NAIROBI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's women's football team start their journey for 2020 Olympic Games qualification on Wednesday against Malawi in Lilongwe.
Head coach David Ouma has retained just five players with international experience. Skipper Dorcas Shikobe, Janet Bundi, Mwanahalima Adam, Sheryl Angachi and Corazone Aquino will form the backbone of the squad.
"You need to refresh your team and you have to take a risk and start all over again," said Ouma on Tuesday as the team departed for Malawi.
"I am not afraid to give the youngsters a chance and I am certain they can step up. We have learned much over the past four weeks we have been in camp and the girls have really improved."
Ouma has promised Malawi a tough game despite their hosts boasting experienced players with several based abroad. Kenya warmed up for the match with a friendly against Ethiopia in Machakos, which they won 3-2.
"I know Malawi, having followed some of their games, and I know it will not be an easy game for us. The most important thing is to focus on what we can do as a team and ensuring our strong areas remain strong and that we believe in ourselves," added the coach.
"There is a huge task ahead of us but we want to go in there believing that we can do it. We are starting away from home and if we can get a good result there, then it will boost our confidence for the home match," he said.
In qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Kenya was eliminated in the preliminary round by South Africa, losing 2-0 on aggregate.
