Africa-Press – Tanzania. Simba Queens who were playing in the tournament for the second time beat She Corporate FC 1-0 in the qualifiers’ final match played at Dar es Salaam’s Azam Complex Stadium, Chamazi on Saturday evening to earn a ticket to represent the CECAFA region at the coveted 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco in October.
After a cagey first half, Simba Queens emerged from the tunnels determined to bring joy to a vociferous crowd that was solidly behind them.
Two minutes into the restart, striker Asha Djuma Djafar was brought down in She Corporate FC’s box to earn Simba Queens the penalty which was converted by Kenyan international Vivian Corazone Aquino.
Speaking to the press after the match, coach Ayiekoh said Simba Queens were worthy winners of the tournament which was sponsored by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to the tune of $100,000.
The tactician revealed: “They deserve it, Simba deserves it because they have a better team, they have mature players in each area, striking, midfield, and defense. Only that one mistake which we made and they punished us, so for me they deserve the championship.”
“They prepared well and have a good senior coach, being champions is not an accident.”
Ayiekoh noted: “And I have to salute my girls because this has been a real final, playing before a big crowd like this was a good show, they had to contain this team playing at home, I know it is a learning lesson, we have learned a lot in this tournament.”
In addition to the continental showdown ticket, Simba Queens walked away with US$30,000 in cash prize.
Losing finalists She Corporate FC bagged US$20,000 and the third-placed Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) FC who beat Rwanda’s AS Kigali WFC 3-1 in the play-off match took home US$10,000.
Simba Queens’ striker Vivian who scored five goals was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while the outfit’s shot stopper Gelwa Yona won the Golden Glove award after conceding just one goal in five matches.
The other awards were won by CBE FC attacker Geinore Loza Abera who scored 11 goals to emerge top goal scorer for the second consecutive time in the tournament and the Fair Play Award which went to AS Kigali Women Football Club.
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