National women deaf football team’s assistant coach Ken Kafedhi is oozing with confidence ahead of the Africa qualifiers set to kick-off in Nairobi on September 11.

Kafedhi who was taking the team to their paces on Friday, said they were 100 per cent ready for the championships that is supposed to bring together 16 countries and will also act as a qualifier for the 2022 Deaflympics Games in Brazil.

“As far as I’m concerned, we are well prepared and ready for the championships.

The morale in camp is high and I believe the girls will produce positive results,” he told PD Wikendi.

He added: “We will do our best to make Kenyans proud and qualify for the Deaflympics in Brazil next year.

We just need to finish among the top two, nothing else. I can’t pick any team as our main threat in the competition, we are just going to take one game at a time and hopefully retain the trophy at home.”

On the strategy to be deployed, the tactician said they would capitalise on opponents’ weaknesses once they study them.

The team’s captain Emily Odhiambo echoed her coach’s sentiments and said they were in high spirits and would seize the home advantage to reign supreme.

“We are all motivated and aiming to qualify for the Deaflympics in Brazil next year.

It’s a great feeling to participate in the championships as a host nation, but we must capitalise on the home advantage and make Kenyans proud,” she said.

She added: “Many people have never seen or witnessed the deaf players in action, this is a moment to showcase our talent.

We have been somehow inspired by Harambee Starlets performances more-so their Cecafa title triumph in 2019. We can’t match them, but we are determined to lift this trophy at home.

We are leaving nothing to chance to ensure we secure a podium finish and book a ticket to Brazil.”

Odhiambo said the team had gelled well and each player was yearning for success.