Harambee Starlets players line up before their Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification match against Malawi at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on September 1, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 25 – Harambee Starlets assistant coach Jackeline Juma has warned Ghana to expect an attack minded team when the two teams clash away in Accra on October 4 for the Olympics qualifiers.
Kenyan team has been in training in Nairobi and will seek to stamp its prowess on the continent by winning the single automatic ticket for Africa to the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Eight teams remain in contention for the third-round ties including Ghana, nine-time African champions Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, South Africa, Gabon and Cameroon.
Juma has exuded optimism saying Kenya has what it takes to get a positive result.
“I believe in my player’s readiness to get another win and proceed to the last round,” said the coach on Wednesday in Nairobi.
“Ghana is a tough team since we played against them in 2016 and managed 1-1 draw but with enough zeal and practice, we shall be able to perform in the game.”
Nine-time continental champions Nigeria are the only African team to have played in FIFA’s eight Women’s World Cup tournaments since 1991, but they have failed to translate their continental dominance on the world stage.
The overall winners after the fifth round will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while the runners-up will contest a play-off against Chile, who finished in second place in the South American qualifying tournament.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets forward Mwanahalima Adam also expressed belief in the team and rallied her troops to keep focus and maintain the momentum they had in the last game winning against Malawi.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa said the team has been empowered and will be a hard nut to crack for Ghana.
“We will be seeking Olympics glory when Kenya host Ghana in the second leg of their third-round qualifier on Oct. 8 in Nairobi,” he said.
The dates of the intercontinental play-offs are still to be determined.
-By Xhinua-
