HEED MY CALL: Harambee Starlets coach calls for concentration against Egypt

Head Coach Harambee Starlet David Ouma instruct players during Friendly match with Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, Oct 22, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

As national women‘s football team Harambee Starlets prepares to take on Egypt in an international friendly today at Kasarani Stadium from 2:30pm, head coach David Ouma has called for utmost concentration.

Of foremost importance will be for the Kenyans to seek revenge against the Egyptians following their 1-0 loss last year at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The match will also help both sides gauge their squads ahead of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals set for Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.

Kenya is in Group B alongside champions Nigeria, Ghana and Mali, while Egypt is in Group A together with hosts Cameroon, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The Kenya versus Egypt match was earlier scheduled for 7pm, but was brought forward to 2:30pm following a request by the visitors. According to a statement sent by Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the Egyptians wanted the kickoff changed for them to leave in the evening.

“FKF wishes to inform the populace that the Harambee Starlets international friendly against Egypt, originally scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, October 28, 2016 at 7pm, has been rescheduled to 2:30pm at the same venue,”

Egypt head coach Mohamed Mustafa said he will have his best team for the fixture, different from the squad he fielded in their 1-1 draw against women Premier League side Thika Queens on Thursday evening at Kasarani.

“The Friday game will be a good one considering we will be playing a national team. Kenya has a good team, but we will play our main team in this match. This will be a good game and I think the team with high spirits will take the day,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nairobi Women’s Hospital will tomorrow host the Harambee Starlets in a special Breast Cancer Awareness Football Tournament at the Kariobangi North Primary School.

The event, a partnership between the hospital and the Football Kenya Federation, will see football lovers and enthusiasts join hands with the national team in increasing breast cancer awareness and sensitising people on best health practices. The hospital will offer free cancer screening at the venue.