This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Kenya's national women football team, Harambee Starlets, will face Ethiopia in a friendly match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday, August 17, 2019, as part of preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying campaign.
Kenya, who received a bye in the first round, will face Malawi in the second round of the qualifiers with the first leg set to be played on August 28 in Blantyre and the return leg four days later in Nairobi. The aggregate winner will then face either Gabon or Ghana in the third round.
Coach David Ouma has promised attacking football and expects a tough match from their opponents.
'We lost to Ethiopia in the Cecafa women's championship in Rwanda last year and we know they are a strong side, that's why we picked them for the friendly. Our preparations have been very good so far and we are going to attack from the word go,' said Ouma.
However, the team will be without several experienced players, including Esse Akida and the Sweden-based duo of Mary Kinuthia and Christine Nafula. Despite this, Ouma is optimistic that his charges will still do well against the Ethiopians.
'We might have a few additions to the final squad before we face Malawi but I am satisfied with the team and we are confident that we can get the job done,' Ouma told Nation Sport.
The Ethiopians arrived in the country on Thursday evening and held their first training session at the match venue on Friday afternoon. Coach Selam Zereaye says the team is here to learn.
'Kenya have one of the best female teams in this region and they will give us a good test ahead of our 2020 Olympics qualifier against Cameroon. They will help us identify what areas need to be fixed but I am also very confident that we will challenge them despite being away,' said Zereaye.
