M. KisengeHarambee Starlets floor Cameroon to sail to second round of WAFCON qualifiers
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 26.09.23. | 17:15
Kenya forced the game into post-match penalties after winning the home tie 1-0. They had lost by the same margin in Cameroon
Harambee Starlets are through to the second round of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after edging Cameroon 4-3 on post-match penalties at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Starlets had won the game 1-0 inside regular time, forcing the winner of the game to determined from the spot as Cameroon came to Nairobi carrying similar advantage.
The team will meet the winner between Gabon and Botswana in the second round.
First half
The training sessions the team had after the first leg appeared to have cured the unattractive football the girls put in Douala as Starlets took control of the game from onset.
The build ups were simply attractive to the eye but the disconnect between the midfield and the attacking trio negated the good job the rest of the team was doing.
Lack of creativity left Mwanalima Adam, Terry Engesha and Esse Akida, who were tasked with getting the ball past the Cameroon goalkeeper, to feed on scraps as they had to fall back deep in midfield so as to get hold of the ball.
The Lionesses tried to overload the right side of the pitch but Vivian Nasaka worked overtime, dealing with all challenges thrown her way despite being double-pressed at times.
Skipper Ruth Ingosi proved why the armband was resting on her left arm as she marshaled the defence with ease, made timely interceptions and made accurate passes.
Her partner at the heart of the defence Phoebe Oketch as well as left back Enez Mango who was in the starting team after warming the substitutes bench in the first leg.
Much as the Kenyan backline didn't have much to do in the half, the burly Bisi Abam occasionally kept the busy, popping up to press and even hold the ball up so as to get numbers in the final third.
Starlets had their first attempt on target in the 20th minute through Engesha who whipped the ball from the left side of the area but was met by the waiting arms of Kiria Bihina.
The host pushed hard for breakthrough before heading to the breather but there was no passage as Cameroon sat deep and were good in limiting spaces to take the advantage with them to the break.
Second half
Before the ball could get rolling, Cameroon threw in three substitutes that were supposedly aimed at defending the slim advantage.
Kenya responded minutes later by introducing some fresh legs that seemingly gave the game more life as the Cameroon area became more busy.
The much sought after goal for the host came in the 75th minute through Cynthia Shilwatso who whipped hard a freekick few yards from the area with the ball slipping through the hands of Kiria.
Kiria had comfortably gathered the ball but what appeared to be a good catch turned disastrous as the ball slithered through her gloves and agonisingly crossed the line.
Two minutes later Shilwatso would have doubled the lead for Kenya but her effort from close range bounced off the woodwork. A good exchange in the box between the goal scorer and Violet Nanjala bore a quality pass to Shilwatso who beat the advancing custodian but the ball kissed the post much to the disappointment of the forward.
Starlets engaged an higher gear after the goal but were frustrated whenever they locked on the Cameroon door, leading for the winner of the duel to be determined from post match penalties.
Violet Nanjala, Cynthia Shilwatso Sheryl Angachi and Mwanalima Adam all converted their penalties with Ruth Ingosi missing hers.
Ajara Njoya, Achta Toyo and Nchout Ajara were on target for Cameroon with Naomi Eto and Fallone Tcheno missing.
Harambee Starlets Starting XI: Annedy Kundu, Phoebe Oketch, Ruth Ingosi, Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Vivian Corazone (Ketsia Ngaira), Sheryl Angachi, Mwanalima Adam, Terry Engesha (Elizabeth Wambui 46) Jentrix Shikangwa (Violet Nanjala), Esse Akida (Cynthia Shilwatso 57)
Cameroon Starting XI: Kiria Bihina,Mayi Kith,Ajara Joya,Ines Maague,Aboudi Onguene (Brenda Tabe 57),Grace Yango,Falone Tcheno,Moniqie Ngock (Naomi Eto 46),Vanielle Mireille ,Edith Mbeleck (Meyong Menene 46), Bisi Abam (Marie Ngono 63)
