In Summary
- Harambee Starlets host Cameroon in a return leg after losing 1-0 in Yaoundé last week.
- Kenyans turn up in numbers to support the Starlets.
- 1st half presents a win-win match with both teams giving a good account of themselves.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets hosted Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in a return leg at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi after losing 1-0 away.
At home, Kenya beat the Lioness 1-0 in a very entertaining match to force the game into penalties. Cameroon lost 4-3 in the penalties.
READ also: Harambee Starlets Kick Start Preparations For 2024 WAFCON Qualifiers
The game!
The first half proved a win-win match with both teams giving a good account of themselves. Both teams threatened to score against each other with the 1st half ending 0-0.
It was a goal-to-goal raid, coaches and fans on the edge until the 20th minute of the second half.
Harambee Starlets Cynthia Shilwatso netted the long-awaited goal sending the stadium into frenzy.
A near second but Starlets hit the goal post at the 24th minute.
Kenya’s goalkeeper Caroline Rufa made spectacular saves to keep away the lionesses who kept charging.
The game ending at 1-0, meant it went into penalties to realize an ultimate winner.
Penalties
It was Kenya’s Rufa to save the day from a wounded Lionesses team.
Kenya missed it first penalty, while Rufa saved the second penalty for Kenya.
Kenya would go ahead to score the second one, Cameroon too. Same for the third penalties.
Cameroon hit the bar on the fourth one and it was Kenya’s turn. They netted a clean one!
It was a last one for Kenya and they scored a perfect one!
Cameroon Indomitable Lionesses loses to Kenya!
With the win, Kenya now qualifies for the final WAFCON (Womens’s Africa Cup of Nations) 2024 round. Kenya is now set to face Botswana in their first match of the final round.
An equally tough and tactical Botswana edged out Gabon on a 10-1 aggregate to qualify.
Well attended match
With the entry free, Kenyans headed to the call to come in numbers to support the Starlets.
The coach Beldin had put an appeal through media urging Kenyans to turn up in large numbers.
She reckoned that is what they lacked most to boost the girl’s moral. They were confident a win was possible having ended the last campaign with a 9-4 aggregate.
Losing 1-0 in Yaounde Cameroon was a moral booster.
“We lost only 1-0 and if we get stadium support today, we can beat Cameroon. The last time they beat us 9-4 in aggregate, which shows an improvement from our side. Please come to the stadium and support us” Beldine Odemba, Harambee Starlets coach pleaded with the fans.
READ also: Nyayo Stadium to Host Starlets Match against Cameroon
Local chants and songs raised their spirits during the match, living to the Starlets expectations.
