Kenya Police Bullets thrash South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars 5-0 to reach CECAFA final
Kenya Police Bullets are one win away from securing a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals after cruising past South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars 5-0 in the CECAFA regional qualifier semi-final in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday.
The Kenyan champions produced another dominant display at Kigali Pele Stadium to maintain their perfect record in the tournament and set up a final showdown with Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies.
Police Bullets took control of the contest early and were rewarded after just 10 minutes when Tereza Engesha capitalised on a defensive mistake by Yei Joint Stars to put the Kenyan side ahead.
The South Sudanese side, who had reached the knockout stage after an unbeaten group campaign, struggled to cope with Police’s quick passing and movement in midfield.
Yei captain Sumaya Malili Taban Noah had an opportunity to level the contest but could only fire her effort wide, with Police continuing to dictate proceedings.
The law enforcers doubled their advantage four minutes after the half-hour mark when Martha Amunyolete Emedot rose highest to meet a well-delivered ball and headed past goalkeeper Nawal Isaac Henry Majok.
Emedot’s goal was her third of the tournament and gave Police a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Police returned from the interval with even greater intensity and quickly turned the match into a one-sided affair.
Lorna Nyarinda extended their advantage in the 55th minute with a superbly curled free-kick that left the Yei goalkeeper with little chance.
The Kenyan side continued to create openings as Yei struggled to contain their attacking pressure, and Emedot completed her brace in the 75th minute after confidently converting from the penalty spot.
There was still time for another landmark moment when substitute Rebecca Okwaro, who had been passed out as a Kenya Police constable a day earlier, rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute with a close-range finish.
The emphatic victory means Police Bullets have now won all three of their matches in Kigali, having earlier defeated Tanzanian giants Simba Queens 2-1 before overcoming Burundi’s Top Girls Academy 3-1 in Group C.
Their opponents in the semi-final had also arrived with an impressive record. Yei Joint Stars opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Eritrea’s Denden before beating Zanzibar’s Mafunzo Women 1-0. They then drew 1-1 with hosts Rayon Sports Women to advance to the knockout stage.
Yei had failed to progress beyond the group stage in their previous five appearances but saw their hopes of reaching the continental finals ended by a rampant Police Bullets side.
“We are very happy to get to the final after winning all our matches,” Police Bullets head coach David Bujego Rangon said after the match.
Police Bullets will now meet Kawempe Muslim Ladies in Monday’s final after the Ugandan champions defeated CBE FC 3-0 in the other semi-final.
The final will determine the CECAFA representative at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals, meaning Police Bullets are now just 90 minutes away from making their mark on the continental stage.