Kenya's representatives Vihiga Queens succumbed 4-2 to Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in their opening match of Cecafa Champions League qualifiers at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Medina Tadesse scored a hat-trick for the winners while Vihiga's Maureen Achieng bagged a brace for the hosts.
The visitors' opened their account in the eighth minute through Tedesse but Queens responded three minutes later via Achieng. The diminutive attacking midfielder tapped in after being put on goal by Tereza Engesha.
Tadesse was a constant threat for Vihiga and scored the second goal for the bankers to regain their lead. Tadesse was back on the mark in the 32nd minute when he rounded off Vihiga keeper Lilian Awuor for the second goal. Six minutes later, Achieng restored parity to go to the break tied 2-2.
Vihiga were the brighter side after the restart as Jentrix Shikangwa rattled the crossbar in the 63rd minute. She thought she had given Vihiga the lead a minute later only to be denied by the hawk eyed goalkeeper.
Tadesse completed her hat-trick in the 71st minute before captain Lauza Abera got herself on the score sheet with a fourth in the 81st minute.
In the earlier match, South Sudan's Yei Join Stars dug deep to defeat Zanzibar's New Generation 2-1. Mourine Joseph and Deborah Alworonga gave Sudan a 2-0 half-time lead with goals in the 14th and 39th minutes respectively.
Ali Hawa's 47th-minute goal halved the deficit but wasn't enough to get a result. Queens meet Zanzibar's New Generation on Wednesday as the bankers take on Yei Join Stars. Both matches will be played at Kasarani.
