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A New Chapter: Yei Joint Stars Make History on the Regional Stage
For years, Yei Joint Stars FC travelled into regional competition carrying ambition.
In 2026, ambition became history.
The Stars secured a place in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Kigali, breaking through a barrier the club had been determined to overcome after previous appearances in the competition.
The moment represented more than qualification.
It was progress.
Yei Joint Stars had spoken openly before the tournament about the desire to move beyond the group stage. The club arrived with a strengthened squad, greater experience and a belief that this campaign could be different.
It was.
A 1–1 draw against hosts Rayon Sports was enough to secure a place in the semi-finals and guarantee top spot in the group, marking one of the most significant moments in the club’s regional journey.
For South Sudan women’s football, the achievement carries its own importance.
Regional competitions provide a different stage, a different pressure and a different measure of progress. To compete successfully requires more than talent. It requires preparation, resilience and the ability to believe that history can be changed.
Yei Joint Stars did exactly that.
But perhaps the most important thing about a historic moment is what happens afterwards.
History should not become a finishing line.
It should become a starting point.
Reaching the semi-finals proves that Yei Joint Stars can compete beyond the group stage. The next challenge is to continue raising the standard and to build on the experience gained from competing against the region’s best.
That is the nature of football.
Yesterday’s breakthrough becomes today’s expectation.
And for a club built on ambition, there is no reason to believe the journey ends here.
From Yei to Juba.
From domestic champions to regional contenders.
Yei Joint Stars FC has already travelled a remarkable distance.
Now comes the challenge of finding out just how much further the Stars can go.
CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers
Yei Joint Stars to face Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in play-off tie
South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars FC will face Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the play-off for third place at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA 2026 qualifiers.
Yei Joint Stars FC suffered a 5-0 defeat to Kenya Police Bullets FC in the semi-final match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.
Martha Amunyolete Emedot netted a brace, while Tereza Obunyu, Lorna Nyabuto and Rebecca Akinyi Okwaro scored for the Kenyan side.
Yei Joint Stars FC who reached the semi-final stage for the first time in their six attempts will now face CBE who also lost 3-0 to Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies in the second semi-final tie.
Sony Harriet, the Yei Joint Stars FC coach has made it clear that her team will go back to the drawing board and prepare well for the play-off on Monday.
“We have played four matches and managed two wins, one draw and suffered one defeat. We are determined to finish well as we now target the third place,” added the coach.
Yei Joints Stars FC defeated Denden FC (Eritrea) 3-0 in their opening match and stopped Mafunzo Women SC (Zanzibar) 1-0 in the second Group A match. They settled for a 1-1 draw against home side Rayon Sports WFC and topped the group.
Yei Joints Stars FC results
Yei Joint Stars FC vs Denden FC 3-0
Mafunzo Women SC vs Yei Joint Stars FC 0-1
Yei Joint Stars FC vs Rayon Sports WFC 1-1
Yei Joint Stars FC vs Kenya Police Bullets FC 0-5
The head coach of Yei Joint Stars FC, Sony Harriet has said they are very ready ahead of their semi final clash against Kenya Police Bullets on Saturday.
Yei Joint Stars FC will battle in their first semi final of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers 2026.
“We must be at our best tactically because we are going to face a good team. But we have prepared well and my players are motivated to go out and perform well, added the coach.
The South Sudan giants kick started the tournament with a 3-0 win against Denden FC (Eritrea) in Group A, and followed with a slim 1-0 victory against Zanzibar’s Mafunzo Women SC.
In the decdining match against home side Rayon Sports WFC, Yei Joint Stars scored late to force a draw and qualify as top of the Group.
South Sudan’s Yei Joints Stars FC have made history by qualifying for the semi-final stage at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
Yei Joint Stars FC earned a much needed 1-1 draw against home side Rayon Sports WFC in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on August 25th.
Jeannette Ukwinkunda gave Rayon Sports WFC the lead after 48 minutes, but substitute Moureen Nankinga leveled matters after 79 minutes.
The draw ensured that Yei Joints Stars FC qualified as the top team in Group A. They beat Eritrea’s Denden Fc 3-0 in the opening match and followed it up with a 1-0 victory against Mafunzo Women SC from Zanzibar.
Sony Harriet, the Yei Joint Stars FC coach praised her players for the hard work. “This is very good for our team because we have played in the previous five editions and failed to make it out of the group stage,” added the coach.
Yei Joint Stars now await teams from the other groups to determine who qualifies.
The semi-fnals will be played on August 29th, while the tournament will climax on August 31st.
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CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers2 months agoWe are ready for Kenya Police Bullets semi-final tie – Sony