Ethiopia beat Starlets again

Harambee Starlets' Neddy Atieno (right) and Cecilia Nengono of Equaitorial Guinea during AWCON qualifier first leg at Kenyatta stadium Machakos County on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya continued their poor run in the ongoing CECAFA Women Championship as they lost 0-1 to Ethiopia yesterday at Stadi de Kigali, Nyamirambo.

Meselu Abera scored Ethiopia’s lone goal in the half hour mark from a free kick. This was the second goal for the midfielder in the championship.

With the win, Ethiopia top the table standings with six points ahead of Uganda who also have the same number of points but with inferior goal difference.

Kenya are tucked bottom in the standings in the five-nation championship with a single point they picked in their second match against Tanzania.

The match started well with both sides sizing up each other but it was Ethiopia who were a better side earning a free kick in the first minute.

Abera’s effort almost yielded fruits when Starlets custodian Poline Atieno punched away the ball and the Ethiopian composed herself and collected the ball.

Kenya replied immediately with Neddy Atieno on the mark but she failed to convert as it went wide for a goal kick.

In the eighth minute, Ethiopia missed a clear chance six yards outside the box when Abera connected a pass to Mirkat Ayele that went over the bar.

Starlets replied a minute later only for striker Mwanahalima Adam to be ruled offside.

Starlets resorted to long range shots to unlock the tight Ethiopian defence and Cythia Shilwatso unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area that Ethiopia’s custodian Nigist Mersha collected.

In the 26th minute, Adam could have opened the score sheet when she calmly controlled the ball in the area and failed to convert.

Meselu Abera did not disappoint as she dribbled past Kenyan defenders and goalkeeper and fired a thunderbolt into the left mounted a wave of attacks with Neddy Atieno attempting a long shot but it went wide.