Harambee Starlets return home to heroic welcome
Brave Harambee Starlets made a triumphant return to the country on Wednesday from Uganda where they emerged runners-up in the Cecafa Women Championship.
Dressed in resplendent red and black track suits, the team, led by federation chief Nick Mwendwa, were given a heroic welcome by traditional dancers and a group of youths.
From the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a carnival atmosphere greeted their return, the girls were driven on an open-top-truck with blaring music as they headed to Ole Sereni Hotel for a reception organised in their honour.
The Starlets came agonizingly close to bagging the regional crown but lost 2-1 to Tanzania in the finals.
Being the only team from the Cecafa region that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in Cameroon from November19-December 3, the David Ouma coached squad were the focal team in the eight-nation tournament.
They started off their campaign brightly by winning their group matches with a 100 percent record – thrashing Uganda 4-0, Burundi 4-0 and Zanzibar 11-0. In the semis they held their nerves to overcome Ethiopia 3-2.
A beaming Ouma said that now focus shifts to the African Cup of Nations tournament.
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
The coach said that despite being drawn against champions Nigeria, Ghana and Mali at the group stages, the team is confident of a good performance.
“Every team has equal chances, my players have the learning mentality. The girls just need to have character and nerves for the games,” Ouma said.
“They (Afcon draw) are tough games but we have to target at least a win then throw ourselves in the mix. We are trying to define the philosophy of women football and we have planned friendlies which will help us,” he added.
Striker Esse Akida, who scored five goals in the tournament, said: “Every match will be tough but we just have to be determined.”
FKF President, Mwendwa, assured the country of proper preparations ahead of the November assignment.
“Our team has given everything in the last couple of months. We were favourites but, at times, favourites never win but they are already champions. We have plenty of friendlies against Cameroon and Morocco and we’ll continue improving on our mistakes,” he said.
“We can now believe that we can go to 2019 World Cup. But first, we have to make a semis appearance our target in the Afcon finals.”
