Starlets knocked out of Olympics as Zambia secure final round

Kenya Harambee Starlets' Ruth Ingosi in action against Zambia at Kasarani on Friday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National football women’s team Harambee Starlets have been knocked out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifying tournament after losing 1-0 (3-2 on aggregate) to Zambia’s Shepolopolo in yesterday’s return leg of the penultimate round at Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka.

The Starlets went to Lusaka needing a high scoring draw or a win of any kind to progress to the final round after a 2-2 draw in Nairobi last Friday, only for Lushomo Mweemba to dash their dreams with a second half strike.

Kenya had to finish the game with one player less after Ruth Ingosi was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 87th minute.

With the victory, Zambia have booked a date with today’s winner between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire in Yaoundé. The first leg ended in a barren draw in Abidjan on Saturday night.

 The winner on aggregate in the final round will directly qualify for next year’s global show-piece in Japan, while the loser will face off with Chile in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Zambia could have taken the lead in the 17th minute when Barbra Banda was tripped in the box by Ingosi, but Rachael Kundananji missed the resultant penalty.

This came ten minutes after Starlets goalkeeper comfortably stopped Mweemba’s attempt.

Kenya qualified to the fourth round after stunning giants Ghana 1-0 on aggregate but the Olympic slot has proved a bridge too far.