The ongoing CECAFA Women’s Championship in Jinja, Uganda enters the round of four on Sunday 18 with two mouthwatering fixtures on the cards at the FUFA Technical Grounds, Njeru.
Kenya vs Ethiopia – 1:30PM
In the first semifinal clash at 1:30 PM local time, high flying Harambee Starlets of Kenya will be up against Ethiopia’s “Lucy” in a match billed as final before the final.
Memories of 2012 international friendly in Addis when Lucy rudely welcomed the Kenyan ‘golden’ girls with a 5-0 thumping will surely be evoked when the two take to the field tomorrow.
Starlets under Coach David Ouma have since made enormous strides in the game and are currently the only side from the East African region to have qualified to the Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon later this year.
Lucy on the other hand have remained largely consistent backed by a strong domestic league. Shetaye Sisaya who scored a brace in the meet is still a prominent figure in the Coach Meseret Manne’s outfit; they are further reinforced by the presence of the Ethiopian Women’s Premier League most valuable player Losa Abera who has so far netted a brace.
Starlets’ arsenal boasts the leading top scorer in the tournament Esse Akida on five goals, Neddy Atieno, Corazone Akwino among others capable of changing the tides in their favor.
It remains to be seen if the Kenyan girls with serve their revenge chill or the Ethiopian beauties will affirm their authority.
Uganda vs Tanzania – 3:30PM
In the second semifinal clash from 3:30 PM, Ugandan Crested Cranes will be up against Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Queens at the same venue. Backed by the home crowed, the Ugandan ladies are expected to put their best foot forward not to disappoint.
The hosts recovered from a 4-0 loss to Kenya in their opening match to beat Zanzibar 9-0 before edging Burundi 1-0 to sail through.
Kili Stars on the other hand dismissed Rwanda 3-2 before winning a toss to top group “B” after a barren draw against Ethiopia in their last match.
The tie breaker method however did not go down well with Lucy’s Coach Manne who alleged lack of fair play.
The matches will proceed to extra time in case of a stalemate in regulation time, before finally the dreaded spot kicks if no winner still.
@bonfaceosano
