Coach Ariko excited after Kenya selected to CAF womens CL qualifiers

Eldoret Falcons head coach Joshua Ariko has welcomed the move by CAF to select Kenya as host nation for the first ever CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for the CECAFA regions saying it was a good opportunity to market female footballers in the county.

Last week, CAF announced Kenya would host the event between June and August with the winner earning a ticket to represent the East African region at the continental showpiece.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Ariko said this is the ripe time where talents which haven’t seen limelight will be discovered.

“This is a very nice idea CAF has initiated and it will sell our women talents not only in East Africa but in Africa at large. Kenya being given opportunity to host the East Africa regional qualification it’s a good indication that our women football has gone a notch higher and its time now for our girls to shine and show Africa and the world at large what they are made of.”

“This tournament will comprise club from all part of Africa hence other clubs will be willing to know how other regions are fairing on and it you never know, many of our players and from East Africa at large may get chance to play in other big clubs”

Beside the club championship, Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) has accepted to host the 2021 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup a decision which was reached in meeting at the Sofitel Hotel in Rabat Morocco Thursday of last week after meeting comprising member of the Association.

The 2021 CECAFA Women senior Challenge will be hosted by Djibouti while Tanzania was awarded a chance to host CECAFA Kagame Club championship as Uganda will host U-20 Women Challenge cup.

It was however reached that Somalia will not take part in the Women’s Champions League qualifier, while all other member Associations other than Rwanda and Eritrea confirmed their participation.

Ariko is now gearing up for a Kenyan Women Premier League (KWPL) weekend clash against Kisumu All Starlets a match which he is optimistic of snatching three crucial points after falling 3-2 last weekend against Nakuru Ladies at the Eldoret show ground.