Kenya coach David Ouma yesterday reacted cautiously to the draw for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations saying Harambee Starlets had been drawn in a “tough group.”
Ouma said Kenya will have to prepare adequately to go through from a group that also has last edition’s winners- Nigeria.
In the Sunday’s draw, done by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), Kenya was drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, eight-time winners Nigeria, and Zambia.
The tournaments that also acts as qualifiers for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played at two venues in Ghana from November 17 to December 1.
“I must admit it’s not an easy group. Nigeria have many years of experience and are the defending champions. South Africa, too, have been at the Cup of Nations for many years and finished in the medal bracket.”
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We have been evolving just like Zambia and we are equally good. It’s a very tight group, but we will give our best. Good preparation is crucial and each point counts,”[/perfectpullquote]
he said.
The Dutch trained coach said Kenya has potential to do well in Ghana and make it to the semi-finals stage.
“Last time out we lacked a bit of experience, but right now we have about five professional players, who will bring in more leadership into the squad. Our intention is to come out of the group.”
“We have been scoring goals, and all we just need for now is to make the players a bit more composed and we will get positive results,” he added.
Kenya will open the campaign against Zambia on November 18 in Cape Coast Stadium, a day after the group opening match that will put South Africa against Nigeria.
“We will play each match like a final as we not only target to reach semi-finals but also aspire to be at the World Cup,” an optimistic Ouma concluded.
Kenya only qualified for AWCON after Equatorial Guinea were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
In terms of their potential semifinal opponents, Group A contains hosts Ghana, Mali, Algeria and Cameroon.
The biennial tournament’s top three teams will qualify as Africa’s representatives to the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France.
