Starlets Vivian Corazon tackles Egypt Mervat Farouk.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya October 28 – Harambee Starlets humbled visitors Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly match played at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium on Friday.
Vivian Corazone scored the winner in the first half to hand her side the lead against the Egyptians who settled for a goalless draw with FKF Premier League side Thika Queens on Wednesday in a build-up match.
The win saw Starlets bounce back from a 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCN) hosts Cameroon in last week’s friendly at the same venue.
Both teams were using the match as part of their preparations ahead of the Cup of Nations to be hosted in Cameroon.
In a first half dominated by Starlets, the David Ouma team broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Corazone half volley found the back of the net after Mary Kinuthia fed her.
Starlets continued with their high momentum piling pressure when the second half resumed, though saw them get a corner but it was cleared.
Starlets’ defense lapse almost cost them when Egypt pinned them in their half but Samatha Akinyi was alert to thwart the danger away before Elizabeth Agogo got booked.
A good display from Starlets midfield saw superstar Essie Akida hit the side net as Ouma made his first change of the game, pulling out Kinuthia for Sharon Bushenei.
Cherish Avilia and Anne Aluoch later combined well but Aluoch’s feeble shot was well collected by the Egypt keeper.
Starlets will now depart for Cameroon; the host nation of Cup of Nations where they will play the return leg friendly as they acclimatize for the continental showdown that kicks-off November 19.
