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 25^th.