Cameroon national U20 girls’ football team on Friday eliminated Kenya from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Cameroon’s captain Naomi Leslie scored a hat trick to inspire he team to a 3-2 win at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi to make it 6-2 in aggregate
Kenya headed into the match carrying a 3-0 deficit from their defeat in Yaoundé, a result they were targeting to overturn for a chance to sail through to the final round of the qualifiers.
Despite playing in front of their home fans, the Rising Starlets, as they are commonly referred, to could not match up to Cameroon’s tempo.
During the opening half, the Rising Starlets showcased impressive teamwork, but Cameroon’s captain Leslie gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, a tactical substitution saw Charity Midewa replace Judith Nandwa.
This move quickly paid off as Midewa made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer for Kenya with her first touch in the 45th minute.
However, Cameroon’s Naomi Leslie scored two goals in quick succession in the 60th and 62nd minutes, thwarting any hopes of a Kenyan comeback.
Despite Midewa securing a brace with her second goal for Kenya in the 77th minute, the team ultimately lost 3-2.
Cameroon will now face Egypt or Congo in the final round of the qualifiers.
