Kenya Police Bullets are one victory away from ending Kenya's wait for a return to the CAF Women's Champions League after a 5-0 demolition of South Sudan's Yei Joint Stars.
The win booked them a place in Monday's CECAFA qualifiers final in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Kenyan champions will face Uganda's Kawempe Muslim Ladies at Kigali Pelé Stadium, with the winner claiming CECAFA's sole qualifying ticket to the sixth edition of the continental competition.
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Defending African champions AS FAR have already secured their place in the final tournament, which will also feature the six zonal winners and a host nation representative.
The final represents Bullets' another opportunity to break through after falling short in previous regional campaigns and become the first Kenyan club to reach the continental finals since Vihiga Queens qualified for the inaugural edition in 2021.
Bullet's Assistant coach Javier Boros made the team's intentions clear after Saturday's emphatic semi-final victory.
“We have one more game to go, and we are going to win it,” Boros said.
Boros hailed his players for the authority they showed against Yei Joint Stars, who had reached the knockout stage for the first time after an unbeaten Group A campaign.
“I want to congratulate the team because from the very first minute we played a very complete game. We showed character, personality and the quality that we have. Congratulations to the team, and I am happy to be in the final,” he added.
The law enforcers seized control early, with Tereza Obunyu opening the scoring in the 10th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse.
Yei Joint Stars briefly threatened a response through captain Sumaya Malili Taban Noah, whose effort went wide, before Police Bullets tightened their grip on the contest.
Martha Amunyolet doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, giving the Kenyan champions a comfortable 2-0 lead at the interval.
The second half followed the same pattern as Police Bullets continued to dictate proceedings.
Lorna Nyabuto extended the lead before Amunyolet completed her brace from the penalty spot, while substitute Rebecca Akinyi Okwaro added the fifth late in the match to complete the rout.
Amunyolet's influence once again underlined the attacking depth available to the Kenyan champions, with Boros insisting the team's goalscoring threat has been built on contributions from across the pitch.
“The strikers are doing well, and the midfielders are providing those balls. As you know, Martha is a midfielder, and the whole team is contributing,” said Boros.
Police Bullets have now put together a perfect run to the final, beginning with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania's Simba Queens before beating Burundi's Top Girls Academy 3-1 to secure a place in the last four.
Faith Mboya and Amunyolet were on target against Simba, while Amunyolet scored twice against Top Girls as the Kenyan side maintained its momentum.
Their biggest test now awaits against a Kawempe Muslim side that reached the final after a convincing 3-0 victory over Ethiopia's Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Saturday's other semi-final. Kawempe had also impressed in the group phase, defeating CBE before thrashing Djibouti's FC Ujeco 8-0.
Monday's final therefore offers Police Bullets more than a regional trophy. Victory would secure Kenya's return to the CAF Women's Champions League stage and give the reigning Kenyan champions the continental breakthrough that has remained elusive despite their growing domestic dominance.
