Kenya reacts to Harambee Starlets’ heroics in CECAFA Championship

Kenya Harambee Starlets during their first leg of Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifier match against Zambia at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday, Nov 8, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National women's football team Harambee Starlets on Monday, November 26 dethroned holders Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Queens 2-0 in the CECAFA Championship final at the Chamazi Stadium, Dar es Saalam.

Vihiga Queens forward Jentrix Shikangwa came off the bench to score a second-half brace, inspiring starlets to lift their first-ever regional title.

Starlets came into the match off a defeat by Zambia in the fourth round of the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.

Shikangwa scored from the spot in the 20 minutes to full time before doubling the lead in the dying stages of the match.

Kenya claimed the title without conceding a single goal throughout the competition, scoring 24.

Starlets are expected to arrive back in the country today

In the third-place play-off tie Uganda beat Burundi 2-0.

GameYetu captured some of the reactions on social media:

Harambee Starlets at CECAFA

FT: Kenya ???????? 2-0 ???????? Ethiopia
FT: Kenya ???????? 12-0 ???????? Djibouti
FT: Kenya ???????? 3-0 ???????? Uganda
FT: Kenya ???????? 5-0 ???????? Burundi
FT:Kenya????????2-0???????? Tanzania

Goals scored 24
Goals conceded 0 — MBOYA PETER (@mboya84) November 26, 2019

Congratulations harambee starlets.we are so proud of you...no team is limited https://t.co/yIQBSgZCRR — mandela otieno (@OtienoMandela) November 26, 2019

Local football has at best bn a Gor Mahia affair. Harambee Stars has time and again failed to inspire most of us who love the game. But enter the new kids on the block, the starlets, and we could be looking at better days for Kenyan soccer.@harambee__stars @CarolRadull pic.twitter.com/tM6EzUmFgZ — Paul Gatero (@GateroPaul) November 26, 2019

Kenya ni nchi yangu,harambee starlets made as proud yaani mpaka tumeingia kwa bedroom ya watanzania na kuwafunga magoli mawili, congratulations are in order. — Elizabeth Onyango (@Elizabe10686330) November 26, 2019

Haters will always be out there to critisize. Kama nzuri ni nzuri.. @Nmwendwa and his team are doing a great job.. And congratulations Harambee Starlets#TeamBlue https://t.co/wwScfI18QI — Charles Otieno (@oticisse) November 26, 2019

Harambee starlets had leave camp cuz of no money .. now congratulations are pouring from everywhere... As usual want to associate themselves with success.. but they don't want to be part of the journey!!! — Wuod Luo (@reagkings) November 26, 2019