Harambee Starlets’ hope of qualifying to their maiden Olympic Games tournament have been crashed following the 1-0 defeat to Shepolopolo of Zambia in the second leg of Tokyo 2020 qualifier.
Following 2-2 draw game at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani last Friday, the Kenya women’s national team bowed out on a 3-2 aggregate.
Mweemba Lushomo scored the lone goal in the 57th minute with a well-taken free-kick which easily beat Kenya’s goalkeeper Annette Kundu.
The first shot of the game came courtesy of Rhoda Chileshe in the 14th minute but the forward fired her effort wide of the target.
Barbara Banda came close in the 20th minute with a shot from distance but Kundu managed to tip the striker’s effort over the bar.
Zambia were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute but Rachel Kundananji’s effort came off the bar.
David Ouma’s charges were living dangerously from then on, playing a high line while the hosts were brilliant at playing balls over the defence, although they were just lacking the finishing touches in the final third.
Starlets were absorbing the pressure early in the second stanza and searching for chances on the break, and Mwanalima Adam’s run on a counter sent Zambia defence panicking.
Gentrix Shikangwa tried her luck from range three minutes later but the 17-year-old forward fired her effort high over the bar.
That said, Shepolopolo seized control in the 57th minute when Mweemba Lushomo sent her free-kick past Kundu.
Vivian Corazone came close to equalising for Starlets in the 64th minute but the winger’s deflected effort went just wide of the right-hand post.
Cynthia Shilwatso tried her luck from range in the 81st minute but Hazel Nali did well to deny the Starlets’ midfielder.
Barbara Banda to her side’s rescue in the 86th minute as she cleared a goal-bound header off the line, to sustain her side’s lead.
Zambia meanwhile advances to the fifth round of the qualifiers, where the winner will qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Photo Credit: Allan Matiya’s Facebook page
