Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will take on Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Queens in the finals of the Cecafa Women tournament today from 3.30pm in Jinja, Uganda.
Harambee Starlets defeated a stubborn Ethiopia 3-2 in the first semi-final while Kilimanjaro Queens picked a resounding 4-1 win over the hosts, Uganda’s Crested Cranes, in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Kenya and Tanzania finished top of Group A and B unbeaten and this encounter will be a test for the David Ouma-coached side, who are preparing for the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals set for November 19 to December 3, in Cameroon’s two cities of Limbe and Yaoundé.
Ouma is expected to make some changes in the squad especially in the midfield where Corazon Aquino and Elizabeth Ambogo, who came in as substitutes in their match against Ethiopia, could start.
“I am definitely going to make some changes in the squad for our match against Tanzania. The changes I made during our semi-final match worked very well but then I can’t say who will come in or go out for now because Ambogo suffered a knock,” Ouma told Feverpitch.
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Aquino and Ambogo, who replaced Doreen Nabwire and Cheris Avilia before halftime, changed the match completely to give Kenya the win.
The attack will be led by wingers Neddy Atieno and Mary Kinuthia, who played a midfield role in the Ethiopia match expected to return to her role in this match. Red-hot Esse Akida, who has scored five goals so far in the tournament will be responsible of netting the goals as usual.
Dorcas Shikobe, Ann Aluoch, Irene Ogutu and Wendy Achieng will form the back four.
The quartet has let only two goals against Ethiopia in the semi-final match.
But Kenya will have to contend with Sebastian Nkoma’s forward and captain Asha Rashid, who has scored three goals from three matches and Stumai Abdalla who was a thorn in the flesh of Uganda’s defence during their semi-final match. Abdalla was on the score sheet in their 4-1 win.
Tanzania’s custodian Fatuma Omari has been outstanding at the tournament so far pulling off brave saves and showing confidence between the goalposts so far has conceded only three goals so far.
At the same time, Uganda will take on Ethiopia in the third place-play off from 1.30pm.
