Spot-on Starlets shoot Cameroon out of WAFCON qualifiers

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.

Skipper Ruth Ingotsi was the only one in Starlets side to miss her spot kick with Violet Nanjala, Cynthia Shilwatso, Mwanahalima Adam and Shyril Angachi all being clinical.

Starlets’ tactician Beldine Odemba made three changes to the squad that featured in the first leg benching Wincate Kaari for Enez Mango Mudeizi, Juliet Auma for Vihiga Queens defender Phoebe Awiti and Cynthia Shilwatso for Jentrix Shikangwa.

Starlets settled well into the do-or-die clash and created a clear scoring chance in the third minute when Simba Queens midfielder Corazone Aquino’s shot was well cleared by Cameroon keeper Michaely Bihina.

In the seventh minute, Mwanahalima Adam who plies her trade in Turkey with Hakkarigucu Spor delivered a long shot but hit the post.

Starlets continued pushing infront of Indomitable Lionesses goal and in the 14th minute Cameroon keeper made a blunder of coming out from his box and Terry Engesha took the advantage and delivered a shot which went wide.

Cameroon first scoring chances arrived in the 21st minutes after Inter Milan forward Ajara Nchout shot on target but it was well cleared by Kenyan keeper Annedy Kundu.

Reading (England) center back Easther Mayi Kith was left one on one with keeper Kundi but her shot went wide.

In the second half, coach Odemba made changes as she replaced Paok (Greece) striker with Cynthia Shilwatso in the 57th minute, which seemed to work as Shilwatso delivered cross to Elizabeth Wambui in the 67 minutes who shot directly to Cameroon keeper but she well cleared the shot.

Corazone Aquino was replaced by Ulinzi Starlets midfielder Ketsia Ngaira  who controlled the midfield well. Violet Nanjala Wanyonyi also was introduced who spearheaded the striking force.

Maria Packuita Cynquela from Mauritius was the centre referee, with Windy Rhamboro (Mauritius) and Bernadettar Asimenye (Malawi) serving as first and second assistant referees, respectively.