Harambee Starlets lose 2-1 to Tanzania in the final of the CECAFA Women's Championship

The national women's football team, Harambee Starlets lost 2-1 to Tanzania in a fiercely contested final match of the Cecafa Women Championship in Jinja, Uganda.

Mwanahamisi Omari and Stumai Abdalla scored for the victors in the 27th and 44th minute while Christine Nafula slotted home a consolation goal in the 50th minute.

Coach David Ouma made three changes to his squad, restoring custodian Vivian Akinyi and Christine Nafula who did not feature in Harambee Starlets 3-2 win in the semi-final match against Zanzibar on Sunday.

Kenya started on a high forcing Tanzania to concede a corner kick in the fifth minute and was taken by Esse Akida but the ball went out for a goal kick.

Tanzania replied immediately with team captain Asha Rashid coming in with a hard shot that went wide for a goal kick. Tanzania pressed on, but were not able to go past a compact Starlets' defence.

Tanzania dominated the better part of the first half especially in midfield and their efforts were rewarded as slotted home an opener in the 27th minute.

Tanzania pilled more pressure with Irene Ogutu forced to push the ball out for a corner kick.

There was a controversy a minute later with the referee Ann Akoyi and the second assistant Atuhaire Dorcus, both from Uganda, differed in decision making to give Tanzania a goal that extended the lead.

The assistant referee flagged down Abdalla for offside, but the referee waved the play on.

Kenyan players surrounded the referee protesting the goal a situation that forced head coach David Ouma to rush to the field to calm down the tension.

Kenya came back stronger in the second half and their efforts were rewarded as Christine Nafula pulled a goal back in the 50th minute.

Ouma was forced to make changes six minutes later with Nafula paving way for her elder sister Doreen Nabwire, who lasted only few minutes as she was injured and her place taken by Cheris Avilia.

Elizabeth Ambogo came in for Corazone Aquino.

Despite mounting sustained pressure, Tanzania held of the challenge to see out the fiery clash and in the process bag the inaugural Cecafa Women Championship title.