This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
On Saturday, August 17, 2019, Kenya's Starlets took on Ethiopia in an international friendly match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, emerging victorious with a 3-2 win.
Mwanahalima Adam was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist for the winning goal. Her first goal came in the seventh minute, as she outpaced the Ethiopian defense and slotted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper Balcha Tarikua.
However, Ethiopia managed to restore parity in the second half, with Ware Birtukan capitalizing on the Starlets' slow reaction to a free-kick. But Mwanahalima was not to be denied, scoring her second goal off a lob from Starlets midfielder Corazone Aquino.
Despite taking the lead, the Starlets were soon back on level terms, as Serkadis Kidane tapped in from close range after Annette Kundu in the Kenyan goal had failed to hold onto a loose ball. But the Starlets never lost hope, and in stoppage time, forward Mwanahalima Adam was hacked down as she went for goal. Gentrix Shikangwa stepped up to slot in the resultant spot-kick, securing the win for the Starlets.
The win sets the stage for the upcoming Olympics qualifier against Malawi, with the first leg scheduled for August 28, 2019, in Blantyre and the second leg set for September 4, 2019, in Nairobi.
