Kenya Football Federation President Nick Mwendwa has sent a profound message of encouragement to the senior national women team, the Harambee Starlets,ahead of today’s Africa Womens Cup of Nations opening fixture aganist Ghana.

Mwendwa says Kenya has a chance to reach the semi-finals her maiden appearance in the Africa Womens Cup of Nations despite being in a tough group.

The President has also asked the players to act as pioneers and leave a mark at the tournament that will forever change and shape the future women football in Kenya.

“We have asked the girls to at least try and reach the Semifinals, this we have done, knowing all too well that there were issues with how the team was handled in the past,” said Mwendwa.

“As our Starlets prepare to take on Ghana tomorrow we are telling them that in the hearts of not only this federation but also the millions of Kenyans that support them, they are already Champions, for making history by becoming the first National Women Football team to qualify for the AWCON.

“And so despite the high standards already set, we won’t ask them to win the cup, but we are imploring upon them to go out there and shape the destiny of women football in Kenya.

“We are asking them to act as pioneers and leave a mark at the 2016 AWCON tournament that will forever change and shape the future of women football in Kenya and give hope to thousands of young players back home, who look up to the Starlets for inspiration. Good Luck and May God Bless you.”