Starlets in battle for a spot in final of Cecafa event

Kenya Harambee Starlets' Vivian Odhiambo (left) and Mary Mwakapila of Zambia during their first leg of Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifier match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday, Nov 8, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma has urged his players not to get carried away by their incredible preliminary round performance but instead focus on today's (2 pm) semifinal tie against Burundi at Chamazi Stadium, Dar es Salaam.

Starlets have had an impressive run in the Cecafa women's championship-winning all their three Group B matches to book a date with Group A runners up Burundi in the last four.

Kenya overcame their arch-rivals Uganda 3-0 on Thursday to finish top of the group. Ouma's troops had thrashed Djibouti 12-0 and Ethiopia 2-0 in their first two matches.

Champions Twiga Stars of Tanzania will tackle Uganda's Crested Cranes in today's second semifinal at 4.30 pm at the same venue.

Having lost 2-1 to Tanzania in the final of the last edition held in 2016 in Uganda, the Starlets scored two early goals through Mercy Airo and Mwanahalima Adam before Jentrix Shikangwa extended the lead in injury time to ensure Kenya don't meet their newfound rivals in the last four.

Though Starlets have only played ten matches in less than three months, Ouma is impressed with his players' progress.

"Yes, I'm proud of my players' performance but that doesn't mean we should sit on our laurels. Instead we should continue working hard until we achieve our target of winning the title," said Ouma.

"Team-building is a process and in this case, we have only played ten matches together, but the pace of improvement from these players is amazing. They have been improving game after game.
"Now, we have to put our group performances behind us and focus on the semifinal match against Burundi. This is a knockout fixture and needs great recovery for the players."

Reflecting on the Uganda win, the former Sofapaka and Posta Rangers tactician said: "I would like to thank the determination of my players in our match against Uganda. Of course, we knew what was at stake but the girls gave their best.

"We managed to contain Uganda very well and scored an early goal which gave us a lot of confidence. We are now looking forward to the Burundi game."

Burundi assistant coach Belyse Ininahhazwe was also impressed with his team's display after beating South Sudan 3-0 to secure the last semis slot.

"We have already achieved our first objective of making it through the group for the knock out stage. We need to improve and also learn to take our chances because it is now the knock out stage,” Ininahhazwe said.