Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma positive ahead of Turkey Tournament

Harambee Starlets players in a training session[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma has expressed confidence that his team will do well in the Turkish Cup tournament that started Tuesday, March 4, 2020.

Starlets who left the country yesterday have been pooled in the same group with Ghana, Chile and Northern Ireland who they will play against for their first match of the tournament.

The team had earlier participated in a four-team tournament in Rongai last weekend before their departure to Turkey.

“We have had one week to brush through our style of play and I am confident we will do well against top opposition,” said Ouma.

 Ouma included five debutants in his 18-member squad including this year’s Chapa Dimba Central region top scorer Jane Njeri. He will be banking on his strikers’ impressive performance before goal to advance into the knock out stage of the competition.

Njeri caught the eyes of Starlets head coach following her outstanding performance in this year’s Central Region Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament, where she was crowned the top scorer after bagging six goals.

The  17-year-old, who plays for non-league side Falling Waters Football Club in Laikipia was delighted by the call up to represent the country and termed the opportunity as a dream come true.

“I never expected it because everyone in the camp was good. I am very happy because playing for Harambee Starlets has been my dream,” said an overjoyed Njeri.

The youngster will have to compete for playing time with Stella Anyango, Purity Ayetu and Mwanahalima Adam who were also named in the final squad.

 Adam relishes the opportunity to come against tougher sides and she is hopeful the team will perform well.

“Coming up against top opposition is enough motivation for us to give a good account of ourselves in Turkey. We’ll give our best and hopefully, we’ll carry the form to our match against Tanzania,” said Adam.

Starlets will revive their rivalry with Tanzania who they thrashed in last year’s CECAFA finals for the 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

 Ouma, will seek to use the competition as a build-up for the qualifiers.

“This tournament has come at an opportune time for me to gauge my players ahead of the upcoming qualifiers,” said Ouma.