DAR ES SALAAM — Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will face Uganda’s Crested Cranes this evening in a critical Group B fixture of the 2025 CECAFA Women’s Championship. The match will kick off at 7:00 PM EAT at the Azam Sports Complex in Chamazi, with both teams chasing a spot in the semifinals.
Kenya comes into the match with momentum after a commanding 3-0 win over Burundi in their opening game. Coach Beldine Odemba’s side displayed tight defense and efficient finishing, setting the pace early in the tournament.
Uganda, the defending champions, started with a narrow 1-0 loss to Burundi but bounced back with a 5-0 rout of South Sudan. That result keeps their title hopes alive, but a loss to Kenya would complicate their path forward.
Speaking ahead of the match, Odemba said, “The girls are focused. We know Uganda is a strong team, but we’re prepared to play our game and get the result we need.”
The rivalry between Kenya and Uganda in regional women’s football has grown in recent years, adding tension to an already high-stakes encounter. Uganda lifted the CECAFA title in 2022 and will be eager to defend it against a Kenyan team hungry for continental glory.
In today’s earlier match at 4:00 PM, host nation Tanzania, also known as the Twiga Stars, will play Burundi. Both teams are level on three points after their opening victories.
The CECAFA Women’s Championship continues to showcase top talent from East and Central Africa. The group stage will determine the top two teams from each group to advance to the knockout rounds.
This year’s tournament, hosted in Tanzania, has attracted national attention as regional football programs continue to invest in women’s sports development.
The Starlets will need a win or at least a draw to remain in firm control of their group standings. With both Kenya and Uganda known for physical play and quick counterattacks, tonight’s clash promises to be one of the most closely watched matches of the tournament.
