By Evaline Martins.
In a spirited international friendly held in Juba, Uganda’s Kampala Queens triumphed South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars with a 2-0 victory. Despite the loss, optimism remains high among the South Sudanese camp, as the match served as a crucial experience-building opportunity ahead of the CECAFA Women’s Championship in September.
Dogga Isaac Samson, Development Director of Yei Joint Stars, expressed gratitude for the encounter, calling it an important milestone for the club’s growth.
“Kampala Queens are champions in Uganda, and we’re the champions here. It is always a competitive and respectful encounter,” he said. “We appreciate them for continuing to give us strong challenges.”
Yei Joint Stars, fondly known as the “Super Queens,” are a young team, having been established in 2019. In their last meeting with Kampala Queens two years ago in Kampala, the South Sudanese side suffered a 3-0 defeat. This weekend’s 2-0 result marks a sign of improvement, according to both fans and management.
One longtime supporter, Moses, who has followed the team since its inception, praised the team’s effort despite the loss.
“Kampala Queens were raised in football academies, but our girls still played a nice game,” he said. “For a team that just started five years ago, this wasn’t a bad result.”
Moses also called on the management to reinforce the squad ahead of the upcoming CECAFA Women’s Champions League in Tanzania this September, emphasizing that international competition will require stronger depth.
“The international stage will demand a more fortified squad to play”. he said
Dogga confirmed that preparations are well underway, with recruitment ongoing and contract renewals being finalized before the tournament.
In a spirit of regional solidarity, Dogie also acknowledged Kampala Queens for previously loaning three players to Yei Joint Stars, including Lilian Mutuuzo and Damalie Matama both of whom scored in the team’s recent league-final victory over Wajuma.
Support for the team continues to grow, with fans like William Sebit commending the squad’s improved performance and resilience.
“I am feeling proud because two years back we lost 3-0 in Kampala. Now it’s 2-0, and the girls showed more effort,” Sebit said. “It’s an improvement. The back-to-back matches may have tired them, but the direction is right.”
The Yei Joint Stars now turn their focus to the CECAFA Women’s Senior Championship 2025, scheduled for June 12–22 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Organized by the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), the tournament will feature national teams from across the region.
As of now, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan have confirmed participation, with more teams expected to join, according to CECAFA officials.
Dogie summed up the mission ahead stating that “this is not just about football. It’s about building strong women, building a future, and representing South Sudan on a bigger stage.”
Total Comments: 0