The Ethiopian U-20 women national team have bow of the FIFA Women U-20 World Cup qualifier after falling down 4-3 on aggregate to neighbor’s Kenya. Kenya were in pole position to progress after forcing a two all draw fortnight ago in Hawassa. Kenya beat Ethiopia 2-1 on the return leg game on Saturday, September 30.
In a game played out Kenyatta Stadium, Macahakos, it was the homers who broke the deadlock early through Corazone Aquino. Aquino finished off a great ball after being set up by Martha Amunyolete who ran down the left flank losing her markers in the process 11 minutes following the onset. Ethiopia piled on the pressure to get the equalizer and waited until the stroke of half time to get it. Mirekat Feleke was brought down by Kenyan goalie Lilian Awuor as the Ugnadan referee awarded the visitors a penalty kick. Mirekat made not mistake as she successfully converted the resulting spot kick.
In the opening minutes of the second interval Kenya yet again took the lead as an own goal from Ethiopian goalkeeper Tigest Abera gave them the edge. Coach Tewdros Desta introduced striker Senaf Wakuma in search of goals but all the attempts Ethiopia made after trailing were futile. On the other end Kenya should have extended their lead if it was not for Tigest who parried away some goal attempts from the home side.
Kenya managed to progress on aggregate score of 4-3 as they look to set a date with either Ghana or Algeria in the second qualifying round. The Ethiopian Women U-20 national team journey ended rather early comparing them to their predecessors who were led by start striker Loza Abera reached the final qualifying round before Ghana trounced the team 6-2 on aggregate.
