Three new faces in Starlets’ final Cecafa squad

Harambee Starlets landed safely in Kampala, Uganda on Friday morning before embarking on a road trip to Jinja, where the inaugural Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Women championship will be held.

Of the 29 players who had been called up by Head Coach David Ouma for the team’s camp, only 23 made the final cut; and among those that avoided the axe are three new faces.

Fresh from representing Nyakach Girls in the recent East Africa Secondary School Games, goalkeeper Lilian Awuor was given the nod and so were Kenyan Women’s Premier League players; Lilian Adera (Vihiga Queens) and Jackline Akoth (Makolanders).

Only Wiyeta Girls High School’s star player, Judith Musimbi, was dropped among the four new trialists.

“In line with the new 1-4-3-3 philosophy from the office of our Technical Director in Kenya, we have settled on the players who have adapted fastest to it. We have a large pool of talent in our women’s soccer, the competition has been stiff in the camp but we had to shortlist the final team,” Ouma told Citizen Digital.

Meanwhile, Ouma says he has been impressed by the new goalkeeper’s trainer, George Wambugu, who was named to stand in for suspended Lawrence Webo.

“He is an experienced coach who has worked with Tusker FC, Mathare United FC, Sofapaka FC, Rangers FC and has also been involved in training Harambee Starlets goalkeepers before.

“I always start with the goalkeepers when am naming my starting 11. So to have someone who can help me make the right choices is a good thing for us. He has already taken up the role well,” the Sofapaka boss added.

Kenya open their campaign against hosts Uganda on Sunday at 4:00PM (E.A.T).

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Samantha Akinyi, Lilian Awuor and Vivian Akinyi

Defenders: Anne Aluoch, Wendy Achieng, Dorcas Shikobe, Irene Ogutu, Terry Ouko

Midfielders: Corazon Aquino, Jacky Ogol, Caroline Omondi,  Elizabeth Ambogo, Cheris Avilia, Mary Kinuthia, Jackline Akoth, Mercy Achieng, Caroline Kiget, Christine Nafula

Fowards: Sharon Aluoch, Maureen Ater, Doris Anyango, Esse Akida, Neddy Atieno