Harambee Starlets will begin their quest for the Cecafa women’s championship with a tough fixture against hosts Ugandan when the inaugural regional championship kicks off in Jinja on Sunday.
Burundi, Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda have also confirmed participation. The Kenyans, who leave for Uganda today are confident of getting victory against their regional neighbours having walloped them 4-0 in an international friendly played in Kisumu just over a month ago. Cecafa secretary general, Nicholas Musonye said that pressure from women football stakeholders had led to them to pursue a quick path towards hosting the tournament. The event, he said will especially help particularly the Kenyan women team prepare for next year’s African Nations women Championship that will take place in Cameroon.
“Women football community has been complaining for the better part of the last ten years of being sidelined in Cecafa programs and now they have the opportunity to showcase their potential to a regional audience,” remarked Musonye at a press conference held at the Cecafa secretariat in Nairobi.
Musonye pointed out that the tournament to be held in Jinja presents Kenya with an opportunity to carry out competitive build up for their maiden appearance in a continental competition.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Kenyan women team to use this competition to prepare for Afcon. We are proud that they will be flying the regional flag in Cameroon and that is why we purposefully put Starlets in a four team group to ensure they are adequately prepared.”
