⚽️ UAE Womens Cup Semi Final
📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
📍 Abu Dhabi
The 2026 season marks a historic milestone for women’s football in the UAE, as the country hosts the inaugural UAE Women’s Cup. With clubs from across the country competing, the competition has quickly become a landmark moment for the growth and visibility of the women’s game.
For Banaat FC, the journey has now reached its biggest stage yet: the final.
Building Momentum Before Kick-Off
Preparation for the semi-final began well before kick-off. The Banaat FC squad gathered earlier in the day at the Banaat FC Hub in Alserkal Avenue, where Assistant Head Coach Kevin de Palma led the team’s pre-match tactical meeting ahead of the decisive fixture. The session focused on match strategy, positioning, and reinforcing the attacking momentum that has defined Banaat FC’s run throughout the season.
Following the team talk, the squad travelled together by team bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. With the match taking place during Ramadan, the team made a stop along the journey to break their fast and share Iftar together — a meaningful moment of reflection and camaraderie before arriving in Abu Dhabi for the semi-final showdown.
A Strong Performance on the Pitch
That unity translated directly onto the pitch on Saturday, 14th March 2026, as Banaat FC delivered a commanding 6–1 victory over Mubadara in the semi-final. Much of this success reflected the strategic guidance of Head Coach Bacary Sagna, whose experience and leadership were evident in the team’s discipline, attacking cohesion, and control of the game.
Banaat FC wasted little time asserting control. The breakthrough came early in the 9th minute, when Leen Al Haj struck a well-placed free kick to give Banaat the lead. Just minutes later, the momentum continued as Captain Melanie Hoekstra doubled the advantage, finishing confidently to put Banaat FC firmly in control.
Several standout performances defined the match. Wuyah Sao, Banaat FC’s first international signing, played a key role in the team’s attacking dominance. The Sierra Leone international striker, who arrived from Mogbwemo Queens FC where she finished as the second top scorer in her league, consistently created goal-scoring opportunities throughout the game while also scoring twice herself.
Another notable performance came from Stella Sky Fedyunin, who typically plays as a midfielder or forward but has recently been deployed as a defender for the UAE Women’s National Team. The semi-final marked her first appearance in defence for Banaat FC, and she delivered a composed and confident performance at the back, helping the team maintain control throughout the match.
Between the posts, goalkeeper Amna Hussein delivered another dependable display in her fifth game of the season. She made several key saves and remained composed under pressure, conceding only once in the second half while helping secure the convincing victory.
The match also saw strong contributions from Banaat FC’s core players, with several delivering solid, reliable performances that helped maintain the team’s momentum and confidence throughout the semi-final — all under the guidance and strategic direction of Coach Sagna, whose influence continues to be central to the team’s current cup run.
Banaat FC forward Caye Yocor added the final touch to the scoreline after coming on in the 75th minute. Known for her pace, she capped off the team’s performance with a smooth sixth goal in the 87th minute, assisted by Safa Shafi.
Speaking after the match, goalkeeper Amna Hussein emphasized the team’s preparation and control: “Alhamdulilah, no difficulty. We were able to manage everything in the game because we prepared very well for it.” She also confirmed there were no moments of doubt during the match, reflecting the confidence and composure within the squad.
One Step Away
With the semi-final victory secured, Banaat FC now advances to the UAE Women’s Cup Final, where they will face Dubai rivals Precision Women FC in what promises to be an exciting Dubai Derby.
The final, scheduled for late May, will bring together two of the competition’s strongest teams for the chance to become the first champions in the history of the UAE Women’s Cup.
Written by Lily Hardman, Banaat FC Junior Intern
