Harambee Starlets eye big win against South Sudan in CECAFA clash

Harambee Starlets duo Diana Wacera (L) celebrates with Violet Nanjala after Kenya's 4-0 win over Uganda at the ongoing Cecafa Senior Women's Challenge Cup in Tanzania. [Harambee Starlets, X]

Harambee Starlets will be hunting for more goals when they play the tournament's punching bags, South Sudan, today from 4 pm as the hunt for the CECAFA Senior Women's Championship title continues in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

South Sudan has conceded nine goals in their two matches played against Uganda (lost 5-0) and Tanzania (lost 4-0), results that give Kenya an upper hand if their bright start to this year's tournament is anything to go by.

On Tuesday, Harambee Starlets maintained their perfect start after thrashing arch-rivals and defending champions Uganda Crested Cranes 4-0 at Aazam Complex.

Diana Wacera put Kenya ahead in the 18th minute before captain Dorcas Shikobe made it 2-0 eight minutes later.

Violet Nanjala then ensured the Beldine Odemba charges went into the break with a healthy 3-0 lead after netting the third goal in the 28th minute.

Martha Emedot rounded off the win for Kenya late in the second half as Harambee Starlets won 4-0.

Speaking after the match, Harambee Starlets assistant coach Godfrey Oduor said the team's mental strength and competitiveness have helped Kenya bag two wins.

"First, I think our goalkeeper gave us the win today because she made a great save from the first chance of the game, which made the difference.

Credit to her for today's win, and thanks also to the goalkeepers' trainers-they're doing a great job," Oduor said, praising goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.

Last Sunday, Kenya got off to a perfect start when they saw off Burundi 3-0. Martha Amunyole scored a brace before Faith Mboya sealed the win.

"We used to play football just for fun, but we are changing that to take things more seriously and help the players understand that we are here for serious work," said the former KCB tactician.

Oduor, who joined the Beldine Odemba backroom staff last week, said they are not letting anything slip ahead of their match against South Sudan.

"We played really well against Uganda. We need to maintain the same and not underrate anyone because our aim remains to get to the final," he added.

Tanzania sits at the top with six points, the same as Kenya. However, they are ahead with a superior goal difference of 10 goals.

Kenya has seven goals. Tanzania hammered Burundi 6-0, adding to their opening day 4-0 win over South Sudan.

The tournament is played in a round-robin format, and the team that finishes top after four matches will be crowned champions on Saturday.