The JKT Queens continued their dominance in the ongoing U17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in Dar es Salaam, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kenya Elite Junior Academy (KEJA).
The match was held at the Azam Complex Stadium in Chamazi, marking their second win in the competition after an earlier 3-0 triumph over KAS.
Lidya Kabambo opened the scoring for JKT Queens in the 29th minute, giving her team a 1-0 lead by halftime.
In the second half, Adija Sanyenge doubled the lead in the 60th minute. However, KEJA found a lifeline five minutes later when JKT Queens’ Furaha Kifaru accidentally scored an own goal.
Despite KEJA’s efforts to equalize, JKT Queens held on to secure the victory after 90 minutes of play.
After the match, JKT Queens' head coach Esther Chabruma expressed satisfaction with the win but acknowledged the game was not easy.
She praised her players for their cautious approach, given their opponents’ strong performance in the opening round. Chabruma promised to return to the training ground to prepare for even better results in the upcoming matches.
KEJA's head coach, Mildred Omari, commended her team’s effort but admitted defensive and attacking lapses cost them the game.
She expressed confidence in correcting these mistakes before their next match and regretted the missed chances that could have altered the outcome.
The JKT Queens squad included Mwanaidi Juma, Lidya Kabambo, Furaha Kifaru, Christer Bazil, Devotha Isack, Sundy Masasila, Yasinta Mitoga, Winfrida Gerald, Sabina Mafuru, Adija Sanyenge, and Angel Joseph.
KEJA fielded Velma Auma, Joan Ogola, Judith Nandwa, Fleviah Khatenje, Brenda Awuor, Emily Adhiambo, Jane Sakwa, Elizabeth Makora, Juliet Akinyi, Lorine Ishelia, and Sharline Munasia.
