Kenya women fall to Egypt in international friendly
Egypt’s Mansoul Salwa vies with Kenya’s Mural Auma during their friendly match in Machakos on March 01, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kenya, who are preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers, exhibited an underwhelming first half performance against the physical Egyptians, with Christine Nafula fluffing two chances in the ninth and 12th minute after being put clear by midfielder Lilian Awuor.
- The Starlets appeared fatigued towards the end of the first half and were saved by the cross bar when Nourhan sent a screamer homewards from outside the box in the 44th minute.
- The Kenyan side however came alive in the second half following the inclusion of striker Rebecca Akinyi who caused the Egyptian defense several anxious moments.
Kenya women’s football team on Sunday lost 1-0 to Egypt in a lively friendly international played at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Striker Mansour Sulwa scored the solitary goal of the match 16 minutes after kick off leaving the resilient Kenyan team chasing the game for the remaining time.
Kenya, who are preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers, exhibited an underwhelming first half performance against the physical Egyptians, with Christine Nafula fluffing two chances in the ninth and 12th minute after being put clear by midfielder Lilian Awuor.
At the quarter hour mark, the visitors’ striker Amr Nourhan sped clear down the left flank before dispatching the ball to the well positioned Sulwa who smashed it into the net.
The Starlets, urged forward by Rangers coach John Kamau, pressed hard in search of an equaliser and Awuor found herself in a good position to score but was dispossessed just outside the goal mouth.
The Starlets appeared fatigued towards the end of the first half and were saved by the cross bar when Nourhan sent a screamer homewards from outside the box in the 44th minute.
The Kenyan side however came alive in the second half following the inclusion of striker Rebecca Akinyi who caused the Egyptian defense several anxious moments.
Her combination with Mary Kinuthia brought forth many chances that Kenya could not finish off.
A dramatic moment in the 40th minute saw captain Cherise Avilia find the back of the net for Kenya through a free kick taken from outside the goal mouth, but the referee ruled the shot had been improperly taken ending a victory dance that was being performed by the Kenyan players.
“I am very proud of my girls because we trained only for three days and they were able to put through such a performance. We were just unlucky to concede that goal but if we had trained for a longer period of time we would have beaten our opponent,” said Kenya coach Doreen Nabwire.
Kenya will travel to Cairo for a return friendly match against Egypt set for March 28.
