CECAFA Women 2016:
Uganda 0-4 Kenya
Kenya Harambee Starlets sent a strong statement of intent with a 4-0 drubbing of hosts Uganda Crested Cranes on the opening day of the 2016 CECAFA Women Football Championship at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru on Sunday.
The game was the second of the day after Burundi’s 10-1 humiliation of Zanzibar in the opener of the tournament making a return after 30 years in Zanzibar.
Kenya, the only member in the CECAFA Region that will be at the 2016 AFCON Women version took a slim 1-0 lead in the first half of the well cheered match whose entrance was free of charge.
Team skipper Mary Kinuthia Wanjiku tapped home the opener 21 minutes into the game following a great laid ball from the left by Nedy Okoth Atieno.
Uganda Crested Cranes XI against Kenya
Earlier, Kenya had dominated the opening stages of the game with two free kicks by Esse Mbeyu Akida and Ann Wendy Asol Achieng going wide of the target.
For long spells of the opening half, the Crested Cranes were on the defensive with only goalie Ruth Aturo outstanding in thwarting all aerial attempts played from either flanks.
Uganda suffered a set back with Winnie Babirye’s injury just after 14 minutes of play. She was replaced by Joan Nakirya.
Akida was denied by the woodwork two minutes after the half hour mark to deny Kenya an opportunity of doubling the advantage.
Kenya Harambee Starlets XI against Uganda
Uganda’s Laki Otandeka and Hasifa Nassuna tested Akinyi in the Kenyan goal posts but the shot stopper was too alert to thwart any danger.
Kenya’s dominance continued in the second stanza of the game.
Akida registered her name on the score sheet with a clinical finish past Aturo before second half substitute Vivian Corazon who had moments earlier replaced Dorren Omondi scored a stunning long range effort off the left foot.
Esse Akida with a clinical finish over the advancing goalie Ruth Aturo
The crafty midfielder then capped the icing on the cake with a well taken strike inside the last 60 seconds of the game to mark a memorable start to the tournament.
Burundi leads Group A with a superior goal difference since they share the same points with Kenya.
The tournament resumes tomorrow with one Group B game between Tanzania and Rwanda at 4:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, there will be two games. Burundi will play Kenya in the early kick-off at 2:00 p.m before the two wounded lions will battle each other as Zanzibar takes on Uganda at 4:00 pm.
Team Line-ups:
Uganda XI: Ruth Aturo (G.K), Christine Wanyana (Captain), Yudaya Nakayenze, Gladys Nakitto, Nassuna Stellah, Jean Sseninde, Zaina Namuleme, Naume Nagadya, Hasifa Nassuna, Laki Otandeka, Winnie Babirye
Subs: Fatumah Matovu (G.K), Joan Nakirya, Tracy Akiror, Shakira Nalwoga, Riticia Nabossa, Sandra Nantumbwe
Kenya XI: Vivian Akinyi (G.K), Ann Aluoch Onyango, Ann Achieng Asol Wendy, Irene Awuor Oguttu, Dorcas Nixon Shikobe, Carolyne Anyango Omondi, Esse Akida Mbeyu, Cheris Avilia Salano, Nedy Okoth Atieno, Dorren Nabwire, Mary Kinuthia Wanjiku (Captain)
Subs: Samantha Akinyi (G.K), Calleb Teresa Ouko, Jummah Jackline Akoth, Vivian Corazon, Mercy Onyango Achieng, Christine Nafula, Elizabeth Mwikwal Ambogo
Head Coach: David Ouma
Match Officials: Salma Mukansanga (Center Referee), Abesa Woisnet (1st Assistant referee), Speciose Nyinahabari (2nd Assistant referee), Suaris Iratunga (4th official), Lina Kessy (Match commissioner), Catherine Adipo (Referees’ assessor)
