Harambee Starlets make mince meat of Morocco’s Wydad
Football
By
Rebecca Jebet
| Oct 17, 2016
National women’s football team, Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma says their strategies worked well following their 8-1 win over Wydad Casablanca football club at the Moroccan Football Federation Grounds in Morocco.
The national side is in Morocco for a series of friendly matches in preparation for their maiden appearance in the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals set for Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.
In their commanding win, Christine Nafula grabbed a hat trick with Esse Akida, Cheris Avilia, Nedy Atieno, Mary Kinuthia and Corazone Aquino each finding the back of the net once. Harambee Starlets will play against CAK Khenifra football club today before returning to continue with preparations a friendly against against AWCON hosts Cameroon.
“We are glad for the win here being our first game after CECAFA finals tournament. We had to improve on the team’s tactical patterns of play which had a bearing on progress play and maximum space utilization.
“This had to involve switching of players in respective key positions to assert the patterns,” coach Ouma said.
“For instance, I started Elizabeth Ambogo at the centre back position because I wanted to see how she works alongside Dorcas Shikobe. This move destabilised our opponents despite their high pressing strategy,” he said.
In the Wydad friendly match Ouma gave Nyakach High School and Vihiga Queens goalkeeper her maiden appearance in the national team ahead of experienced Samatha Akinyi and Vivian Akinyi, a move that pleased team manager Doreen Nabwire.
“Awour was impressive in that match and I can say there is vast growth in the team but we still have to work on little things.
“Tactically, the team has improved greatly in terms of buildup, creating chances and utilising the chances,” she said.
Nabwire added that the friendly matches are instrumental in their preparations for the continental show-piece.
Starlets have been pooled in Group B with reigning continental champions Nigeria, Ghana and Mali.