Football
Kenya Edge Tanzania To Claim Maiden CECAFA Title
Kenya have won their first CECAFA Women’s Championship title after beating Tanzania 2-0 in the final played at Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Kenya have won their first CECAFA Women’s Championship title after beating Tanzania 2-0 in the final played at Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Jentrix Shikangwa who came in as second-half substitute scored her first goal from the spot in the 70th minute before firing an unstoppable volley in the 87th to seal the win.
The first chance on goal came from the hosts in the 13th minute when an inch-perfect right-wing cross from Donisia Daniel was met by Asha Hamza, but she headed narrowly wide from ten yards out.
Ten minutes later Starlets were on the attack again down the right-wing, this time Junitha Singano with a low cross to find Asha Rashid but she skewed her 12-yard shot inches wide of the target.
But Kenya were resolute and kept the defending champions at bay for the opening 20 minutes, eventually getting a foothold in the game and creating their own chances.
In fact, the Starlets had the best chance of the first half in the 28th minute when Mwanalima Jereko did some great work down the right to put it on a plate for an unmarked Mercy Airo, nine yards out near the penalty spot, but the Kisumu All Starlets forward put the finish over the bar.
Kenya continued to see the Twiga’s share of possession, but they could not break down a stubborn Tanzania defence.
Tanzania’s only other decent chance in the half was again from a left-sided free-kick in the 40th minute which Mwanahamisi Omary delivered into the box and it was again met by Amina Bilali who saw her 12-yard header well-saved by the keeper.
The half ended 0-0.
Twigas were gifted a great chance to score two minutes into the second half when Enekia Lunyamila met a cross from Fatuma Salum, but the latter’s 16-yard shot came off her shin and went wide under no pressure.
Ten minutes later, Starlets almost stole the lead in a rare foray forward with Corazone Aquinogot got on the end of a free-kick into Tanzania box, but goalkeeper Najat Idrisa made a great point-blank save to deny her header.
Kenya coach David Ouma was then forced to make a change, bringing on Gentrix Shikangwa in place for injured Janet Bundi.
The change brought life to the Kenyan side as they regained confidence and deservedly went ahead in 70th minute when Shikangwa slotted in a penalty after a Tanzania defender handled the ball inside the area.
Tanzania’s only decent scoring chance came in the 75th minute following a goalmouth scramble at a corner-kick, but Anantasa Katunzi was denied from only a couple of yards out by a brilliant save from the keeper.
With Twigas pushing numbers forward, they left themselves exposed at the back and Shikangwa made them pay in the 87th minute when she fired an unstoppable volley to wrap up the win, 2-0.
The teams;
Harambee Starlets Starting XI: 1. Annette Kundu (GK), 11. Nelly Sawe, 5. Dorcas Shikobe (C), 20. Ruth Ingosi, 3. Vivian Makokha, 6. Sheril Angachi, 17. Corazone Aquino, 4. Cynthia Shilwatso, 7. Janet Bundi, 8. Mercy Airo, 2. Mwanalima Jereko Adam
Substitutes; 19. Monica Odato (GK), 18. Judith Osimbo (GK), 12. Lydia Akoth, 10. Jentrix Shikangwa, 16. Siliya Lumasia, 13. Lucy Akoth, 9. Situma Topister
Tanzania Starting XI : 18. Najat Abass Idrisa (GK), 19. Happyness Hezron Mwaipaja, 4. Amina Alli Bilali, 6. Donisia Daniel Minja, 7. Mwanahamisi Omary Shurua, 2. Anastas Antony Katunzi, 9. Junitha Aminiel Singano, 12. Fatuma Khatibu Salum, 14. Asha Saada Rashid (C), 17. Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila, 13. Asha Shabani Hamza
Substitutes; 20. Zubeda Mgunda, 1. Tausi Swallehe Abdallah, 16. Opa Clement Tukumbuke, 3. Eva Wailes Jackson, 15. Janeth Christopher Pangamwene, 10. Phermena Daniel Kizima, 11. Diana Lucas Msewa, 8. Stumai Abdallah Athumani, 5. Fatuma Issa Maonyo
