Just over a year since the club’s formation, the Kenya Police Bullets have already reached the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Champions League Cecafa Zonal Qualifiers.

Today, Beldine Odemba’s charges face the 2nd edition winners, Simba, in perhaps the most significant game in their history. Simba is one of the three sides to have won the Cecafa Championship, alongside Vihiga Queens (2021) and JKT Queens (2023).

Starting off slow, the Police Bullets qualified for the semis through a numerical advantage in goals scored, finishing the group stage tied for second place with Yei Joint Stars, with one win, one draw, and one loss. The law enforcers scored two goals and conceded two. In contrast, Simba had an impressive campaign, scoring the most goals (10) and conceding the joint fewest (2), with two wins and a draw.

Kenya Police will be buoyed by the return of Mercy Njeri to the squad. Njeri, a key player in Beldine Odemba’s title-winning midfield, has been out as she finalizes a move abroad. The Bullets will also be relying on their top scorer, Puren Alukwe, to shine on this grand stage.

For Simba, one of the tournament favorites, maximizing their goal-scoring prowess will be crucial. The Ubaya Ubwela team boasts Kenyan international Jentrix Shikangwa, who has been scoring goals for fun, along with a solid bench that includes Asha Djafari and Mary Saiki.

Today’s match will see familiar Harambee Starlets faces on the grand stage, with Simba featuring six Kenyans in their regular starting eleven: Corazon Aquino, Wincate Kaari, Jentrix Shikangwa, Elizabeth Wambui, Ruth Ingosi, and Caroline Rufa.

The match kicks off at 11 AM EAT at the Abebe Bekila Stadium.