Nkumba University’s Ladies’ football team, the Beach Girls, are the new African university champions after defeating Guinea-Bissau’s Université Général Lansana Conté de Sonfonia (UGLC) 3-1 in the final of the 12th All African University Games in Cairo, Egypt.
Midfield maestro Shafiga Tamisi was the star of the final, scoring twice, while Cecilia Apiding added the other goal as the Ugandan representatives completed an unbeaten run to continental glory.
UGLC pulled one goal back in the final, but Nkumba held firm to secure the trophy and cap an impressive campaign in Cairo.
The triumph marks a landmark achievement for the Beach Girls, who entered the tournament as Uganda’s representatives with ambitions of competing for honours against universities from across Africa.
Nkumba announced their intentions from the opening match, thrashing German University in Cairo 10-1 in their first fixture.
The Ugandan side were then awarded the points in their second group-stage match after Lagos State University of Nigeria failed to turn up for the fixture. That result sent Nkumba into the knockout stages with their momentum intact.
In the semi-finals, the Beach Girls produced another commanding performance, sweeping aside Nigeria’s Nnamdi Azikiwe University 5-0 to book their place in the final.
They then completed the job against UGLC, scoring three times before conceding a consolation goal to seal a 3-1 victory and the coveted continental title.
Nkumba University Sports Tutor Joseph Muyiira credited the success to preparations that began long before the team arrived in Egypt. “We planned for wins and, yes, we are the African University Ladies’ Football Champions,” Muyiira said.
Muyiira added that the team’s success was the result of a carefully orchestrated campaign rather than a single-match achievement.
The Beach Girls’ victory also gives Uganda a continental title to defend at the next edition of the Federation of International University Games (FISU), scheduled for 2028, with Brazil or China among the proposed hosts.
The final was watched by Ugandans living in Egypt, led by Uganda’s Ambassador to Egypt, Amb. Lt. Gen. Charles Angina, who has followed the team’s campaign during their stay in Cairo.
In 2025, Nkumba University Football Team, the Beach Boys, represented Uganda at the 11th All African University Games that took place in Lagos, Nigeria, but returned empty-handed.
The Beach Girls’ triumph adds another chapter to the university’s growing profile in university sport and delivers a major continental trophy to Uganda.
