Today
Kenya Vs Uganda 2pm Rwanda Vs Tanzania 4:15pm
It is wonderful that Rwanda is hosting the regional Cecafa Women Senior Challenge for the first time, one would argue that it is a good stance to promote the female football in the country.
On the other side, one would as well question how the hosts have prepared for the tournament given that the team has been inactive for the last two years and was only summoned for residential camp less than two weeks ago.
Whether they are good to go or not, their readiness will be put to test this afternoon when they face reigning champions Tanzania at Kigali Stadium.
At the 2016 edition in Uganda, the last time the tourney was held, Rwanda never progressed from the group stage as they suffered two identical 3-2 defeats at the hands of Tanzania and finalists Ethiopia.
Well, since then a lot of strides have been made to improve the She-Wasps, including putting in place the women’s second-tier league and appointing Jean Baptiste Kayiranga as head coach.
While speaking to Times Sport on Tuesday, the former Amavubi coach said he had confidence in his ladies.
However, he acknowledged that the team lacked enough preparations and international matches, which would have put his side in a better position to vie for the crown.
In the quest for a historic first Cecafa title for the Rwandan female football team, Kayiranga will have to rely on some of the most experienced players on the team such as skipper Gloria Sifa Nibagwire, Edith Umulisa and goalie Judith Nyirabashyitsi
Going into the week-long regional tournament, it is no secret that the hosts rank well below some of their regional counterparts in CAF and FIFA rankings and all they will be hoping for is to defy the odds against opponents like Ethiopia, who rank 13th, and 17th-placed Tanzania on the continent.
She-Amavubi are in 40th position.
Friendly games help coaches to assess players and know if their tactics will work in a match-day situation. Those responsible should have accorded Kayiranga the opportunity.
Besides, it would raise the level of competitiveness among players from the domestic league since most of his players ply their trade locally. The other fact is that it could have given the coach an opportunity to bring in new players and get them to adapt to international football.
Rwanda battle Kilimanjaro Queens of Tanzania in the opening match today.
Coach Kayiranga, a Rayon Sports legend, believes a win in the opening game will set pace for his team before they face Ethiopia on July 23, Uganda on July 25 and Kenya on July 27.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw