Starlets in crunch date with Zimbabwe in Cosafa semis

Harambee Starlets has date with destiny when they take on Zimbabwe on Thursday in the second semi-final match of the Council of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) tournament at the Barbour fields Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

In an interview with Citizen Digital from Bulawayo, Starlets head coach Richard Kanyi said that they are ready to face the champions.

Motivation

The hosts head into the match buoyed by the home ground advantage and the fact that they are defending champions. This is motivation enough to go for the Starlets jugular but Kanyi is however none of that.

“Zimbabwe is a good team which I respect but I expect a tough encounter since they are the host and fans will be behind them,”Kanyi said. “Team character will determine who will sail to the finals. I have however instructed my girls to play as a team and not to pay attention to provocation from the terraces.”

Impressive

Appearing in the tournament for the first time as guest team, the Starlets have enjoyed a rather impressive performance.

They top group B with nine points from three matches scoring a record 17 goals while only conceding two in process thus sealing a semi final place.

Though Starlets have registered fine performances, Zimbabwe is set to provide a stern test but Kanyi believes the girls will ably deal with.

“I have been preparing them psychologically for the match, I am looking forward for the good results,” added the former Thika Queens tactician.

Zimbabwe meanwhile have registered mixed results in the competition having settled for a 3-3 draw with Malawi in their first match before another 1-1 draw with Zambia in their second match and later a 4-0 thrashing of Madagascar in their final group match which guaranteed them  second place in group A with five points.

The winner of the match will face the winner between Zambia and South Africa who are set to face off in the first semi- final match set for an early kickoff Thursday.