Sidelined Akida cant wait to add more fire to Starlets attack

Harambee Starlets striker Esse Mbeyu Akida is optimistic of recovering in time for the 2019 Africa Women Cup of Nations crunch qualifier against Uganda’s Crested Cranes.

Starlets will lock horns with the Cranes on April 4 in the first leg match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos before honouring the second leg three days later in Kampala.

And Akida who has been sidelined with an ankle injury picked in camp three weeks ago is racing against time to be ready for the duel.

She said:  “It’s true I picked an injury while training in Machakos, but as for now there is a lot of improvement and come April 4, I will be available if given a chance,”Akida said.

Starlets last met the Cranes last year with the former winning 4-0 at Moi Stadium, Kisumu before replicating the fete at the 2016 Cecafa women tournament in Uganda.

Buoyed by this impressive statistical advantage, the Richard Kanyi coached Starlets will be hoping to get another win over their erstwhile neighbours in this important assignment.

Harambee Starlets warmed up to the looming qualifier by hammering Zambia 3-0 in an international friendly match at the Arthur Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday, with Mwalima ‘Dogo’ Adam opening the scores in the 18^th minute before substitute Corazone Aquino bagged a double to wrap up the tie. Akida’s potential return will thus be a big boost to the team.

The Starlets jet back Monday at 6.45pm and head straight to camp in Machakos ahead of the Uganda meeting.