Ouma bullish as Starlets plot Ghana downfall

Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma is optimistic of beating Ghana when the two sides cross swords in Wednesday’s friendly match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Both sides will be using the match as a dress rehearsal  for the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals to be staged in Accra, Ghana from November 17-December 1, and Ouma believes that though the west Africans are a tough opposition, they have what it takes to humble them.

“Ghana is a very tough team and playing them will give me a great opportunity to learn my players. Since we entered the camp, I have t learnt the strength and weaknesses of everyone,” Ouma said adding that he expects his new call-ups to also prove their mettle.

“We played Ghana in AWCON 2016 in Cameroon losing 3-1; we learned our mistakes and come Wednesday I believe we shall beat them,” added Ouma

The Ghanaian team jetted in on Sunday and is set to hold their training today at Kasarani before facing Starlets in a 4pm kick off on Wednesday.

Starlets  on Saturday suffered a setback after losing 3-1 to the national under fifteens boys team in a friendly tie at the Utalii Grounds on Saturday  but will be hoping to take double victories when they take on Uganda’s Crested Cranes after the Ghana tie.

The David Ouma coached side is pooled in Group B in the AWCON duty and will square it out with Nigeria, Zambia and South Africa.

They will  play their first pool match on November 18 against Zambia, then tackle the South Africans on November 21 before winding up their pool games against  champions Nigeria three days later, with the top two group finishers  proceeding to the semi finals.

Group A consists of Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon and Mali. Three top teams in the tournament will earn a chance to play in the 2019 FIFA women’s World Cup to be staged in France.