Trial time is over and now teams have a clue of their shape compared to their opponent’s in the CECAFA women games on at Njeru near Jinja. The games enter match day two on Tuesday with Kenya facing Burundi and Uganda tussling with Zanzibar.
Twenty goals have been scored so far with half the number in Burundi’s account, while Kenya have four, Tanzania have three, Rwanda-two, Zanzibar- one and Uganda haven’t yet got the scoring formula.
ChimpReports’ Fred Mwambu has pitched camp at Njeru and analyzes his eleven best players from Match day one.
Goalkeeper: Vivian Akinyi (Kenya)
Very huge in physique and important commander in the Harambee starlets back line. Her ability on and off the ball is not in doubt. Receives credit for maintaining the only clean sheet from day one.
Defenders:
Abdallah Stumai (Tanzania)
The short dark skinned left back impressed the crowds in her opening clash with Rwanda with her energy, ability to involve in attack and trot back to cover danger. She scored a 26th minute beauty brace rare angle near the edge of the box, the second for the Kilimanjaro queens.
Anna Aluoch & Asol Wendy Achieng (Both Kenya)
The duo played a huge part in neutralizing the Ugandan attacks providing good cover to Vivian and giving the wingers a chance to freely move forward.
Midfielders:
Asha Rashid (Tanzania)
Scored the opening, the winning goal for the Kilimanjaro queens initiated Abdalla’s second. She carried the team confidently with the armband after skipper Sophia Mwasikili’s 64th minute substitution. She was arguably the best on her side.
Mary Kinuthia Wanjiku (Kenyan Captain)
The Kenyan captain is probably the most talented player in the tournament despite her small body physique. Very skilled and was always ready to dare Cranes back line with her quick swift left foot. She scored the opening goal with a bang inside a bush of red shirts.
Essy Akida Mbeyu (Kenya)
The youngster kept Ugandan defense on check in the entirety of the game capping her splendid outing with a brace in the 49th and 89th minute.
Fatuma Bashir (Tanzania)
She is unlucky not to have opened goal account after her 36th minute stinging shot kissed the outer post. Made a very clever solo run through the halves to gift Asha the winning goal towards 70th minute.
Florence Imanizabayo (Rwanda)
Her introduction in the 34th minute changed the game for Rwanda. She momentarily halted Tanzania attack when she arrived, forcing the Kilimanjaro queens to score two own goals from her efforts in the 42nd and 44th minute.
The loss aside, Florence instantly wowed and became the fans favorite who cheered on every touch on the ball.
Maggy Mumezero & Djazilla Uwimeza
The Burundi duo are the most lethal attackers in the tournament so far going by their statistics. Djazilla sraled the first hattrick of the tourney capped with two assists while Maggy grabbed a brace and had a hand in three other strikes
1-3-5-2
Coach: David Ouma (Kenya) – very tactical, all his substitutions were on point. Climax was the introduction of Vivian Corazon who scored just after spensing five minutes on the pitch. Has also not conceded.