Football

Harambee Starlets suffer elimination from 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers

Kenya's Harambee Starlets and Botswana in action at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (Photo: Harambee Starlets./Twitter)

By Sports Reporter | Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The pivotal moment came in the 64th minute when Keitumetse Dithebe capitalised on a defensive error by the Kenyan side, scoring the decisive goal that secured Botswana's qualification ticket to the continental games in Morocco for the second time.

Kenya Women's national football team Harambee Starlets were on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 eliminated from the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Botswana. The dreams of a return to the continental showpiece were dashed after a 2-1 aggregate loss in the final qualifier round held at the Gaborone National Stadium in Botswana.

Coached by Beldine Odemba, the Starlets aimed for a crucial away win to secure a comeback to the continental competition, a feat they haven't achieved since their debut in 2016. Unfortunately, their hopes were thwarted once again when Cynthia Shilwatso failed to convert a penalty eight minutes into the second half.

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🇧🇼 1-0 🇰🇪#GoStarlets pic.twitter.com/qIxNy333Zz

— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) December 5, 2023

This setback mirrored the first leg at Nyayo Stadium, where Violet Nanjala missed a penalty, leaving the match with a 1-1 draw and no advantageous lead for the second leg in Gaborone. The pivotal moment in Tuesday's match came in the 64th minute when Keitumetse Dithebe capitalised on a defensive error by the Kenyan side, scoring the decisive goal that secured Botswana's qualification ticket to the continental games in Morocco for the second time.

Dithebe, who had also scored in the 1-1 draw in Nairobi, celebrated alongside her captain, goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija, who had saved Violet Nanjala’s penalty in the away match and Shilwatso’s kick at home.

The disappointing outcome added Botswana to the list of teams, including South Africa, Ghana, and Algeria, who have already qualified for the upcoming tournament.