Kenyans expressed their delight with the women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, following their impressive performance in the ongoing CECAFA Women’s Championship.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsHarambee Starlets took on the Crested Cranes of Uganda and handed them a 4-0 hiding in a match played on Tuesday, 17 June, at the Azam Complex Stadium.Diana Wacera gave Kenya the lead in the 18th minute from a header before captain Dorcas Shikobe doubled Starlets’ advantage in the 26th minute after Uganda failed to clear their lines from a Kenyan set piece.Tusker striker Ryan Ogam opens up on how failed transfer deals affected himTwo minutes later, Lavender Akinyi played a defence-splitting pass to set up Violet Nanjala, who found the back of the net to give Kenya a 3-0 lead at the break.In the second half, Martha Amunyolet continued with her impressive debut tournament for Kenya when she scored the fourth goal in the 80th minute and her third goal in the tourney to make it 4-0 at full time.Kenyans took to various social media platforms, and on Mozzart Sport’s senior writer Kevin Teya’s Facebook page, fans in a light-hearted response called for Starlets to also serve as the men’s team.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982681##“With immediate effect, this should now be renamed Harambee Stars. The current one is a great disappointment. Congratulations, our sisters,” posted George Mayaka.Victor Mwangi seemed to be in agreement with Mayaka, noting that the Starlets most often than not bring joy to the fans.“Maybe we should only consider the Harambee Starlets as the national team and not the men’s team. These ladies rarely disappoint. Congratulations on your win. Just make sure we beat TZ.”A look into Kasarani Stadium’s newly refurbished VVIP lounge [VIDEO]Prior to the win against Uganda, Harambee Starlets, who had poor preparations leading to the tournament, thrashed Burundi 3-0 in their opening match and seem to be better as the tournament progresses.It is for that reason, a social media user under the username, Boy Wa Mtaa, chose to look at Kenya’s results as a pattern that will conclude with a 6-0 victory over arch-rivals Tanzania.“We started by winning 3-0 against Burundi. We have now thrashed Uganda 4-0. Next, we will beat South Sudan 5-0 and will complete the tournament by beating Tanzania 6-0,” he noted.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982676##On the Harambee Starlets Facebook page, Ochieng Lizz showered the players with praise and tipped them to win the Championship.“Congratulations to our sisters for making all women footballers who remained behind like us (proud). Your determination and passion to represent your country well are seen. We pray that you finish in the first place.”On his part, Amos Obware took a swipe at the players who declined call-ups to join the team, sparking rage from Kenyans prior to the tournament.Kenneth Muguna responds to critics after landing title with Kenya Police“How do those who turned down the call up feel wherever they are when they see young girls doing great things?” he posed.Renowned sports journalist Zachary Oguda, through his Facebook page, also had similar sentiments to those of Obware.“In Tanzania, the players who wanted to play for the country are representing the country well, the rest are having merry. There is also one captain in the World (Dorcas Shikobe),” he posted.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982686##Oguda also took time to sing Vihiga Queens’ midfielder Martha Amunyolete’s praises.“Martha Amunyolete has grabbed this national team call-up with both hands. That’s how you reward trust. She’ll be hard to dislodge if she can continue this way.”Apart from the three points, captain Shikobe also won herself Tsh250,000 (approximately Ksh12,250) after she was named Player of the Match.FKF proposes return of 16-team KPL in a raft of league structure changesAs it stands, Kenya is second in the tournament with six points, the same as leaders Tanzania, but the latter have a superior goal difference, 10 as compared to Kenya’s seven.The Beldine Odemba-coached side will face South Sudan in their next match on Thursday, 19 June, before completing the Championship with a clash against hosts Tanzania on Saturday, 21 June.Kenya is using the Championship as part of their preparations for their upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against The Gambia in October.
