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Cecafa Senior Women’s Challenge Cup: It’s the semi final battle
Defending champions Kilimanjaro Queens of Tanzania seem favourites as the 2019 Senior Women’s Challenge Cup enters the semi final stage on Saturday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 2016 runners up Kenya Starlets will take to the Chamazi Stadium for against Burundi, while Tanzania battle Uganda Crested Cranes in the second semi final clash.
To reach the semi finals Tanzania topped Group A with maximum points against South Sudan (9-0), Burundi (5-0) and a 7-0 victory against Zanzibar in the last group tie.
Shime Bakari, the Kilimanjaro Queens coach says he is confident his team has what it takes to retain the trophy. “I am not only happy that we have won all our matches in the group stage, but the manner in which we have won them without conceding a goal and displaying good football,” said Bakari.
With 21 goals already scored by Tanzania with their stars Omary Shurua Mwanahamisi and Daniel Donisia Minja leading in the team with four and three goals scored respectively they look a hard team to beat.
But the Uganda Crested Cranes team with some players who won the COSAFA U-17 Women’s Championship title last month have also vowed to prove a point when it matters most.
“Every game is different and we know how to approach the game against Tanzania. We suffered a 3-0 defeat to Kenya in the last Group B match and we know where we went wrong,” said Uganda’s coach Faridah Bulega.
Bulega acknowledged that Tanzania is playing good football and her players must come out with their best form. “Playing at the semi final stage is a different ball game and it all depends on how each of the teams approaches the game. We are ready to give our best,” added Bulega.
Uganda Crested Cranes have been the highest scoring team in a single match where they humbled Djibouti 13-0 and also struggled to stop Burundi 1-0 in their second game. Juliet Nalukenge, Uganda’s leading striker with three goals is optimistic they have a chance to make it to the final.
“We need to be very organized because we shall play a good team. But we have a team that can reach the final,” added Nalukenge.
For Kenya who line-up in the first semi final are also rearing to go. Their head coach David Ouma said after failing to qualify for the next stage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifiers over a week ago, they are now hungry to prove a point at this tournament.
“We have a young team that has consistently improved since the tournament started. We have what it takes to win this trophy, but we shall make sure we first deal with the semi final match against Burundi,” added Ouma.
Jentrix Shikangwa, the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals together with Jereko Mwanalima and Mercy Airo (four goals each) will be expected to play pivotal roles for the Kenya Starlets to overcome Burundi.
But Burundi who have showed positive strides in the development of women football will not be the side to underrate. “We know what to do against Kenya,” says Burundi’s assistant coach Belyse Ininahazwe.
The play-off for third place and final of the FIFA sponsored regional tournament will be played on November 25th.
Experienced Football administrator Souleiman Hassan Waberi has been re-elected President of the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF).
Waberi returned un-opposed for another four year-term in office during the General Assembly held at the National Technical Centre in Djibouti on Saturday.
“I am happy and glad that I have been re-elected to lead Football in Djibouti. I thank all the voters for having confidence in me,” said a happy Waberi.
“I and my committee can’t do anything without you stakeholders. We succeeded 98% of the development programs I pledged in front of you four years ago. Once again I count on you and I want you to work harder than you have been working with us in the past and surely we can reach a higher level in football,” said Waberi.
He also thanked the Minister for youth and sport, Hassan Mohamed Kamil for his long-standing contribution to football in the country. “On behalf of Djiboutian football family, I am very grateful to the President of the Republic His Excellency Ismael Omar Guelleh for his constant commitment to youth and sport and football in particular,” he added.
Waberi who is also the third Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March 2025 will be vying for the FIFA Council seat.
Each team will be allowed to field three over age players at the U-23 CECAFA Challenge Cup.
The regional tournament will be played in Bahir Dar between July 3-18th.
According to the rules and regulations of the tournament, the competition is limited to players 23 years old or young and each team will be allowed three over age players.
CECAFA has stated that all players of the teams must have been born on or after 1st, January, 1998 and the lower limit must be at least 18 years by the end of the calendar year in which the competition is played.
Incase a member association has fielded more than three over age players, that player shall be disqualified and nor replaced, while the team could face disqualification, a ban or asked to pay a fine.
The U-23 team of the Democratic Republic of Congo team will play in the tournament as a guest side.
CECAFA members agreed in March this year before the General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held in Morocco that the Challenge Cup in 2021 will be played by the U-23 teams. Each member Association is however expected to contribute US$20,000 for their team to participate.
South Sudan head coach Ashu Cyprian Besong has dropped striker Tito Okello Odong from the squad traveling to face Jordan in the preliminary round of the FIFA Arab Cup.
The Bright Star will face Jordan on June 21st at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
Okello who features for Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia FC netted the lone goal when the Bright Star beat Uganda 1-0 in the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier last year.
The striker who ditched Uganda to play for South Sudan because he was not being considered for the national team was among the players dropped before the team leaves on Friday. The other players dropped include; Lual Daniel Gumnok, Wani Ivan Marcello, Jackson Morgan Obede and goalkeeper Mawien Khon Arop.
“We have been training hard and the team will go out to Doha to try and get a good result,” said South Sudan’s coach Besong.
South Sudan squad
Goalkeepers: Majak Mawith, Ramadan John, Khamis Daniel
Defenders: Dhata Joseph, Peter Maker, Rashid Toha Rashid, Mutwakil Abdelkharim, Omot Sebit, Rehan Angier
Midfielders: Musa Asad, Stephen Pawar, Gibson Wande
Forwards: Kur Gai, Makueth Wol,Valentino Kudon Yuel, Aluk Akech, John Albino
The Falcons of Sudan have arrived in Doha, Qatar ahead of the preliminary match against Libya in the 2021.
Coach Hubert Velud’s side arrived on Wednesday night ahead of the match slated for June 19th at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha.
Velud said the two friendly matches they played against Zambia have helped the team prepare well ahead of the match against Libya. Sudan beat Zambia 3-2 in the first friendly match, while Zambia revenged winning 1-0 in the second match, all played in Khartoum.
“We have prepare well and I am optimistic we shall play well and go all out to try and qualify for the next round of the FIFA Arab Cup,” added the coach.
Besides Sudan, the other teams from the CECAFA region include Somalia who will face Oman, South Sudan will take on Jordan, while Djibouti battle Lebanon.
Sudan’s squad
Goalkeepers: Ali Abdallah, Mohamed Alnour, Mohamed Mustafa
Defenders: Samwal Mergani, Faris Abdallah, Mohamed Ahmed, Amir Kamal, Ahmed Abdalmonem, Athir Altahir, Rami, Hussain Ibrahim
Midfielders: Nasralden Omer, Abuagla Abdallah, Walaaldin Khidir, Diaalden Mahgoub, Altag Yagoub, Sharafalden Shaiboub, Maaz Abdulrahim
Strikers: Walid Bakhit, Mohamed Abdulrahman, Algozoli Mouh, Saifalden Malik, Yassin Hamid
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