East Africa: Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Queens Are Cecafa Champs

Two wonder strikes by winger Mwanahamisi Omari steered Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Queens to historic CECAFA Women title, beating Kenya 2-1 in Jinja, Uganda yesterday.

The victory dealt a blow to Kenya's Harambee starlet, who sailed to the final with a series of easy wins. From the onset, the Tanzanians proved to be the team set for mission with confident passing of the ball, closing spaces and tested Kenyan goalkeeper Vivian Akinyi on several occasions.

The Starlets who had never played with Tanzania in women football, saw their key players Mary Wanjiku, Nedy Atieno and Esse Akida, the usual Kenyan playmakers kept at bay by crafty Queens. Mwanahamisi's first goal came in the 26th minute with the second coming at the stroke of half time.

The Kenyan players bitterly protested the second goal awarded by FIFA referee Anna Akoyi, a strike from over 30 yards that was rewarded following consultations with the first assistant Docus Atuhaire.

The Queens reached the final after beating the hosts Uganda 4-1 in the semis with goals from skipper Asha Rashid, Stumai Abdallah and Mwanahamisi Omary.

The team opened their campaign with 3-2 victory over Rwanda's She Amavubi before they shared spoils with Ethiopia in their second group B match. Kenya reached the finals after easily beating all their Group A opponents, before facing the Kilimanjaro Queens hurdle.

Kenya's Starlets piled pressure in the first few minutes and managed to win first corner-kick of the match, but top scorer Esse Akida fruitlessly took it in the 2nd minute. Skipper Mary Kinuthia delivered another corner four minutes later but Neddy Atieno's tap went out wide before they secured a third one in the 10th minute.

That is when Kilimanjaro Queens woke up with a clear intention of winning the tournament. Mwanahamisi Omari almost put her side in the lead with a rasping shot which missed the target by an inch.

The pot kept boiling until the 27th minute when the loud and amazing Kenyan fans were momentarily silenced by Omari's goal. Tanzania had made use of a successful counter-attack after Kenya had created a threat to keeper Fatuma Omari. Omari continued with her playing tempo giving the Kenyan defence difficult time with attempts after attempts.

In the 44th minute, she hit past Vivian Akinyi for the Queens' second goal and her second of the day. Coach David Ouma must have given the ladies a bit of lessons in the dressing room as it was evident in the manner in which they played in the second half.

Christine Nafula unleashed a powerful header in the 48th minute to pull one back for Kenya in an encounter which was now being characterised by more pressure.

Tanzania's Fatuma Hamissi entered into the referee's book in the 55th minute following a bad tackle.

Kenyan coach David Ouma brought in Doreen Nabwire, Elizabeth Ambogo and Cheris Avilia to try work out things but The Queens proved strong to protect their lead. Even the three minutes of added time could not change the scoreline seeing Kenya walk out of the field disappointed.

The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Nape Nnauye lauded the team and officials for the victory which he said to be a good reward to the millions of success-hungry Tanzanians.

Teams lineups:

Kilimanjaro Queens: Fatuma Omari (GK), Asha Rashid (C), Anastazia Anthony, Mwanahamisi Omari, Fatuma Issa, Donisa Daniel, Fatuma Hamissi, Stumai Abdalla, Wema Richards, Maimuna and Amina Allly.

Harambee Starlets: Vivian Akinyi (GK), Ann Aluoch, Asol Wendy-Ann Achieng, Ogutu Irene Awuor, Nixon Dorcas Shikobe, Christine Nafula, Omondi Carolyne Anyango, Vivian Corazone, Mbeyu Esse Akida, Okoth Nedy Atieno, Kinuthia Mary Wanjiku.