CECAFA Women’s Championship: Harambee Starlets win opener, Crested Cranes bounce back

Harambee Starlets – Photo Credit: FKF Media.

Kenya women’s national team Harambee Starlets kicked off their CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship campaign with an impressive win while Uganda’s Crested Cranes recovered from their opening defeat at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Stadium on Sunday.

The Kenyan team under the guidance of Beldine Odemba humbled Burundi 3-0 in the first match before Uganda, who had lost their opener 1-0 against Burundi on Friday, recovered to wallop South Sudan 5-0.

In the opening first five minutes, Kenya were two goals up scored through midfielder Martha Amunyolet. Kenya continued to press as Burundi defended in numbers.

After the recess, Burundi’s Gloris Gakiza had a good opportunity to pull a goal back, but her header hit the woodwork. Substitute Faith Mboya made it 3-0 for Kenya after one minute of added time.

For Uganda, who are under the tutelage of Sheryl Botes, Sylvia Kabene netted a first half hat-trick to help them register an emphatic emphatic 5-0 victory against South Sudan. Shamirah Nalugya and skipper Zainah Namuleme were on the score sheet with Uganda scoring all their goals in the first half.

The tournament’s action will return on June 17 with Tanzania facing Burundi, while Kenya take on Uganda in what promises to be a tough contest.

The tournament which has attracted five teams and being played on a round robin basis will see the best team determined by the highest number of points.

Table standing;

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Uganda 2 1 0 1 5 1 4 3

Tanzania 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3

Kenya 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3

Burundi 2 1 0 1 1 5 -5 3

South Sudan 2 0 0 2 0 9 -9 0