Kenya Crash Out Of AWCON

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are out of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations following their 3-1 defeat to Mali at the Limbe Stadium on Wednesday.

Bassira Toure scored a brace after Sebe Coulibaly had broken the deadlock to hand Oumar Guindo’s side their first victory in Group B and amend for their 6-0 loss to Nigeria in their opener on Sunday.

Coulibaly sent a well-taken long-range free-kick from 25 yards out past the Kenyan goalkeeper Samantha Akinyi to give Mali the lead in the 37th minute.

Kenya came close to equalising through Cherise Avilia, but her effort was cleared off the line by Malian captain Aminata Sacko.

The Starlets had dominated proceedings in the opening minutes of the game when forward Esse Akida beat two defenders only for her shot to go inches off the mark.

Corazon Aquino attempted a long-range shot in the 27th minute but it went wide much to her frustration as Kenya continued to break down the sharp-looking Malian defence.

In the second half, Kenya coach David Ouma introduced Jacky Ogol for Carolyne Anyangobut four minutes in, Toure doubled Mali’s lead after she beat three defenders to slot past Akinyi.

Before the Starlets could launch a comeback, they were undone by a penalty awarded by Rwandan center referee Salma Mukansanga after defender Wendy Achieng brought down Toure in the penalty box.

Toure, the top scorer in the Malian league back home, stepped up to the spot and put the ball into the back of the net to hand Mali a deserved 3-0 lead.

Avilia’s lob in the 75th minute ensured Kenya pulled one back, but it was way too late for the Starlets to avoid an early exit from the continental tournament at their inaugural appearance.

Kenya, who are competing at this tournament for the very first time in the history of women’s football in the East African nation, will face Nigeria in their last Group B tie on November 26 in Limbe, reports supersport.com.