Tanzanian teams in CAF U-17 girls GIFT final
DAR ES SALAAM: THE stage is set for an exhilarating Tanzanian derby in the final of the CAF U-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) after JKT Queens clinched the top spot in Group A on Monday at Azam Complex Stadium.
JKT Queens will face TDS Girls, who secured their place at the summit of Group B on Saturday, following their second consecutive victory, the highly anticipated final is scheduled for this weekend on Saturday at Azam Complex.
JKT Queens secured their group lead with an emphatic 10-0 victory over City Lights FC and Winifrida Gerald was the star of the match, scoring four goals to bring her tournament tally to six.
Additional goals came from Adija Sanyenge (two), Yasinta Mitoga, Sunday Masasila, Janeth Matulanga and Christer Bazil, all contributing to the dominant win.
Earlier on Monday, the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) secured second place in Group A with a hardfought 2-1 win over rivals Kenya Elite Junior Academy.
Sarah Awino had given Kenya Elite Junior Academy the lead, but goals from Mitshel Muthama and Genevieve Mithel turned the game in KAS’s favour. Speaking after the match, JKT Queens Coach, Esther Chaburuma, expressed her pride in the team’s performance.
“We are extremely proud of today’s result. Scoring 10 goals and keeping a clean sheet reflects the hard work and determination of our players. It shows their commitment to representing JKT Queens with pride.
“Our goal has always been to showcase the talent and potential of Tanzanian girls on a bigger stage and we’re thrilled to have the chance to compete in the final. We will continue to prepare thoroughly and give it our all to bring the trophy home,” she noted.
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On the other hand, City Lights FC Coach, Donaciano Solomon praised his team for efforts they put, despite the heavy defeat.
“This has been our first time participating in such a major competition and I am incredibly proud of how the team performed, even in the face of this tough loss. We came here with high ambitions and we’ve learned a great deal from this experience,” Solomon said.
“Playing against some of the best teams in the region has highlighted areas for improvement and I am confident this tournament will be a valuable learning opportunity for our young players,” he added.
KAS will now face the second-placed team from Group B in Friday’s thirdplace play-off, which will be determined on Tuesday.
The decisive match in Group B will see Boni Consili Girls from Uganda take on Aigle Noir FC of Burundi. Both teams are currently tied with zero points and a -2-goal difference.
The winner of the Uganda-Burundi clash will play for third place, while the loser will meet Kenya Elite Junior Academy in the fifthplace play-off, also scheduled for Friday.
