Kenya’s Junior Starlets saw their hopes of a second consecutive World Cup appearance dashed following a 3-1 defeat to Cameroon in the second leg of the final qualification round on Friday night in Yaoundé.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Nairobi just five days earlier, the Starlets faced an uphill battle. Despite a bright start, it was the Baby Lionesses who struck first, with Beatrice Avana’s seventh-minute shot slipping through goalkeeper Velma Nabwire’s hands and into the bottom corner.
Coach Mildred Cheche’s side responded with attacking intent. Joan Ogola squandered two golden opportunities to level, first firing weakly after a goalkeeper error, then shooting wide just before halftime.
The equaliser came in the 51st minute when Elizabeth Ochaka calmly converted from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. However, parity lasted only six minutes as Tazanou Ange volleyed home Avana’s cross to restore Cameroon’s lead.
The goal deflated Kenya’s momentum, and Tiwa Melong’—the scorer in the first leg—sealed the Starlets’ fate with a penalty in the closing stages.
