Terry Engesha’s goal in the fourth minute was all Kenya’s Harambee Starlets needed to overcome Tunisia and make it to the final qualifying round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
After a goalless draw in the first leg in in Nairobi a week ago, head coach Beldine Odemba made a few changes to the starting team throwing in Jentrix Shikangwa and Terry Engesha for Fasila Adhiambo and Cynthia Shilwatso in the starting team following an outcry by fans from the reverse fixture.
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While Engesha’s goal helped Starlets to the next round, goalkeeper Lilian Awuor took all the headlines as she saved two penalties in the game.
The loan goal came after Engesha snapped on a miss-pass by the hosts’ defender Rania Aourina, beating a few opponents before firing past Barka Machado in the Tunisia goal.
Shikangwa who was leading the line missed two glorious opportunities in the first half with Odemba withdrawing him at the break for Violet Nanjala in the second half.
The first penalty for the hosts came at the stroke of halftime when right-back Janet Mumo brought Salma Zemzem down in the box. Awuor came to her teammate’s rescue saving the initial kick before blocking the rebound too much to the delight of the Starlets bench.
The referee pointed to the spot in the 78th minute for a second penalty to the hosts when Aouina went down in the box when Awuor had raced off her line to block her off her tracks. Awuor rose to the occasion again, this time, comfortably saving the penalty.
Kenya will now face Gambia in the last qualifying round for a place in the continental showpiece set for Morocco next year.
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