Kenya’s girls’ football team is set to face hosts China in the final match of the International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) World Cup in Dalian, China on Sunday.
The Kenyan team is on a fairytale run, having defeated world football powerhouses such as England, Germany, Brazil, and fellow African team Ghana to reach this stage. Remarkably, they remain unbeaten in their debut on the global stage.
Captain Fridah Sharon expressed confidence and determination as the team aims to end the competition on a high note.
“We have strictly followed our coach’s instructions and played as a unit, which has enabled us to make it to the final. Our main objective is to take the trophy home and make every effort that was made to get us here count,” Sharon said.
Sharon highlighted their strategic approach, noting that the team’s plan has been to study their opponents in the early minutes of the game and then adapt their formation and tactics accordingly.
“Right from the group stage, we were the underdogs, and the teams underrated us. We capitalized on that and took time to study our opponents’ game after which we would play our hearts out because we had nothing to lose,” she explained.
The Kenyan team secured their spot in the final with a convincing 3-1 victory over Brazil’s Samba girls in the semifinals. Goal scorer Elizabeth Mideva, Clotilda Auma, and Mitchel Waithera each netted a goal against the Brazilians, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Mideva attributed her good form to the exposure and fitness gained from participating in various tournaments, including a trip to Spain.
“I work very hard to improve my game and together with my teammates have played in various tournaments. We have done well so far, and our aim is to play well and win the title,” Mideva said.
While the Kenyan girls have thrived, the boys’ team was eliminated at the group stage. They finished second in Group G after losing 2-0 to Uganda, despite earlier victories over Benin (2-1) and Taipei (4-2).
As the final match approaches, the Kenyan girls’ team is focused and determined to continue their remarkable journey by bringing home the ISF World Cup trophy. With their unity, strategy, and resilience, they aim to make their debut tournament one for the history books.
