CECAFA showdown: Harambee Starlets eyeing glory as they gear to face Uganda's Crested Cranes

Harambee Starlets line up before facing Tunisia on February 21, 2024. (Photo: FKF)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Before the Starlets take to the field, Group B action will begin with hosts Tanzania facing off against Burundi in a 4:00 PM kick-off.

Harambee Starlets are looking to build on their winning momentum as they prepare to face Uganda's Crested Cranes in their second Group B match of the CECAFA Senior Women's Championship on Tuesday, June 17.

Quickfire goals by midfielder Martha Amuyolet in the first half and a late goal by substitute Faith Mboya were enough to hand the Starlets victory against Burundi in the match played at Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

More To Read

Riding high after their dominant victory over Burundi in the opener, the team is brimming with confidence and hopes to carry the same momentum into their clash with Uganda's Crested Cranes, who are ranked 148th globally, at 7:00 PM on Tuesday at the same venue.

Before the Starlets take to the field, Group B action will begin with hosts Tanzania facing off against Burundi in a 4:00 PM kick-off.

Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda are all participating in the regional tournament, which serves as a build-up to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to kick off in Morocco next month.

Ahead of the Uganda clash, forwards Swaum Nanjala Masungo and Faith Mboya voiced their belief in Kenya's ability to secure another positive result. Locally, Nanjala plays for Vihiga Queens while Mboya plays for the Kibera Soccer Women's team.

Masungo, who is making her debut appearance for the national team, credited her call-up to hard work at the club level and thanked coach Beldine Odemba for recognising her efforts. Though she admitted to being nervous during the opening match against Burundi, she said support from the coach helped her settle in.

As Kenya prepares to face Uganda, Nanjala added that she's now more confident and ready to "play for the badge,"

"I want to thank God because getting a call-up to the national squad is not easy. I worked hard at the club level. I want to thank coach Beldine for noticing my efforts and calling me to the national team," she said.

"We played against Burundi, and that was my first match. We played well and won, though I was a bit scared since it was my first time, but the coach talked to me and I'm more courageous; we must now play for our badge," she said.

Mboya also reflected on the Burundi match, expressing gratitude and pride after scoring her first-ever goal for the national team.

"When I stepped onto the pitch, I had a firm belief that I would score at least one goal for the national team. It was my first time scoring for Kenya," she said.