tied with Simba Queens, but crucially holding a game in hand after Simba completed their group stage fixtures.
Police Bullets will look to seal top spot in Group C and book a semi-final berth when they take on Burundi’s Top Girls Academy in their final group match on Wednesday, August 26.
