This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
On Saturday, 17 August 2019, Harambee Starlets faced off against Ethiopia in an international friendly match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos. The match was a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of their upcoming Olympics qualifiers against Malawi and Cameroon.
Kenya will start their 2020 Tokyo qualification campaign with an away match against Malawi in Blantyre on August 28, followed by the return leg in Nairobi on September 4. Ethiopia will also battle with giants Cameroon in a two-legged encounter.
Starlets coach David Ouma expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We are still building a new team, but so far I am pleased with what I have seen in the friendly match. Offensively we are perfect, what we need to work on is our defense."
Youngster Gentrix Shikangwa came off the bench to score a last-gasp penalty, securing a 3-2 win for Harambee Starlets. The match saw Mwanalima Adam score a brace, while Corazone Aquino and captain Dorcas Shikobe were the only senior players retained from the previous team.
Both teams were using the match to prepare for their upcoming Olympics qualifiers. The match was a crucial test for Harambee Starlets, who will face Malawi in their first qualifier on August 28.
