Brenda Achieng starred as she came on from the bench to score a brace as Junior Starlets sailed through to the last stage of the World Cup Qualifiers on a Sunday afternoon at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Junior Starlets advance to the third and last round of the qualifiers and will be hopeful to make a back to back appearance at the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup to be staged in Morocco.
The Mildred Cheche-coached youngsters put on a spectacular show against Uganda at the Nyayo National Stadium to pick a 3-0 win, finishing the round on 5-0 aggregate.
Courtesy the home atmosphere, it took the youngsters only four minutes to show dominance as Asiko opened the scoring, maintaining her stance as she chased the ball down the box with two defenders on eavh of her side. As the goalkeeper narrowed down on her, she released a low shot, slotting it to the far left.
Cheche’s charges maintained the tempo, and barely five minutes later their efforts nearly paid off as Asiko found herself in a scoring position but slow decision making allowed the Ugandan defense to rein her in to keep the score line 1-0.
Uganda’s best chance came through Agnes Nabukenya whose efforts went over the bar as the Starlets’ backline did a good job putting stops to the noisy neighbours attacks, including a first half additional time free kick that the home side picked dangerously close to the box.
Starlets kept the fight in the second half, making excellent runs, missing numerous chances, including a sitter at the hour mark to keep the score at 1-0.
The match looked headed for such an end but second half substitute Achieng had other plans as she scored in the 56th and in stoppage time for the commanding victory.
Credit to Joy Angela Valencia for providing a spectacular assist, receiving the ball on the edge of the box, dribbling past two defenders to find the unmarked Achieng for 2-0.
For the third, Achieng took matters in her hands, going past two defenders, picking herself from a near fall to chase down the ball and slot it home.
“Winning away in the first leg gave us confidence, and today we secured another three points. The teamwork on display was crucial for such a performance. We are elated,” coach Cheche said.
Junior Starlets are set to play Cameroon in the final qualifiers round and the winner of the tie will sail through. Four teams will qualify from this tournament for the extravaganza in Morocco as the CAF representatives alongside the hosts.
