Goals galore for Kenya as CECAFA U-17 Women’s Challenge Cup kicks-off

The 2019 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Challenge Cup kicked off on Monday with a record 23 goals scored in the three matches at the Fufa technical Center in Njeru, Uganda. Tanzania kick started their campaign with a 5-0 win over Eritrea, while a determined Kenya team team was too strong for Djibouti whom they whitewashed 14-0. The last game of the days saw Uganda pick a 4-0 victory against Burundi.

In the first game Irene Kisisa almost gave Tanzania the lead after 6 minutes but her shot it the woodwork.

Later Tanzania scored a hat-trick through Joyce Meshack, while Aisha Hamis Masaka netted a first half brace.

“We are happy to start the tournament with a big win. Like I said we have good teams in youth football and we are here to win the trophy,” said Tanzania’s head coach Shime Bakari after the game.

Eritrea’s coach Mekonnen Zewde said they lost to a good team. “We do not have the experience and our team is here to get exposure,” added the coach.

The second game saw Kenya run on riot as they scored 14 goals. Viola Khalai scored five goals, Fasila Adhiambo picked four and Anna Arusi netted a hat-trick. Doreen Achieng also got her name on the score sheet. Kenya’s coach Jackline Juma said she was pleased with the hunger for goals by her team.

In the last match of the day Uganda’s captain Juliet Nalukenge scored a hat-trick, while Samalie Nakachwa scored the other.

Kenya now lead the table with three points with a comfortable goal difference, while Tanzania are second and Uganda third. Action returns on Wednesday with Uganda taking on Djibouti, while Kenya face Eritrea and Tanzania take on Burundi.

The CECAFA U-17 Women’s Challenge Cup is being played on a round robin format with the best team among the six teams to emerge champions.

Table standing

P     W     D     L    GF    GA    A     Pts

Kenya      1      1       0     0    14     0     14     3

Tanzania 1      1       0     0      5      0      5      3

Uganda    1      1       0     0     4      0       4     3

Burundi   1      0       0     1      0     4       -4     0

Eritrea     1      0       0     1      5     0      -5      0

Djibouti   1      0       0     1       0   14    -14     0