Ugandan football coach Charles Ayiekoh Lukula, kick-started his competitive tenure at Simba Queens FC with defeat in the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League.

In what was also the club’s maiden game in the continental showpiece, the Queens lost 1-0 to hosts Asfar FC in the first Group A game on Sunday at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan Rabat.

Ibtissam Jraidi’s second-half strike condemned the CECAFA representatives at the hands of the Moroccan outfit.

Meanwhile, Ayiekoh will be gutted as his side put up a spirited display, against a more experienced team, who also had the home advantage.

While Simba was playing just their first ever game in the competition, Asfar were featuring in their second as they appeared in the 2021 edition as well.

Then, the Moroccans finished second in Group B with four points, only behind Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies who gathered seven, before losing the semi-final to Hasaacas Ladies 2-1.

In the other group encounter, Zambia’s Green Buffaloes debuted their campaign with a 4-0 thumping of Liberia’s Determine Girls on Sunday.

The former lead proceedings with a superior goal difference over second-placed Asfar. Simba is placed third as Determine Girls lie rock-bottom with no point apiece.

Simba will take on Determine Girls in their second match on Wednesday, on the same day, Asfar will also entertain Green Buffaloes.