Harambee Starlets thrash South Sudan 7-1 in Awcon qualifiers

Harambee Starlets Tereza Engesha dribling ball past Dorka Lam of South Sudan in the Africa Women Cup of Nations Qualifiers return leg match at the Nyayo National Stadium, Oct 23, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Starlets on Saturday thrashed South Sudan 7-1 to sail through to the final round of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco in the month of July.

The win saw them complete a massive 15-1 aggregate win over South Sudan in the second round qualifiers played at Nyayo Stadium between the last four days.

Jentrix Shikangwa, Mwanahalima Adams and Neddy Akoth each scored a brace as Kenya completed the rout.

Starlets captain Adams gave Kenya a first half 2-0 lead after scoring early in the opening half.

In the second half, substitute Shikangwa bagged her brace same as Akoth with Lydia Akoth also joining the score sheet. Amy Lasu scored South Sudan’s consolation goal.

The win saw them complete the rout that started on Wednesday when they hammered them 8-0 where Neddy Akoth scored four goals.

Kenya will now likely meet Uganda in the final qualification round where if they knock out the rival neighbours, Starlets will proceed and join hosts Morocco in the 12 team tournament.

Uganda will travel to play Ethiopia on Tuesday carrying a 2-0 goal advantage.

Morocco qualified automatically as hosts, while the remaining eleven spots will be determined by the qualifying rounds.

Harambee Starlets Captain Mwanahalima Adam (right) and Kilega Lokanga of 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 final qualification rounds of qualifiers, meanwhile, are scheduled to take place between February 14-23 next year.

The 2022 Awcon will double up as the African qualifiers for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The top four teams will qualify for the World Cup, and two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.

The Awcon had been scheduled to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was supposed to be the first edition to feature 12 teams.