WAFCON: All to play for as Starlets fall to Cameroon in first leg tie

Kenya women’s national team - Harambee Starlets - hopes of sneaking a first leg win on the road suffered a dent on Friday 22 September night as the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon secured a 1-0 win in the 2024 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier matchup staged at the Stade de Reunification de Doula, Doula.

A 12th minute headed goal by Eliane Manbolamo would at the end of the night give the hosts a deserved lead in the two-legged tie, even as Kenya seek to rebound from what was a rather slow start qualifying for next year’s showpiece, with a do-or die return leg on 26 September at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Kenya, with loads of bravery from the get-go, saw their industry worked up early on, and it was only a matter of minutes before the hosts, clearly more physical and composed on the ball, took command of the game and never looked back.

Game Summary.

Jean Baptiste Bisseck’s ladies showed their speed early on in front of their fans and took an early lead through Manbolamo in the 12th minute.

The 32 year old defender plying trade in CD Getafe Femenino in Spain leaped highest inside the Kenyan box before powerfully heading the ball onto the underside of the bar and past the Kenyan defense for the game’s opener that you might admit, had been coming.

Beldine Odemba’s side was struggling to keep hold of the ball and albeit the high press employed by the frontline, often found themselves on the backfoot.

Cameroonian captain Gabrielle Aboudi came close after fifteen minutes as she lashed her right foot shot just wide off Anenedy Kundu’s goal, and as it panned out, it was going to be a long night for her.

Mwanalima Adam carved out Kenya’s closest opportunity in the half, as it seemed, as her corner on the left side seemed to curve goalwards, before a rather nervy palm from Michaely Bihina pushed the ball just wide off the right upright.

Linkoping’s Michaella Abam came close to exposing Kundu as she ran outside her area only for her initial cut-back to be deflected out for a corner.

The lanky striker would then head her ball onto the path of Jeannette Ngock Yango in the 37th minute, saving Starlets from what looked like a sure second goal.

A long shot from Hyundai Steel’s Tereza Engesha after 39 minutes looped slightly over the bar, but looked to take a beating on the Kenyan striker as she hobbled off the ground only to remake her entry minutes afterwards.

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Aboudi came close once again with a powerful header in the first minute of first half added time only for it to sail over the bar.

The second half would turn out to be of little contrast to the opening period as Cameroon, who seemed to take the gas off the pedal with their lead, dominated much of the game’s events, and should have buried in a second with just a quarter of an hour left in the contest.

New skipper coming in the place of Aboudi - Nchout Njoya Ajara - found herself in space inside the Kenyan box and after taking a turn, sliced a right foot shot that canoned off the crossbar with Kundu well beaten.

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A headed ball from returning striker Esse Akida moments later seemed to be the only chance Kenya could get their hands on to, but the ball sailed over Bihina’s goal, serving up a rather disappointing show in the second half, and in the entire fixture watched on by the legendary Samuel Etoo.

With the result, Kenya’s Starlets will now look at avenging the loss in the home return leg on Tuesday 26 September.

STARTING XI: Annedy Kundu, Juliet Andibo, Ruth Ingosi, Corazone Aquino, Vivian Nasaka, Sheryl Angachi, Cynthia Shilwatso, Wincate Kaari, Mwanalima Adam, Esse Akida, Tereza Engesha.

SUBSTITUTES: Caroline Rufa, Jentrix Shikangwa, Mercy Airo, Elizabeth Wambui, Lydia Akoth, Enez Mango, Phoebe Owiti.