Harambee Starlets suffer huge blow ahead of final WAFCON qualifier
25th November 2023
The women's national team face Botswana in the final round of qualifiers for WAFCON 2024.
- Starlets begin with the first leg at home on Wednesday 29 November.
- The second leg will take place in Botswana on Tuesday 5 December.
- The winner of the tie will be guaranteed a spot in the tournament to be held in 2024 in Morocco.
By Tony Kipkorir
The women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, has suffered a huge blow ahead of their final round of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification match against favorites Botswana following the withdrawal of talented striker Jentrix Shikangwa.
The China-based forward announced on social media that she will not be able to make the team fighting to secure a ticket to the 2024 WAFCON tournament set for Morocco after picking up an injury during the team’s training session.
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“I am very happy for the national duty call up with our able coach Beldine Odemba. I am humbled for another chance to represent my country for the WAFCON Qualifiers.
But due to a minor injury I got during training for our next matches, I won't be able to be part of the team as called up,” part of Shikangwa’s statement read.
The 21-year-old also thanked those who have supported her during this difficult time and wished the rest of the team the best of luck ahead of the double header.
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Starlets qualified for the final round after narrowly edging out West African nation Cameroon 4- 3 on penalties with the hotly contested match ending 1- 1 on aggregate.
Cynthia Shilwatso and dependable custodian Annedy Kundu were the stars of the match, with the former scoring the equalizer a few minutes before the end of regulation time.
On the other hand, Botswana thrashed Gabon 10 -1 on aggregate to book a date with Harambee Starlets.
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The first leg of the match is expected to be held on Wednesday, November 29 at the Nyayo National Stadium while the return leg is slated for Tuesday, December 5 in Botswana.
In Shikangwa’s absence, her former Vihiga Queens teammate Tereza Engesha and Violet Nanjala, who plays professional football in Morocco are the likely players to lead the line.
Should the Kenyan ladies dismantle the visitors, they will qualify for the 2024 WAFCON edition slated for Morocco.
The team will also receive a 5 million monetary token from the government following a promise made by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba.
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