Local women's basketball champions, Telkom are confident as they take on Academica Maputo of Mozambique in the Africa Club Championship first round first leg match at Nyayo National Stadium this afternoon.
It will be Telkom's first ever international tie at home and perhaps, the toughest test for coach Thomas Olumbo who took over the high riding side last year. The match starts at 3.30 pm.
Academica Maputo are not new to the local fans. Thery were in Nairobi to play Kenya Ports Authority in the same championship two years' ago.
The University of Maputo's young team stretched KPA to the limit in the return leg tie at Kasarani before bowing out on goal aggregate130-129. After having defeated KPA 68-61 in Maputo, the Kenyans turned tables to win the return leg 65-58 to tie it all 123-123.
It was a five minute over-time which saw KPA win 69-61 to become the first local club to qualify for the final tour of the prestigious continental cup. The Mozambicans will miss the magnificient surface at Kasarani.
Today, Kenyan fans ought to turn out in large numbers to get what Telkom coach Olumbo has been promising them. A big win.
Telkom made their debut in the international championship during the 1999 East, Central and Southern Africa Club championship in Lusaka, Zambia.
Without any experience, they did Kenya proud by overcoming experienced teams such as Kenya's Kencom Lionesses and Anse Etoile Stars of Seychelles to carry home the regional trophy.
Can a miracle happen this time in the Africa Club championship where a team from the region has yet to grab the Cup?
Telkom have been in non-residential full-day training at Nyayo National Stadium and coach Olumbo is satisfied with the team's preparations for today's tie.
Although they were not engaged in friendly matches during their preparations, Telkom registered a big morale booster by winning the Labour Day Cup in Nakuru two weeks ago.
Telkom's 69-46 victory over Kencom Lionesses in the final was an indication that the team is focused and strong enough to win today's showdown. The Nakuru tournament, where top teams including Kenya Ports Authority showed up, gave Telkom a great opportunity to gauge their strength before the national assignment.
It is no doubt that Telkom are the only local club which has retained majority of their experienced players mature to face any opposition.
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The veterans include international powerhouse Wilkister Oduor who will man the back court together with Eunice Ouma, signed recently from Kencom.
Telkom's defence will revolve around captain Pamella Asige and Mary Edith.Their fast-break passes have always left their opponents frustrated. Front court will be the responsibility of international Caroline 'Majeng' Achieng', a new catch from Kencom, towering Frida Makoha and slow but confident shooter Mikal Odhiambo.
Other players in Telkom's line up are: Maureen Akoth, Emilly Chepchumba, Pamella Ikonga and Emilly Nafuna. Coach Olumbo said they are on-form to perform national duty this afternoon.
Coach Olumbo who watched Academica's match in Nairobi said, two players, Svetlana Cabanelas who scored 22 points against KPA and team-mate Nadia Rodrigues are dangerous forwards if left loose.
Academica Maputo were due in yesterday on charttered flight and were booked at Kenya College of Communication Techology.
Match charges are; Sh 300, Sh100 for adults and Sh 30 for students. Match officials: Andy Suklal (Commissar), Simon Mofolo ( South Africa), Falaki Ahmed (Egypt). Table: Vitalis Gode (timekeeper), G. Omondi (scorer), Joseph Amoko and Stephen Nyakina (Statistics).
