Harambee Starlets coach Charles Okere has got some big decisions to make ahead of facing South Sudan on Wednesday afternoon in an African Women's Cup of Nations qualifier first leg match at Nyayo Stadium.
The gaffer is facing a selection dilemma in regards to who starts in goal. Undisputed first choice Annet Kundu and Vihiga Queens' Lilian Awuor are all pushing to start. Awuor guided Vihiga to book the CAF Champions League slot while Kundu, who remains unattached, has not played competitive football for the last five months.
Pauline Katharu cannot be overlooked as she was the reason why Kibera Soccer avoided relegation while Maureen Shimuli is fresh from guiding Ulinzi Starlets to the FKF Women's Cup.
Okere will make do without first-choice centre-back pairing of Ruth Ingosi and Dorcas Shikobe, making it hard to predict who starts at the heart of the defence.
Enez Mango hopes to kick-start her Starlets career and earn her first cap after failing to make the final list in past attempts despite being central to Vihiga's success.
It is in attack where the tactician is scratching his head. Tereza Engesha, Jentrix Shikangwa and Mwanahalima Adam have played crucial roles for both club and country but it is hard to overlook Ulinzi's Neddy Atieno.
Atieno last played for Starlets in 2017. And while Violet Wanyonyi and Elizabeth Wambui bring pace, Lucy Mukhwana has proven a handful for defenders and Janet Bundi is unplayable at her best and so it remains to be seen who makes the starting line up.
Starlets captain Corazon Aquino has warned her teammates not to underrate their opponents. The Gaspo midfield maestro, who has been handed the armband in the absence of Shikobe, challenged Starlets to execute what they have been taught in training.
Aquino insists the team must channel all their energy to beating their opponent, which will put them in the driving seat ahead of the second leg on October 23 at the same venue.
"We have to take Bright Stars seriously because we have never played them and we do not know what to expect from them," Aquino said.
"It's time for the players to implement what they learnt in training. We also need to win to stand a chance in the reverse fixture. It's one match at a time but winning is all that matters. I feel absolutely zero pressure as I prepare to lead this team."
Meanwhile, former Starlets captain Doreen Nbwire has been appointed to Fifa's Technical Advisory Group on the growth and development of the women's game. The TAG is headed by former United States women's national team coach Jillian Ellis.
