Starlets take on Crested Cranes in Afcon qualifier

Harambee starlets players walk off the pitch during their women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier first round first leg match on April 4, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Cellestine Olilo

Editor, My Network

What you need to know:

  • The Kenyan girls carry a 1-0 advantage from the first leg clash which was played on Wednesday in Machakos.
  • Starlets will be looking to reach the second round.
  • Should Starlets finish the job against Uganda on Sunday, the team will advance to the second and final stage of qualifiers where they will face Equatorial Guinea.

Harambee Starlets will be out to complete the job when they take on Uganda’s Crested Cranes in the return leg of the first round of their 2018 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at StarTimes Stadium in Kampala.

The Kenyan girls carry a 1-0 advantage from the first leg clash which was played on Wednesday in Machakos, and will be looking to reach the second round. Should Starlets finish the job against Uganda on Sunday, the team will advance to the second and final stage of qualifiers where they will face Equatorial Guinea.

The team is currently under the tutelage of former Sofapaka coach David Ouma, who took over from Richard Kanyi a fortnight ago in a shock move by the federation.

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Kanyi had guided the team to fourth place finish in the Cosafa tournament in Zimbabwe before leading the team to a 3-0 win over Zambia in a friendly match two weeks ago prior to his departure.

His replacement Ouma is no stranger to such competitions. It is Ouma who helped the team qualify for the 2016 Afcon finals for the first time.

The former Sofapaka coach will be without forward Esse Akida, who has been excused from the squad due to academic commitments.

Ouma will look to Corazon Aquino, Mwanahalima Adam and newbie Cynthia Shilatswo for the goals against Uganda.

“I noticed in the first leg that Uganda are fond of physical play, so I expect a lot of that when they are at home. The good thing is that we are better in such kind of play,” Ouma said.

The Uganda “She-Cranes” are currently under the tutelage of coach Farida Bulega, whose only complaint ahead of the match has been her team’s defence.

Bulega is missing the services of Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) reigning female player of the year Fazilah Ikwaput, Fufa Women Cup MVP Ritah Nabbosa and veteran Sandra Nabweteme who are in India and USA respectively for separate professional stints.

She has been pairing of Shadia Nankya and Yudaya Nakayenze in central defence while Grace Aluka and Viola Namuddu play as fullbacks.

“We had very limited time with the national team but I’m happy that the players are fitter and lighter now. If we get it right in defence, we can win at home,” she said.

The women’s Afcon finals will be held in Ghana between November 17 and December 1.

Starlets squad:

Goalkeepers: Pauline Atieno, Brenda Achieng, Maureen Shimuli

Defenders: Wendy Achieng, Dorcas Sikobe, Dorris Anyango, Elizabeth Ambogo, Lilian Adera

Midfielders: Cheris Avilia, Carolyne Kiget, Sheryl Angachi, Corazone Aquino, Carolyne Anyango, Pauline Musungu

Forwards: Mwanahalima Adam, Juliet Auma, Mercy Achieng, Phoebe Owiti, Neddy Atieno, Cynthia Shilwatso

Crested Cranes:

Goalkeepers: Ruth Aturo, Daisy Nakaziro, Cissy Nakiguba

Defenders: Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Gladys Nakito, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze

Midfielders: Shakirah Mutibwa, Norah Alupo, Damali Matama, Tracy Akirol Jones, Spencer Nakacwa, Aisia Nakibuuka, Winnie Babirye, Christine Nambirigge

Strikers: Hasifa Nasuna (Captain), Shamirah Nalujja, Juliet Nalukenge, Zainah Namuleme

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