Why former Harambee Stars coach is backing Kenya to seal WAFCON return tonight

Former Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma has tipped the team to qualify for next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals.

Ouma holds a special chapter in the history of Starlets, as he was in charge when the team made their first appearance at the tournament in 2016.

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Ouma says watching the team return to the continental showpiece will be an ‘emotional’ moment for him.

Starlets take on The Gambia on Tuesday night in Senegal, with a draw of any kind being enough to guarantee them a place in the finals.

Starlets won, the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers, 3-1, in a match played last weekend at Nyayo Stadium.

Ouma, who is currently attached to Tanzanian side, Singida Black Stars, conceded that he will be glued to his screen to potentially witness Starlets secure their second WAFCON qualification.

“I have been talking to some members of the team, and my advice to them is to play for their lives. It is a very emotional moment for me because some of the members of the technical bench at the moment were my players.

Beldine Odemba (the current coach) was the team manager, and their qualification would mean that we passed on the mantle to a new generation of players and officials,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ouma reserved kind words for the Ministry of Sports and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for the motivation given to the team in a bid to encourage them to qualify.

President William Ruto pledged to give each player one million shillings should they win the match and qualify. The players will pocket Kshs 500,000 in case the match ends evenly.

“During our days, we did not have this kind of motivation, and I want to say that this will go a long way to push the players to perform. It is encouraging that the authorities are beginning to give the women's team the same motivation as their men counterparts,” he added.