Harambee Starlets finish third in Turkey tournament

Harambee Starlets celebrate their victory during Olympic Qualifiers match against Black Queens of Ghana at Kasarani on Tuesday, Oct 8, 2019.H [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya women’s national football team Harambee Starlets finished third in the just concluded Turkish women tournament.

Starlets finished behind group leaders Chile and Ghana who finished first and second respectively after one win in three matches.

Their solitary win came in the first match of the tournament after goals by Janet Bundi and Jentrix Shikangwa helped the David Ouma led side ease past Northern Ireland.

The national side was then thrashed five-nil by Chile in the second match of the tournament setting up the battle for the runners up position between Kenya and Ghana.

Ghana had lost their first match three-nil to Chile and walked into Kenya’s match on a four-nil thumping of Northern Ireland in the second match.

Writhing on exerting revenge after Kenya eliminated them in the Olympic Qualifiers at Kasarani Stadium last year, the Black Queens showed their intentions by scoring a goal just nine minutes into the match.

In the second half, the West Africa side put the game out of Kenya’s reach by scoring two goals with Starlets consolation goal coming at the tail end of the match.

With two wins and six points, Ghana secured the second position walking away with silver medals.

Kenya’s Sheril Angachi was named the best midfielder in the tournament, the Gaspo Youth FC midfielder was picked for the award after her impressive performance in the middle of the park for the Starlets.

Harambee Starlets' Sheryll Angachi celebrates her goal in a past match. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Starlets were using the international tournament to prepare for their Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON)qualifying match against Tanzania scheduled for next month.