Starlets to renew rivalry with Uganda in 2022 AWCON qualifiers

Harambee Starlets Captain Mwanahalima Adam, Neddy Achieng and Mercyline Anyango after beating South Sudan in the Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers return leg match at the Nyayo National Stadium, Oct 23, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] .

The national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets will renew their rivalry with neighbours Uganda's Crested Cranes when they clash in the second round of the 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers in February next year.

Kenya advanced to the second round after hammering South Sudan 15-1 on aggregate over last weekend.

On the other hand, Uganda sailed through after beating Ethiopia 2-1 on post-match penalties after the two teams tied 2-2 on aggregate at the end of the second leg played at Bahir Dar International Stadium in Ethiopia on Tuesday.

Kenya will host the first leg of the contest which is scheduled for February 14 before traveling across the border on February 23 to play Uganda next year.

In the 2016 AWCON tournament played in Cameroon., Kenya were knocked out in the group stage after losing to Ghana (3-1), Mali (3-1) and Nigeria (4-0).

Kenya missed the 2018 edition after falling to Equatorial Guinea in the qualifying matches. 

The 2022 AWCON finals will take place in Morocco between July 2 to July 23 and will double up as the African qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.