Sept 20, 2016
Jinja, Uganda
The CECAFA Women Final : Results Tanzania 2 - Kenya 1
The outcome of the Cecafa women final, was not one many expected with Tanzania on top. The Kilimanjaro Queens stars shocked Harambee Starlets in the final to become kings of the region. Mwanahamisi Omari inspired the victory infront of a packed gallery .
Source: NBS TV Uganda
Tanzania women team the Kilimanjaro Queens proudly with the Championship Cup Photo /additional info: Courtesy of
www.kawowo.com
2016 CECAFA Women championship:
Final: Kenya
1-2 Tanzania
3rd Place play-off: Ethiopia
4-1 Uganda
By the blow of the final whistle from the lips of FIFA Referee Anna Akoyi signaling the climax of Tanzania’s 2-1 triumph over Kenya at the Buikwe based FUFA Technical Center in Njeru, there were different emotions, reactions and story-lines to wrap up the red letter day of the region's women football.
For obvious reasons, the Tanzanian Kilimanjaro Queens jubilated wildly with beaming smiles, hugs and prayers - having won their first regional tourney since the event was last played thirty years ago.
The Kenyan players attacked the center referee as security whisked in swiftly to save the day.
Kenyan fans in the terraces were frozen, the few Tanzanians as well as the neutralists who had traveled applauded by blowing the famous vuvuzelas aloud, meanwhile the others screamed.
Tanzania had won the ten day championship after overcoming pre-tournament favourites Kenya 2-1 in a great contested final watched by the biggest crowd since the games kicked off.
Winger Omari Mwanahamisi put Tanzania ahead with a well converted strike 26 minutes into the game to take the lead.
From the onset, the Tanzanians had proved to be the team set for mission with confident passing of the ball, closing spaces and tested Kenyan goalkeeper Vivian Akinyi on several occasions.
Mary Wanjiku, Nedy Atieno and Esse Akida, the usual Kenya Harambee Starlet play-makers were all kept at well under check-mate.
Controversy:
The defining moment of the day and possibly the tournament’s talking point arrived two minutes to the mandatory half time break.
Tanzania’s Daniel Donisia drove towards the goal, she was tripped down towards the 18 yard goal mark, play ceased temporarily as though the whistle had been signaled.
Mwanahamisi shot towards the goal as the ball settled into the net, the goal was counted after referee Akoyi consulted with the first assistant Dorcus Atuhaire.
The Kenyan players bitterly protested the goal and it was not until the intervention of Kenyan official that stormed the field of play to cool the already charged Kenyans.
Play resumed for the remaining two minutes before half time came calling.
Upon restart, Kenya pulled a goal back through Christine Nafula following a goal melee that resulted from a perfectly delivered corner from team skipper Mary Wanjiku.
Kenya never recovered as the Tanzanians remained defensive for the rest of the game.
Security was swiftly called in to refrain the charged Kenyan players from attacking the day's referee when the final whistle was signaled.
Tanzania had won the battle.
Source:
Tanzania wins 2016 CECAFA Women Championship