Tanzania are the 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship after halting Kenya’s fine run by beating them 2-1 in the final played at the FUFA Technical Grounds, Njeru, Uganda on Tuesday.

Vintage Kilimanjaro Queens’s striker Mwanahamisi Omari delivered the goodies to condemn firm favorites Harambee Starlets to their first loss of the competition and secure the maiden glory for Tanzania.

Starlets had shown signs of fatigue heading into the final huddle when they struggled to go past Ethiopia 3-2 in the semifinals on Sunday raising doubts about the title credentials; the queens of the mountain were however majestic in the round of four humiliating hosts Uganda 4-1.

Omari hit the back of the net in the 27th minute before grabbing a brace a minute to the first interval. Starlets threatened a comeback early in the second half when Christine Nafula pulled one back for the Coach David Ouma’s side in the 48th minute but Tanzania could not bulge any further thereafter.

Vintage Doreen Nabwire was introduced for goal scorer Nafula in the 64th minute as Ouma sought the equalizer; he would again bring on Ambogo for Corazone Aquino in the 72nd minute but nothing was yielding as the queens of Tanzania held on to the big win.

Tanzania become the second winner of the regional competition after Zanzibar’s triumph in the inaugural version in 1986.

Harambee Starlets will now turn attention to the Africa Women Cup Nations (AWCON) slated for Cameroon in November; the Kenyan ladies will be carrying the East Africa flag in the continental showpiece.

@bonfaceosano