The Kenya U20 women’s side, Rising Starlets, were given a tough schooling by their Ugandan U20 counterparts as they lost their second round FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match 7-2 in the first leg match played at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.After getting a bye to the second round, the Charles Okere led side were looking to get off to the perfect start on familiar homeground.The visiting opponents however came bearing other ideas as six goals all scored in the first half ensured that Kengmya could not afford to mount any comeback after a poor 45 minutes.Donning white tops and black shorts, the young Ugandans did not shy to make their intention known in the match. Just in the second minute of the game, Juliet Nakulenge gave the visitors the lead after Kenyan goalkeeper Ursula Nasimiyu failed to deal with a floated cross into the area, Nakulenge connecting well with a header to hand her side the lead.While Uganda were busy making inroads in the match, the Rising Starlets were all over the place looking far from a side that knew what they were supposed to do. Three minutes past the quarter hour mark, Margaret Kunihira doubled Uganda’s lead with a smart dink over Nasimiyu in the Kenyan goal. Two goals in a space of five minutes from Fauzia Najjemba and a converted penalty from Shamirah Nalugya ensured Kenya had a four goal deficit by the half hour mark.Uganda’s tactical awareness, sure movement and pinpoint passing ensured that the game quickly moved from being a contest to a thrashing as the onslaught continued. Six minutes to the first half break, Nakulenge bagged her brace after beating the keeper again from close range.In the first minute of first half added time, an exquisitely taken free kick from left back Sumaya Komuntale just outside the box ensured Uganda’s steaming press went into the break with a comfortable 6-0 lead with Kenya having had no chances to threaten all through the half.Upon second half’s resumption, Uganda still dominated on the possession front but a slight improvement in defense saw Kenya reduce their threat in front of goal.A rare foray in the Uganda box saw Kenya get some consolation in the match after Shalyene Opisa scored from a close range tap in effort.That goal pushed some momentum in Kenya’s sails as they took the game to Uganda’s doorstep. With ten minutes left on the clock, substitute Charity Midewa,arguably with the pick of the bunch, managed to score a second goal for Kenya as she unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the area after neat footwork to evade her markers, Daphine Nyayenga in the Uganda with ni chance whatsover to keep out the attempt.Kenya’s resuscitated attempts were hit with a further blow late on as Komuntale scored her second in the match with only one minute left on the clock, the left back feeding on a poorly cleared corner before rifling into the bottom corner for Uganda’s seventh.That goal proved to be the final act as Uganda walked out comfortable 7-2 winners on away territory.The result left Kenya with a mountain load to climb heading into the second leg to be played on Friday 8 October in Kampala, Uganda.At the next phase (third round), the winner between Uganda and Kenya will face either South Africa or Mozambique.
