Starlets confident of Spanish stroll in Valencia

Harambee Starlets are confident of challenging for a final slot in the six-day, COTIF Women Football Tournament after departing for Valencia, Spain on Saturday morning.

Head coach David Ouma and captain Ann Alouch declared they will not go in as the underdogs in a competition they have been pooled against vastly experienced sides including Portuguese women league champions Benfica.

In a send off dinner hosted by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Friday night, Ouma noted it is time to reciprocate efforts being put in elevating standards of the women’s game.

“The support has been huge which puts us in a position of giving back by winning for Kenya. Seeing the ladies going to prepare for African Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) in Europe is a big statement which calls for results.

“We comfortably beat Olivet Nazarene University of USA on Thursday, (8-0), a side that hails from competitive women league. This is an indicator we can match the teams in Spain, although the challenge will be different,” the tactician asserted.

“It is going to help us measure our strength against players of a higher cadre who are like the opponents awaiting us in Yaoundé in November.

“Countries like Nigeria have many players featuring in European leagues so we will have the taste of what we expect in Cameroon,” the bullish Ouma underscored.

He was compelled to whittle down his playing squad to 20 ahead of departure.

“Surely it was not easy, but as coach you have to do it. The important thing is that I have always inculcated professionalism in such matters so that every player understands this is football and teams are picked on merit.

“Today you make the team tomorrow you don’t. The competition has been amazing, so no one can comfortably claim a permanent position in the team.”

His skipper Aluoch, popularly known as ‘Auntie’ among her teammates concurred with the coach.

“It is a bad feeling for anyone when you miss on such a chance especially having been in camp until the last minute. However we have talked to the players we are leaving behind as family.

“We know we need them in future but we could not all travel. Initially we were supposed to be a 23-team squad but due to other technicalities the number was cut further to 20,” she explained.

“We are going there for the best, even the trophy if possible. We have been winning all matches since we qualified with convincing scores so we know expectations among Kenyans are high. We cannot afford to let them down. We fear no team,” the long serving captain pledged.

-Sex scandal-

Preparations for the Spain trip were dogged by a sex scandal that saw goalkeeping coach, Lawrence Webo, suspended by FKF as investigations continue.

Aluoch conceded the damaging reports sent shockwaves through the squad.

“It really affected us, we were hit hard. You know most of us are married; we have brothers, sisters and parents.

“When you are in the spotlight for all the bad reasons, especially with such a sensitive matter in our society, it must distract you. We have however, overcome and that is history,” she acknowledged.

“The message out there should be we are ladies of dignity, when you see us in national colours, what should come in mind are professionals with a name to guard for country and individual,” Aluoch charged.

She paid tribute to teenage teammate, Mwanahalima Adam, who was left out to allow her prepare for her O-Level Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams.

“We miss her but in life time comes when you have to make sacrificial decisions like she did. We wish her all the best and hope she can inspire her school to lift the national trophy,” the skipper said of the St. Joseph’s Kaloleni student who is expected to feature for them at the Kisumu Term 2 Ball Games Finals next week.

She scored in the first leg 2-2 draw in Algiers in the final round of Awcon qualifiers before they sealed a place by holding the North Africans 1-1 at home.

During the dinner FKF President, Mwendwa, flanked by his deputy Doris Petra presented the team with kit.

“We are committed to give you the best so that you give the best to the country. This is the first time this is happening and it’s great that you are part of this great history.

“Not even the men’s team has had this kind of exposure. We are a team of equal opportunities and this tells you the seriousness we approach the continental competition with. We have no sponsors coming on board to support the ladies, but I have always affirmed that 15 percent of FIFA grants shall go to women football,” the federation chief remarked.

He further revealed despite cancellation of the planned trip to Germany for more friendlies, the team will play more international friendlies before November’s continental showpiece.