Harambee Starlets gear up for Africa qualifiers

Harambee Starlets custodian Judith Osimbo in action during a recovery training session at Camp Toyoyo stadium, Jericho in Nairobi on February 28, 2020. They are preparing for the upcoming Turkish Women's Cup and 2021 AWCON Qualifiers. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Starters coach David Ouma believes the upcoming Turkish Women Cup Invitational tournament (March 2-11), will offer a perfect training ground for his team ahead of next month’s two-legged African Women Cup of Nations qualifier match against Tanzania.

Starlets, who have been in a residential camp at Kasarani Stadium for over a week, are expected to depart for Turkey on Tuesday morning.

Kenya will kick off their campaign on Wednesday with a tie against Northern Ireland B before taking on Chile on Saturday.

The Cecafa champions will then battle Africa giants Ghana in their final match of the preliminary round on March 10.

The other teams in the tournament include hosts Turkey, Hungary, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Romania, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

And with a couple of his regular players led by Annedy Kundu, Ruth Ingotsi (Lakatamia FC-Cyprus), Corazone Aquino (Atletico Ouriense-Portugal) and Cynthia Shilwatso who recently completed their dream moves to the Spanish top tier side EDF Logrono unavailable, Ouma expects to give the new call ups a chance.

Miriam Lutomia (Falling Waters), Cynthia Libondo (Trans Nzoia Falcons), Stella Anyango-Nauru West Queens), Sylvia Makungu (Kariobangi North Girls), Stella Ahono (Zetech Sparks), Diana Hashina (Acakoro) are all in contention for their national team debuts. The final 21-member squad is set to be named tomorrow.

“This tournament will give us an opportunity to see the competitiveness of these players we’ve brought in ahead of the Tanzania match.

“They can only try out in these type of tournaments before I get the best team for the Qualifiers,” Ouma said.

“It will help me to gauge their competitiveness levels and mental strength before the Tanzania match.”

Though captain Dorcas Shikobe admitted that the team will heavily miss the experience of Kundu, Aquino, Ingotsi and Shilwatso, she is confident the new call ups will deliver.

“Definitely those four players are very important to us, but the new calls are equally up to the task.

“Everybody is ready and I’m confident we will do well in Turkey,” Shikobe said.

Meanwhile, the FKF Women Premier League will be played in two zones (A and B) this season.

This was resolved during Tuesday’s preseason meeting at the federation’s Goal Project offices.

Zone A will comprise Ulinzi Starlets, Gaspo Women, Kibera Girls Soccer Academy, Thika Queens, Kayole Starlet, Zetech Sparks, Makolanders, and Mathare United Women.

Champions Vihiga Queens headlines Zone B alongside Wadadia,  Nakuru West Queens, Oserian Ladies, Kisumu All Starlets, Trans Nzoia Falcons, SEP Oyugis, and Eldoret Falcons.

The Zonal League is expected to kick off next weekend.

The players will however be hoping that the league will have a sponsor.