Mwanahalima Adam is set to lead the line when Harambee Starlets face Uganda in the opening match of the 2018 CECAFA Women Championships.
Adam will have Neddy Atieno and Vihiga Queens forward Terry Engesha for company upfront, while the dependable back four of Lilian Adera, Wendy Achieng, Dorcas Shikobe and Elizabeth Ambogo has been entrusted with the defensive duties.
The match is set to kick off at 3 pm EAT at the Stade Régional de Nyamirambo in Kigali, Rwanda.
Starlets, who have been in camp since July 7, 2018, safely arrived in Rwanda on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, ahead of the five-nation tournament, set to be played in a round-robin format.
Coach David Ouma has exuded confidence in his charges abilities, noting that they are ready for the task and will give their best.
“We are the team to beat in this tournament. Our opponents will try and make it hard for us but with the preparations we have had, I am confident that we will post positive results,” said Ouma, who led the team to a runners-up finish in the 2016 edition held in Uganda.
The two sides’ most recent encounter was in an Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) Qualifier in April 2018, which Kenya won 1-0 on aggregate. The first leg had ended 1-0 in favor of the Starlets in Machakos with the second leg ending in a barren stalemate in Kampala.
The Kenyan side has never lost to Uganda in the past meetings. They first faced off in July 2016 and Kenya got a 4-0 win in the tie played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. The sides then met in the CECAFA Women Championship in Uganda and Kenyan once again won 4-0.
In those meeting, Kenyan has scored nine goals and has never conceded. David Ouma charges have only failed to score once in the clashes. They will be hoping to replicate the 2016 performance that saw them reach the finals only to lose to Tanzania.
The Kenyan’s campaign in 2016 campaign Kenyan was in Pool A and their impressive run saw them top Pool A. The side started off with a 4-0 win, whipped Burundi 4-0 and whipped Zanzibar 11-0. In the Semifinals the side picked a 3-2 win.
The side got a 2-1 loss in the finals against Tanzania but Esse Akida walked away with the golden boot after scoring six goals. The 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship was the second edition of the association football tournament for women’s national teams in the East African region. The first edition was hosted in 1986 and won by Zanzibar.
It was held in Jinja, Uganda between 11 and 20 September 2016. There were no sponsors besides the Uganda Football Association.
The Uganda head coach Faridah Bulega excitement was noticeable after the training which she later shared with fufa.co.ug that the girls are in fine shape.
“I have a reason to smile due to the positive reaction from my players. We have been dealing with shooting from a distance and dead ball situations to cub the goal drought from our team. In this situation, we also chose who is to take responsibility when the team wins set pieces” said Bulega.
Five teams are taking part in this year’s competition that is Rwanda (hosts), Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ugandag XI
Poline Atieno (GK), Lilian Adera, Dorcas Shikobe, Elizabeth Ambogo, Wendy Achieng, Cheris Avilia, Cynthia Shilwatso, Mercy Achieng, Mwanahalima Adam, Neddy Atieno, Terry Engesha
Substitutes
Monica Karambu (GK), Phelistus Kadari, Vivian Nasaka, Anita Adongo, Ruth Ingosi, Esse Akida, Martha Amunyolete
Crested Cranes starting XI Ruth Aturo (GK) 18, Viola Namuddu 6 Grace Aluka 16 Shadia Nankya 5 Yudaya Nakayenze 7 Tracy Jones Akiror (Capt) 8 Lilian Mutuuzo 17 Phiona Nabbumba 13 Ziana Namuleme 10 Juliet Nalukenge 9 Norah Alupo 15
Substitutes: Daisy Nakaziro (GK) 19, Aisha Namukisa 2, Bridget Nabisalu 4, Namwase Monica 11, Daniela Favour Nambatya 12, Winnie Babirye 14, Esther Naluyimba 3