By Rebecca Magoma
Harambee Starlets will take on Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Queens in the finals of the Cecafa Women Tournament today from 3:30pm at the Technical Centre Grounds in Jinja, Uganda.
Harambee Starlets defeated a stubborn Ethiopia 3-2 in the first semi-final while Kilimanjaro Queens picked a resounding 4-1 win over the hosts, Uganda’s Crested Cranes in the second semi-final on Sunday evening.
Kenya and Tanzania finished top of Group A and B unbeaten in the tournament and this encounter will be a test for the David Ouma-coached side who are preparing for the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals that is set for 19 November to 3 December in Cameroon’s two cities of Limbe and Yaunde.
Ouma will definitely make some changes in the squad especially in the midfield where Corazone Aquino and Elizabeth Ambogo who came in as substitutes in their match against Ethiopia.
“I am definitely going to make some changes in the squad for our match against Tanzania. The changes I made during our semi-final match worked very well but then I can’t say who will come in or go out for now because Ambogo suffered a knock,” Ouma told Feverpitch.
Aquino and Ambogo who replaced Doreen Nabwire and Cheris Avilia some minutes to the end of the first half changed the match completely to give Kenya a win.
The attack will be led by wingers Neddy Atieno and Mary Kinuthia who played a midfield role in the Ethiopia match expected to return to her role in this match while red hot Esse Akida who has scored five goals so far in the tournament will be responsible of netting the goals as usual.
Dorcas Shikobe,Ann Aluoch,Irene Ogutu and Wendy Achieng will be standing tall at the defense line. The quartet has let only two goals against Ethiopia in the semi-final match.
But Kenya will have to contend with Sebastian Nkoma’s forward and captain Asha Rashid who has scored three goals from three matches and Stumai Abdalla who was a thorn in the flesh of Uganda’s defense during their semi-final match. Abdalla was on the score sheet in their 4-1 win.
At the same time,Uganda will take on Ethiopia in the third place-play off from 1:30pm.
