Harambee Starlets suffer first leg defeat against Cameroon in WAFCON qualifiers

The women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, suffered a first leg setback in their quest of making the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Cameroon in the first-round qualification match played at the Stade de Reunification in Douala.

Playing in their first game since 2021, the side currently managed by Beldine Odemba, showed signs of rustiness all through and were made to pay for it when the hosts held onto a twelfth minute headed goal from Eliane Manbolamo to get the crucial advantage going into the second leg.

The 32-year-old defender who plies her trade for CD Getafe Femenino in Spain leaped highest inside the Kenyan box before finding the back of the net for her side.

That was the all-important strike that separated the two sides when the centre referee blew the whistle that brought the came to a close.

Following the loss, Kenya now have all the work to do in the second leg scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 26 September at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi in order to advance to the second qualification round.

The winning teams in the second round of qualifiers will book a ticket at next year’s showpiece that takes place in Rabat, Morocco.

In the second round, the winner of the two-legged first round tie will face off with the winner of the first-round tie between Gabon and Botswana, with either the winner of Kenya and Cameroon hosting the first leg fixture.

Harambee Starlets displayed an impressive performance in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers, where they recorded a resounding 15-1 aggregate victory over South Sudan in October 2021, paving way to the second and final round of qualifiers against Uganda’s Crested Cranes.

Unfortunately, due to the country’s FIFA suspension, the team did not have the opportunity to face Uganda, resulting in their exclusion from a possible spot in the 2022 WAFCON.

STARTING XI: Annedy Kundu, Juliet Andibo, Ruth Ingosi, Corazone Aquino, Vivian Nasaka, Sheryl Angachi, Cynthia Shilwatso, Wincate Kaari, Mwanalima Adam, Esse Akida, Tereza Engesha.

SUBSTITUTES: Caroline Rufa, Jentrix Shikangwa, Mercy Airo, Elizabeth Wambui, Lydia Akoth, Enez Mango, Phoebe Owiti.