Ambitious Ouma sets high target for Starlets

Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma will be eyeing the semi-final stage at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations slated for November 17 to December 1 in Ghana.

It will be a tall order for Kenya who finished bottom of Group "B" without a point in their maiden appearance in 2016 where they lost 4-0 to Nigeria and suffered identical 3-1 defeats at the hands of Ghana and Mali.

Ouma has said he will approach all the group matches like finals. Kenya is in Group "B" alongside Zambia, three-time silver medallists South Africa as well as defending and eight-time champions Nigeria. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semis.

“I must admit it’s not an easy group. Nigeria have many years of experience and are the defending champions. South Africa, too, have been at the Cup of Nations for many years and finished in the medal bracket.

''We have been evolving just like Zambia and we are equally good. It’s a very tight group, but we will give our best. Good preparation is crucial and each point counts,” Ouma told Nation Sport.

According to Ouma, the growing foreign legion in his team places them in good stead of at least reaching the knock out stage and challenging the favourites for a place in the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup.

The top three teams will qualify for the global showpiece to be held in France next year.

“Our intention is to come out of the group. We will take one match at a time. In 2016, the team was naïve and lacked experience. We did not have any professional players in the squad, but now we have five.

"We will play each match like a final as we not only target to reach semi-finals but also aspire to be at the World Cup," added an optimistic Ouma.

Sweden based quartet of Mary Kinuthia, Christine Nafula, Corazone Aquino and Teresa Engesha as well as Israel-based Esse Akida are expected to play a leading role for Starlets in Ghana.

Wendy Achieng', Dorcas Sikobe and Cheris Salano are some of the local based players expected to make a second appearance at the Awcon.

AWCON 2018 FIXTURES (all in Kenyan time)
November 17
Ghana vs. Algeria (Accra Stadium, 6.30pm, Group A)
Mali vs Cameroon (Accra Stadium, 9.30pm, Group A)
November 18
Nigeria vs South Africa (Cape Coast Stadium, 6.30pm, Group B)
Zambia vs Kenya (Cape Coast Stadium, 9.30pm, Group B)
November 20
Ghana vs Mali (Accra Stadium, 6.30pm, Group A)
Cameroon vs Algeria (Accra Stadium, 9.30pm, Group A)
November 21
Nigeria vs Zambia (Cape Coast Stadium, 6.30pm, Group B)
Kenya vs South Africa (Cape Coast Stadium, 9.30pm, Group B)
November 23
Cameroon vs Ghana (Accra Stadium, 7.00pm, Group A)
Algeria vs Mali (Accra Stadium, 7.00pm, Group A)
November 24
Kenya vs Nigeria (Cape Coast Stadium, 7.00pm, Group B)
South Africa vs Zambia (Cape Coast Stadium, 7.00pm, Group B)
November 27
1st Group A vs 2nd Group B (Accra Stadium, 6.30pm, semi-final)
1st Group B vs 2nd Group A (Cape Coast Stadium, 9.30pm, semi-final)
November 30
Third-place play-off (Cape Coast Stadium, 7.00pm)
December 1
Final (Accra Stadium, 7.00pm)