Starlets rout Ugandas Crested Cranes 4-0 in Cecafa opener

The Kenyan national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, thrashed Uganda’s Crested Cranes 4-0 in their first match at the CECAFA Women Championship played on Sunday in Jinja, Uganda.

Hotshot Esse Mbeyu Akida scored a brace with Vivian Atieno and Mary Kinuthia grabbing one each as Starlets won by a similar margin as they did two months ago in a friendly against the Crested Cranes.

Mary Kinuthia opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a fierce strike and six minutes later Akida missed the chance to double the lead before she atoned for her mistake three minutes into the second half for the second.

Head Coach David Ouma then brought on Vivian Corazon in place of Cheris Avilia and Christine Nafula for Team Manager Dorren Nabwire who was handed a starting role.

Corazon got her name on the scoresheet in the 75th minute to make it 3-0 as the AWCON-bound starlets threatened to run riot at the FUFA Technical Center.

With all the points all but guaranteed, the Starlets used the rest of the match to display their superiority, adding a late goal through Akida to round off a brilliant start to their campaign.

Starlets’ win sees them move to joint top of the group A with Burundi, who walloped minnows Zanzibar 10 – 1 in the tournament’s opener.

The Kenyans face Burundi in their second match on Tuesday, 13.

Starlets Starting XI: Vivian Akinyi,  Anne Aluoch (C), Wendy, Achieng,  Dorcas Shikobe, Irene Ogutu,  Caroline Anyango, Cheris Avilia, ( Corazin Aquino), Doreen Nabwire (Christine Nafula) , Mary Kinuthia, Neddy Atieno, Esse Akida.

Unusued Subs: Samantha Akinyi, Terry Ouko, Elizabeth Ambogo, Jackline Akoth and Mercy Achieng.