Harambee Starlets on Tuesday turned knocked out Cameroon to qualify for the second and final round of the 2024 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers after edging the Indomitable Lionesses 4-3 in post-match shootouts of the return fixture staged at Nyayo National Stadium.
Cynthia Shilawatso scored the all-important goal for Starlets in the 78th minute to level the fixture after Cameroon’s first leg 1-0 advantage thanks to Eliane Mambalamo’s header last Friday at Stade De Reunification de Douala. The clash then went straight to the shootouts to decide the aggregate winner and Starlets stood tall to emerge the winners and proceed to the final round of qualification where they will meet either Gabon or Botswana on November 27 and December 5 this year.
The Indomitable Lionesses were the first to take penalties converting it, Starlet captain, Ruth Ingosi, stepped up to take Starlet’s first spot kick but had it saved. Starlets however got their composure back by netting the other preceding spot kicks with Sheryl Angachi taking the last decisive penalty to send the team into the second stage of the qualifiers. Starlets will now face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round of qualifiers.
The victor of the second round will secure an automatic qualification for the 2024 WAFCON tournament to be held in Morocco.
