Harambee Starlets’ dream of lifting the CECAFA Women’s Senior Championship came to a heartbreaking end after a narrow 1-0 loss to Tanzania’s Twiga Stars in the final played at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Kenyan side had marched into the final unbeaten, displaying dominant performances throughout the group stages and semifinals. However, a single moment of misfortune in the second half was enough to crush their title hopes.
The final kicked off with both teams showing clear intent. Tanzania, boosted by the support of their home fans, pressed early and almost took the lead in the fourth minute. However, Kenya’s defence stood strong, led by goalkeeper Lillian Awuor who made a number of vital saves. The first half was largely cagey, with Tanzania controlling possession, but the Starlets maintained their composure and organization at the back.
The second half, however, brought an unexpected twist. Just three minutes after the restart, Tanzania’s Clara Luvanga unleashed a speculative long-range strike. Kenyan defender Enez Mango, in an unfortunate turn of events, misjudged the trajectory and turned the ball into her own net. The own goal proved to be the difference-maker, despite Kenya’s efforts to recover.
Tanzania continued to apply pressure, with Luvanga again threatening the Kenyan defence, but Awuor remained vigilant. The Harambee Starlets attempted to rally back, creating a few chances of their own, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
Kenya’s head coach, Beldine Odemba, responded by making key substitutions in a bid to revive the game. In the 75th minute, Tumaini Nafula was replaced by Edith Kemunto. Later, in the 84th minute, Medina Abubakar came on for Diana Wacera. Despite the fresh legs and tactical shifts, Kenya couldn’t break down Tanzania’s solid backline.
This final marked the end of a thrilling campaign for both sides. The Harambee Starlets had stormed into the final with a string of emphatic wins, including a 3-0 victory over Burundi, a 4-0 thrashing of Uganda, and another dominant 4-0 result against South Sudan.
Tanzania, meanwhile, were equally impressive throughout the tournament. They opened with a 4-0 win over South Sudan, followed by a crushing 6-0 win over Burundi and a clinical 2-0 victory over Uganda.
While Kenya fell just short at the final hurdle, their overall performance throughout the tournament remains a strong statement of the team’s growing stature in regional football. The heartbreaking loss will surely serve as motivation as they aim to bounce back in future competitions.
