Starlets coach confident squad to deliver Olympics qualification in Malawi

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 18 Jul, 2019 01:00 | 2 mins read
Mercy Airo evades a tackle from Lydia Akoth during a training session at Camp Toyoyo grounds yesterday for Harambee Starlets ahead of the Olympics qualifiers. Photo/PHILIP KAMAKYA
Lynette Matheka @PeopleSports11

Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma is confident the squad he will select from the 39 players called up in the team’s provisional squad will deliver as Kenya searches for a ticket to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

The team hit camp on Sunday as they prepare to face Malawi in the first leg scheduled for August 28. The return match will be played on September 1. 

Kenya got a bye into the first round and will face the winner between Gabon and Ghana in the third round should they go past Malawi.

Thirty-six players are already in camp with the exception of Winnie Kanyotu, Elizabeth Wambui and Wincate Kaari who picked injuries in last weekend’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) matches and are set to undergo reviews before joining camp.

Ouma’s provisional squad excluded most of the experienced players who did duty for Starlets in the last assignment. Among those axed was long-serving captain Wendy Achieng and Esse Akida who has been playing professional football in Israel.

Mary Kinuthia, who has had stints with Swedish clubs is also excluded, as was regulars Neddy Atieno, Elizabeth Ambogo, Cheris Avilia, Carolyne Onyango, Pauline Atieno and Christine Nafula.

“We did our scouting in the Premier League, Division One and school games as well as during the Chapa Dimba tournament. 

The players picked were impressive in all those platforms and they are a mixture of youth and experience. I am not worried about missing impact players as I have confidence in the players picked,” said Ouma.

The tactician believes with the guidance of experienced players in camp among them Thika Queens’ Mwanahalima Adam club-mate Rachael Mwema and Vihiga Queens’ quartet of Lilian Adera, Phoebe Owiti, Teresa Engesha and Oserian’s Dorcas Sikobe, the youngsters will flourish since they have already excelled at club level.

Among the standout debutants is Mercy Airo, currently joint top on the WPL scorers charts with 22 goals and Tumiani Waliaula, second on the list with 21.

“We are currently working on the players’ mental strength while still training in other aspects of the game. To test the capability of those making their debut in a competitive match at this stage, we are looking to play two international friendly matches before facing Malawi,” added Ouma.

Football Kenya Federation has requested friendly matches from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Ethiopia in the first week of August against whoever will agree. 

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