This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Kenya's Harambee Starlets are on the cusp of regional glory, but Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Queens stand in their way in the 2019 Cecafa Women's Challenge Cup final.
Hosts Tanzania are the defending champions, having won the inaugural edition in 2016 in Uganda, and Starlets will be seeking to redeem their 2-1 loss in last year's final.
Kenyan girls have been blooded at the women's Africa Cup of Nations and had a fine run in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers, but it is the statistics for this Cecafa championship that makes a convincing case of a potentially explosive clash.
Starlets rode through their matches like a juggernaut, crushing all before them to score a tournament high 22 goals for none conceded, while Tanzania similarly steamrollered their opponents to record 21 goals scored for none let in.
Starlets were nominated for the Best National Women Football Team in Africa award by the Confederation of African football, alongside Africa's football bigwigs Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria, following their outstanding display at the 2020 Olympic qualifier.
"We are humbled by the nomination. It goes to show the good work being done behind the scenes to develop women's football," said Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.
Starlets top scorer midfielder Jentrix Shikangwa with 10 goals, Mwanahalima Adam, defender Vivian Odhiambo, and forward Mercy Airo, who is making a comeback after one match suspension, will be the players to look out for.
Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Queens too have firepower to beat Kenya again at this stage, with their quartet of Asha Rashid, Mwanahamisi Omary, Stumai Abdalla, and Donisia Minja having all together scored 15 goals combined.
