Harambee Starlets braved a tough battle from Ethiopia to win 3-2 and qualify for the 2016 Cecafa final on Sunday.
Losa Abera fired Ethiopia to the lead in the 37th minute seeing the score-line at 1-0 at half-time before things changed in the second half. Ethiopia had dominated the entire first-half proceedings with a few Kenyan sparks in between featuring Neddy Atieno, Mary Kinuthia, Esse Akida and Doreen Nabwire. reports.
The situation prompted coach David Ouma to make two substitutions before the end of the first half, bringing in Vivian Corazone in the 40th minute and Ambogo Elizabeth in the 44th minute.
Ambogo replaced Cheris Avilia while Corazone was introduced in place of Doreen Nabwire but the substitutions never changed the matter until the teams went to the breather. Kenya came from the tunnel an energized side and Neddy Atieno confirmed their intention in the 52nd minute with a beauty to level matters.
Atieno (Neddy) warmed up again seven minutes later in a co-ordination with Akida and Ambogo for a brace on the 64th minute when she made no mistake to connect Akida’s pass into Ethiopia’s net. Carolyne Anyango rose to the occasion ten minutes later to put Starlets ahead by 3-1.
The battle continued and Ethiopia’s Abera grabbed her brace in the 82nd minute to make it 3-2 but Kenya hung on to their lead to the final whistle to book a slot in the tournament’s finals where the winner between hosts Uganda and Tanzania will join.
Harambee Starlets: 18. Vivian Akinyi (GK), 8. Ann Aluoch, 15. Asol Wendy-Ann Achieng, 3. Ogutu Irene Awuor, 5. Nixon Dorcas Shikobe, 10. Omondi Carolyne Anyango, 14. Mbeyu Esse Akida, 7. Salano Cheris Avilia, 9. Okoth Nedy Atieno, 23. Omondi Doreen Nabwire, 4. Kinuthia Mary Wanjiku.
Subs: 1. Samantha Akinyi, 12. Teresa Ouko Calleb, 21. Jumah Jackline Akoth, 11. Ogol Jacky, 16. Onyango Mercy Achieng, 6. Christine Nafula, 19. Ambogo Elizabeth Mwikali, 17. Odhiambo Vivian Corazone, 30 Onyango Lilian Awuor.
-Yahoo