CAF WCL: Brenda Tabe hits hat-trick as Lekie FF close in on historic ticket

Cameroon international forward Brenda Tabe Ebika scored a hat-trick against AC Colombe of Congo Brazzaville in a 7-0 win as Lekie Football Filles closed in on a historic first qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The former Al Ahly striker first tapped in from close during the first half before scoring twice after the restart to help Lekie FF secure their first win in the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Central African Football Federation Union (UNIFFAC) qualifiers yesterday.

Lekie FF desire for a place in the continent’s elite club competition was illustrated in a fast start which saw the Cameroonian flag bearers take a commanding lead at the Ahmadou Ahidjou Stadium before the break.

Midfielder Adrienne Mekuko Tchinda, who was handed a starting role by coach Stephane Ndzana, broke the deadlock on 22 minutes with a stunning first-time finish from skipper Monelle Nnanga Ebolo’s assist.

Three minutes later, Nnanga assisted Yolande Mylene Zoua who doubled the lead for the team.

Lekie FF continued to pose an attacking threat and got a third through Indomitable Lionesses forward Brenda Tabe. The 23-year-old lethal forward calmly tapped into an empty net after the AC Colombe goalkeeper failed to deal with an inviting left-wing cross, which came off Nnanga and into her path.

Lekie FF further proved their hunger to qualify for the most prestigious women’s club competition and overwhelmed their woeful visitors who could not keep up with the pace and intensity of the crunch fixture.

Any hopes of an AC Colombe comeback were quickly dashed as Lekie FF continued their scoring spree in the second half.

Mekuko needed just 10 minutes after the restart to complete a brace and take the game to bed.

Brenda Tabe later took up goalscoring duties scoring twice in 18 minutes. The Lekie FF striker added a fifth with a smart finish before she capped off an impressive performance with a hat-trick from a fantastic lob which kept the keeper rooted to the spot.

It was a memorable day for Brenda Tabe who became the country’s best goal scorer in the UNIFFAC qualifier with five goals. She opened her account in the qualifiers while still on the books at AS Awa.

Despite completely taking control of the game, Lekie FF did not take their foot off the gas. Ndjock Pouhe held her nerves to convert from the spot to seal the emphatic win before added time. AS Colombe were fortunate not to have conceded more.

Finding redemption & breaking the jinx

The win is a perfect response for Lekie FF who kickstarted their 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League UNIFFAC qualifiers with a 1-1 stalemate against 15 Agosto of Equatorial Guinea.

Brenda Tabe had put the team on course for a win but the defending UNIFFAC champions avoided defeat with a stoppage time equalizer.

Lekie FF is now one step away from becoming the first Cameroonian club to feature in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

It is also a chance for redemption for Lekie FF who had failed to achieve the feat in 2024.

Their setback added to those of AS Awa in 2022 and also in 2023. Louves MINPROFF suffered the same fate during the inaugural edition of the qualifiers in 2021.

Last year, FC Ebolowa came close to lifting the curse but ultimately failed after finishing as runners-up in the qualifiers.

This year’s CAF Women’s Champions League UNIFFAC qualifiers also promise to be closely fought.

Lekie FF face their ultimate test when they challenge FA Msichana of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in their final encounter of the qualifiers.  A win for Lekie FF will guarantee them a spot at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Three teams have already booked their place for the competition. Holders AS FAR of Morocco, Kawempe Muslim Ladies of Uganda from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa representing the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) 

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