The national women’s senior football team head coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga has urged his players to remain ‘humble and focused’ ahead of their second Cecafa Senior Challenge game against Ethiopia on Monday.
The on-going regional tournament started on Thursday and will run through July 28 at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo.
She-Amavubi got off to a flying start as they stunned defending champions Tanzania 1-0 on Thursday afternoon, courtesy of Alice Kalimba’s header in the 34th minute.
“The win over Tanzania is a fantastic start; we set the pace that we should keep throughout the tournament. If we can beat champions, then we can defeat anyone. However, the players need to remain grounded and determined till end of the championship – the target is to win all the games and lift the title unbeaten,” Kayiranga told Saturday Sport in a post-match interview.
He further added that, “We showed zeal and character, absolutely the victory was a deserved one. If we keep the momentum, there will be no stopping us.”
In another game played on Thursday, Uganda also edged Kenya 1-0, thanks to a 7th minute striker from teenager Lillian Mutuuzo.
Action resumes today with the 2016 finalists Ethiopia facing Uganda at 2pm in search for first win while Kenya will be up against holders Tanzania at 4:30pm – both games at Kigali Stadium.
The hosts defending champions Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia are taking part in the Fifa-sponsored championship which will climax on July 28 in Kigali.
Rwanda women’s football team snatched a 1-0 win over reigning champions Tanzania to register a good start in the CECAFA Women Challenge Cup which started on Thursday at Stade de Kigali.
Rwanda earned the crucial victory courtesy of the 34th minute from Kalimba Alice who plays for the reigning Rwandan women league champions AS Kigali WFC. In another clash played on day one Kenya lost Uganda 1-0. Uganda won a corner in the sixth minute and the delivery was parried by goalkeeper Poline Atieno in the path of the unmarked Mutuuzo who had all the time in the world to slot past the Kenyan keeper.
Starlets response was immediate with Neddy Atieno’s goal in the 15th minute ruled out for an offside call; this coming a minute after the David Ouma coached team had a penalty appealed turned off by the referee. Mwanahalima Adam was to see her lob come off the bar two minutes later after getting to a Neddy through pass.
Uganda who had been containing their opponents well in the first half proceedings were unlucky to double their lead minutes into the break after they rattled Kenya’s post via free kick; the game going to the half time break with Uganda on the lead
The first tournament was played in Zanzibar in 1986 and won by the host team. After that, there was no tournament for the next 20 years. The try for reviving the women’s championship in the CECAFA region had been attempted in Zanzibar for October 2007. But the tournament was cancelled and never played.
The 2016 edition was hosted by Uganda and played in Jinja. There were no other bids to host the tournament. Burundi are expected to play their first official FIFA recognized games. Seven teams will take part, Group A: Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Zanzibar and Group B: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda.
CECAFA Women Challenge Cup 2018
Fixtures/Results
Thursday, July 19
Kenya 0-1 Uganda – (Stade de Kigali, 14:00)
Rwanda 0-1 Tanzania Mainland – (Stade de Kigali, 16:30)
Saturday, July 21
Ethiopia v Uganda – (Stade de Kigali, 14:00)
Kenya v Tanzania – (Stade de Kigali, 16:30)
Sunday, July 22: Rest Day
Monday, July 23
Uganda v Tanzania – (Stade de Kigali, 14:00)
Rwanda v Ethiopia – (Stade de Kigali, 16:30)
Tuesday, July 24: Rest Day
Wednesday, July 25
Kenya v Ethiopia – (Stade de Kigali, 14:00)
Uganda v Rwanda – (Stade de Kigali, 16:30)
Thursday, July 26: Rest Day
Friday, July 27
Ethiopia v Tanzania – (Stade de Kigali, 14:00)
Rwanda v Kenya – (Stade de Kigali, 16:30)