Kenya international scoops top award in Romania after outstanding season

Harambee Starlets custodian Lilian Awuor has emerged as the top goalkeeper of the Superliga Feminina, Romania's premier women's football league, for the regular season.

Awuor's stellar performances for her club, Farul Constanţa, saw her keep nine clean sheets in 14 matches, playing a pivotal role in her team's success as they finished at the top of the league with 40 points out of a possible 52.

Farul Constanţa also boasted a solid defense, conceding just five goals all season and remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign.

The 25-year-old, who represented Kenya at the 2016 Africa Women's Cup of Nations as one of the back-up goalkeepers to Samantha Akinyi, made her debut for the national team in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan.

However, in the last two years, Awuor has disappeared from the national team setup, with the likes of Annedy Kundu and Carolyine Rufa preferred between the posts.

Awuor was also Vihiga Queens’ first-choice goalkeeper when they won the CECAFA Region Women Champions League Qualifiers in 2021, consequently qualifying for the first edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the final.

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Her impressive performances at Farul Constanţa saw her return to the national team in November. She was between the posts for two friendly matches against Morocco, where Kenya drew 2-2 in the first match before demolishing the hosts 5-0 in the second.

The Romanian league is now on a break and will resume on Sunday 16 February 2025, with Farul set to host Gloria 2018 Bistrita Women in their opening game.

Bistrita finished fourth in the recently concluded season with 24 points, 16 behind league winners Farul.

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