Starlets open Awcon campaign against Zambia

Harambee Starlets will start their 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (Awcon) campaign against Shepolopolo of Zambia on November 18.

David Ouma's charges will then face heavyweights Banyana Banyana of South Africa on November 21 and later face defending champions Super Falcons of Nigeria on November 24 in their last Group "B" match.

Despite being the underdogs in this group, Kenya needs at least six points to proceed to the semi-finals. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semis.

Action will start on November 17 with the opening Group "A" match pitting hosts Black Queens against Algeria who are making a return to the tournament. This will be followed by the Mali versus Cameroon game.

Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia are no strangers to Kenya. In the 2016 edition held in Cameroon, Nigeria thrashed the East Africans 4-0 also in Group ‘B’. Kenya finished bottom without a win after suffering identical 3-1 losses at the hands of Ghana and Mali in the first two fixtures.

They lost 4-2 in post-match penalties in their last match against Zambia in the 2017 Cosafa bronze medal match after settling for a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Starlets lost 2-0 on aggregate to South Africa when they last met in the third round qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Starlets will be motivated by the improved kitty from Confederation of African Football (Caf) for the 11th edition of the Awcon. Caf increased prize funds for all of its tournaments starting 2017 through to 2020.

Champions, first and second runners-up will get medals and pocket Sh8 million, Sh4 million and Sh2.5 million respectively as prize money. The top three teams will also represent Africa in the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup which will be held in France from June 7 to July 7.

The fourth-placed team will take home Sh2.5 million. Teams which will finish third in their group will go home Sh2 million richer. Bottom-ranked teams in their groups will also earn Sh2 million.

During the 2016 event, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa finished the tournament in the first four spots and took home Sh5 million, Sh2.5 million, Sh1.5 million and Sh1.5 million, respectively.

Egypt and Mali finished their groups in third place and were rewarded with Sh1 million each, while Kenya and Zimbabwe went home with just over Sh750, 000 each for ranking last in their groups.