Kenya’s Vihiga Queens face a tough mission when they lock horns with Morocco’s ASFAR at Al Salam Stadium, Cairo today at exactly 4p.m.
Queens will have to play a fast and clinical game in front of the goal if they are to gain maximum points against Morocco's ASFAR to revive their semi final hopes in the ongoing Caf Women's Champions League.
The Cecafa representatives need to win the remaining two matches to guarantee themselves a place in the last four after losing 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns courtesy of Melinda Kagadiete strike in the opening Group B match on Saturday 6th November. The three-time national league champions played defensively against Mamelodi, a strategy that turned out to be counterproductive. Vihiga had goalkeeper Lilian Awuor to thank after pulling several world class saves to deny the South Africans a bigger win.
Awuor's heroics saw her named Player of the Match but ASFAR offers an even tougher challenge at the El Salam Stadium.
ASFAR striker Sanaa Masoudy scored the first hat-trick in the inaugural competition as the Abadallah Haidamou's tutored side charged past Nigeria's River Angels in the 3-0 win. “The first 3 points give us huge motivation for the rest of the matches. Every coach wishes for his players to be the best,” Abdallah Haidamou, Coach.
"First we need to understand that in order to qualify to the semifinals we have to collect maximum points because anything other than that will be detrimental to our chances," Queens coach Charles Okere said. "We need to play a high tempo match and maximise our chances. We need teamwork, composure and players to express themselves freely."
Vihiga are third in their group and have a fully fit squad according to Nyamunyamu, adding that the conducive weather gives his charges the perfect chance to thrive.
ASFAR top the standings following their cruising win as Mamelodi sit second courtesy of inferior goal difference. River Angels are bottom of the table after shipping out three goals.
Sundowns take on Angels at the same venue in the 7:00 p.m kick off. Vihiga end their group encounter on Friday as they square it out with Angels. The match pitting Sundowns against ASFAR the same day will determine who tops the group and another team that progresses. The continental tournament was launched in September last year and will be an annual competition if Caf is to be believed.