Chacha's return to boost Harambee Starlets against Banyana

KENYA AND BOTSWANA OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS Kenya's Tabaka Chacha, left, control the ball from Botswana's Kesegofeste Mochawe at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos. PHOTO/ Jonah Onyango.

National women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, has been boosted by the return of veteran midfielder Tabaka Chacha ahead of their second leg of the third round of Rio 2016 against Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Sunday.

Chacha was instrumental during the second round against the she-Zebras of Botswana in both legs.

Chacha had a knock during a friendly match against Women Premier League champions Thika Queens and missed the first leg in Johannesburg.

Caroline Anyango, who had a knock in South Africa, has also resumed training.

Head coach David Ouma said it is a big boost because she will bring in the much-needed experience.

“This is a good sign for us as we take on South Africa. We will play against a very experienced side and we will need Chacha’s services,” said Ouma.

At the same time, Ouma has released two players, Jennifer Nyangaresi and Maurine Shimuli, both goalkeepers and recalled Samatha Akinyi in the same position.

“We are looking for performance at this stage of the qualifiers. We don’t have another option but to win. We need to make sure we don’t concede at any cost,” said Ouma.

Ouma intimated the fitness level of the team is good, saying they are working on technical issues.

Starlets will play a friendly match today at Nyayo National Stadium from 9am against Trans Nzoia combined where Ouma will select his possible starting line-up for the weekend match.

“We had 47 per cent  possession in our first leg match and are looking to improve and possibly win the second leg.

We are going to bridge this gap because we will be playing at home and this will give us confidence. Although we will be playing under pressure, we want to display a good match with the support of the home crowd,” he said.

Ouma, who also doubles up as Sofapaka assistant coach, is calling on well-wishers to come on board and support the girls in any way before the match.