Kenya women's U-20 national team Rising Starlets on Sunday secured a 6-1 victory over Angola in a FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier first-leg match held at Nyayo National Stadium.
Playing for a ticket to Colombia where the 2024 World Cup will be held, Valerie Nekesa scored a hat-trick, Charity Midewa brace and Faith Naliaka sealed the win ahead of the second leg.
Starlets broke the deadlock in the fourth minute, through Valerie Nekesa who outran the Angola defense and placed the ball beyond the reach of Helena Kambinda between the posts.
Two minutes later, Nekesa added the second before completing her hat trick in the 22nd minute as Kenya led 3-0 before the half hour mark.
Ivone Julio pulled a goal back in the 24th minute but Kenya would carry a three goal advantage to the break when Charity Midewa sent home a free kick at the stroke of half time for a 4-1 lead.
In the final half, Midewa picked from where she left to make it 5-1 after capitalizing on the Angolan defensive mistakes before Faith Naliaka came off the bench to round off the scoring with ten minutes remaining in the match.
The Rising Starlets will travel to Angola for the second leg on Wednesday as they prepare for the return leg on Saturday.
The aggregate winner of the match will face the winner of the second-round matchup between Cameroon and Botswana in the third round.
