Khalifah Honored for 25 Years of Dedication to Women's Football

Ayub Khalifah, a dedicated coach and Technical Drawing teacher at Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, has been celebrated with a Real Star Award for his enduring impact on Ugandan women’s football. Khalifah’s 25-year journey has been marked by consistent success, guiding Kawempe Muslim to numerous titles, including eight Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) championships and three Federation of East African Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) titles.

His influence extends beyond the school level, with Kawempe Muslim Ladies securing six top-flight league championships in the Fufa Women Super League. Khalifah also boasts a significant international coaching record, having led the Uganda U17 women’s national team to Cosafa and Cecafa titles in 2019. He was instrumental in Kawempe Muslim’s recent historic achievement of winning the Cecafa qualifiers in Kigali, marking the first time a Ugandan club has claimed this regional title and earned a spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Khalifah emphasizes a parental approach to coaching, focusing on discipline, care, and fostering a sense of hope and improvement among his players. This philosophy has nurtured numerous talents, including Agnes Nabukenya, a key player who scored crucial goals in the Cecafa tournament and was also honored at the Real Star Awards. Nabukenya’s success is a testament to Khalifah’s long-term vision and dedication to elevating women’s football in Uganda.

This recognition underscores Khalifah’s profound contribution to the sport, developing not only winning teams but also instilling valuable life lessons and fostering the growth of female athletes who go on to represent their country at various levels. His unwavering commitment has truly borne significant fruit for Ugandan women’s football.