SIMBA Queens head coach Juma Mgunda has expressed disappointment in his squad after failing to win the third-place silverware in the CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers against Kawempe Muslim Ladies.

The Tanzanian side was defeated 2-0 by the Ugandan team at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Thursday afternoon. Goals from Sumaya Nabuto in the first half and Agnes Nabukenya in the second half were enough to end Simba Queens' hopes of securing third place. 

Despite a strong start in the group stages, where they defeated Kawempe Muslim Ladies 3-0, Simba Queens couldn't replicate that performance in the playoff match.

Simba Queens faced consecutive defeats after a challenging semifinal match against Kenya’s Police Bullets FC, where they narrowly lost 3-2 on Monday. 

Speaking after the match, Mgunda acknowledged the tough competition and emphasized the need for improved performance in future tournaments, with a particular focus on securing the Tanzania Mainland Women's Premier League title.

“Despite the loss today, our focus remains on winning our country's championship to qualify for next year’s CECAFA tournament. We’ll return home determined to rectify our mistakes and strengthen our team,” said Mgunda. 

“We conceded easy goals and repeated mistakes from previous games. We lacked discipline, and the Ugandan side capitalized on our errors. This defeat is painful, but as a coach, I must analyze the reasons behind it to improve our performance in the Tanzania women's league.”

Simba Queens had an impressive run in Group B, emerging as one of the tournament's standout teams. They began their campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over FAD Djibouti, showcasing their attacking prowess and setting a high benchmark. 

This win was followed by a 3-0 triumph over Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies, solidifying their status as favorites before their unfortunate exit in the semifinals.

Simba Queens last qualified for the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2022 when they were crowned champions in the CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Dar es Salaam.

Looking ahead, Simba Queens will return to domestic action next season with the Community Shield mini-tournament, where they will face Yanga Princess in the semifinals. 

The team aims to defend their title and chase their fifth Tanzanian championship after winning in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024.

As the Simba Queens regroup and focus on their domestic league ambitions, they remain committed to correcting their mistakes and building on their strengths to reclaim their position as one of East Africa’s top women's football teams.