Mwanahalima Adam celebrating her second goal. Photo/FKF
MACHAKOS, Kenya, Aug 17 – Harambee Starlets warmed up for their Olympic Qualifier match against Malawi with a 3-2 victory over Ethiopia in a friendly match hosted at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Mwanahalima Adam was the star of the show, netting twice while assisting a late winner which now sets the Starlets in high spirits ahead of their Malawi match that will see them start away to Blantyre August 28.
Adam found the back of the net for the opener seven minutes after kick-off after outpacing the Ethiopian defense before slotting the ball over the onrushing keeper Balcha Tarikua.
Ware Birtukan then restored parity for the guests upon resumption, capitalizing on the Starlets’ slow reaction to a free-kick they had conceded.
Mwanahalima was at it again, however, slotting past the Ethiopian goalie off a lob from Starlets midfielder Corazone Aquino. The lead didn’t last long however, Serkadis Kidane tapping in from close range just moments later after Annette Kundu in the Kenyan goal had failed to hold onto a loose ball.
The Starlets never lost hope, however, and as the match seemed to be heading for a draw, forward Mwanahalima Adam was hacked down as she went for goal. Gentrix Shikangwa stepped up to slot in the resultant spot-kick that saw the Starlets take home the full share of spoils in stoppage time.
Focus now shifts to the upcoming Olympics Qualifier against Malawi, whose first leg is set to be played on August 28, 2019, in Blantyre. The second leg has been slated for September 4, 2019, in Nairobi.
