This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On August 28, 2019, Harambee Starlets faced off against Malawi in a Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifier first leg tie in Blantyre, Malawi. The match ended in a 3-2 loss for the Kenyan team.
Starlets assistant coach Jackline Juma expressed confidence in her team's ability to progress to the next stage, citing their resilience and determination.
Kenya head coach David Ouma was rushed to the hospital after slamming a glass door in frustration with the referee's decisions. Juma also lamented the unfair treatment by the referee, stating, "The referee wasn’t fair at all and that affected the morale of the players, but I am happy with how they responded – they never gave up. I was confident even before the match and I am still confident we will win at home and sail through."
Malawi took the lead in the 13th minute with a free-kick from Madina Nguluwe. Cynthia Shilwato sent a rasping free-kick in the 32nd minute that hit the crossbar, but Mwanalima Adam's follow-up shot went wide.
Starlets got the equaliser just minutes later, Shilwato sending in a beautiful free kick after Mwanalima was fouled outside the box. However, Malawi went back in the lead just three minutes later, with Temwa Chiwanga dribbling past three defenders to set up her sister Tabitha Chiwanga, who slotted past the advancing Starlets custodian Annete Kundu.
Malawi went 3-1 courtesy of Tabitha Chiwanga's penalty in the 39th minute, but Starlets kept pushing and were rewarded in the 81st minute, with Samir Amidu's clearance bouncing off Elizabeth Wambui into the net.
The two teams will play in the return leg behind closed doors at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Sunday, with the aggregate winner set to face either Ghana or Gabon in the third round of the qualifiers.
