Starlets urged to finish the job against S. Sudan

Harambee Starlets’ captain Mwanahalima Adam (left) and South Sudan’s Mary Kuach during the first leg on Wednesday at Nyayo. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Starlets will be seeking to finish the job when they play South Sudan today in the second leg of the second round of the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers at the Nyayo Stadium.

The match is being played in Nairobi as South Sudan are currently without a venue that meets the accepted FIFA standard.

Kenya thrashed South Sudan 8-0 on Wednesday, which left the second leg all but a formality for the Charles Okere led team to progress to the first round where they are likely to play against Uganda or Ethiopia.

Starlets are more likely to face Uganda’s Crested Cranes who defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Kampala.

Speaking ahead of the match, Okere said he believes the girls will seal the deal after a perfect performance in the first leg.

“We played well on Wednesday and I expected nothing more but an improvement. The morale is high and I expected the strikers to get even more goals today”

“The team’s main objective remains to feature at the AWCON games next year and I believe with hard work we can achieve that,” said the coach.

Neddy Akoth scored four-goals against the Bright Stars with Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam and Jentrix Shikangwa each notching a brace to complete the rout.

Starlets will now face off either Uganda or Ethiopia in the second round.