By REBECCA GICHANA and CAF
Kenya’s senior women’s national football team, Starlets, face Rwanda in qualifiers of the 9th edition of 2014 African Championships at the Stade de Kigali at today.
Speaking to FeverPitch from Rwanda on phone, head coach Justine Okiring is plotting a surprise for their guests adding he just want to get the ticket for the finals scheduled on 11-25 October in Namibia.
“We are working on the final touches ahead of the match. The training has been very good with the team’s spirit high. I like the way these girls are dedicated to make the country proud. We have been preparing upon arrival on Wednesday and I can see excellent co-ordination,” said the tactician.
This will be both teams maiden appearance in continental championships after so many years of absence.
The winner from this match will face Africa football powerhouse Nigeria after Sierra Leone withdrew.
Seven slots are up for grabs to join hosts Namibia for the final tournament that also serves as the qualifier for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Rwanda coach Grace Nyinawumuntu, is counting on a convincing win to boost their target in the qualifiers.
“The Kenya game is very important for us and we have prepared adequately for it. We have to win to have a good chance of qualifying. We need to be among of the best teams and we know we can do it, we will work hard and prepare well so that we can be at our best,” the ex-national player told Rwandan New Times.
Second leg matches will take place on the weekend of February 28 to March 2,with winners progressing to the second round to join African champions, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa and Cameroon, who drew a bye at the first round.––rgichana@standardmedia.co.ke
