Birthday girl Akida eager to shine on big stage

Two days after her 24th birthday (18 November), Kenya forward Esse Akida is eager to announce her presence on the continental scene when the Harambee Starlets take on Ghana’s Black Queens in their Group B opener on Sunday in Limbe.

Akida was the top scorer during the COTIF invitational tournament in Spain last July as well as the CECAFA Women’s Championship in Uganda in September, scoring five goals in each.

Speaking ahead of Kenya’s debut at the biggest stage in women’s football in Africa,  she exudes optimism and confidence in their quest to shock the continent.

“As a team, our target is to get to the semi-finals and I know it is possible. We have trained very well and been together for a long time and that is something I believe has made us stronger as a team.

“It is a tough assignment definitely noting we are in a tough group, but no one should underrate us,” the pint-sized forward who turns out for Spedag FC in the Kenyan league says.

Also in Group B are holders Nigeria …

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