Starlets boss Ouma excited by CAF nominations

Harambee Starlets boss David Ouma says he is excited after being nominated for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) coach of the year.

Ouma’s Starlets were also nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year by CAF, earning such a feat for the second time in three years.

The Kenyans will battle it out with Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria has also been nominated for the same team award.

Speaking on Citizen Digital Ouma said he is happy for the pair of nominations adding it means they are working hard and finally their determination have been recognized.

“I am very happy for the nominations and really deserved it. We have worked extremely hard with the team despite missing a chance to feature in 2020 olympics games in Japan we dominated Cecafa title in Dar. “

“For the best coach award I can say it will motivate me to continue leading the ladies well and registering good results and nurturing more talents. Winning the award I know it may be a bit hard because I have been nominated against experienced coaches like Dennerby from Nigeria, and Dessire Ellis of South Africa but it will motivate me a lot”

“I now call the government to support the ladies because they have done a lot in the country as far us football is concerned. They should appreciate their efforts and motivate them in a good way, By doing that we will see more achievements and feature in our journey to qualify for the AWCON and world cup tournaments respectively.”

Meanwhile, no male Kenyan player, team or coach has been nominated in any of the four categories although Ugandans Dennis Onyango and Emmanuel Okwi, Rwandan Meddie Kagere, as well as Algerian coach Djamel Hamadi have made the cut.

Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta has, alongside, English Premier League stars Pierre Emerick Aubamayang, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Rihard Mahrez earned a nomination for the African Player of the Year award.

Starlets arrived safely back home on Tuesday November 26 2019 after being crowned CECAFA Women champions on Monday and the next assignment is in the 2020 Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers to be held early next year. The ladies will be looking to qualify to the women premier showpiece after maiden bow in 2016.