Harambee Starlets End Pink Ladies Cup with Win Over Philippines

Posted by By Omondi Oduor 3 months Ago Harambee Starlets

The Harambee Starlets closed their journey in the Pink Ladies Tournament with a 4-1 victory over the Philippines. This final match played at Emirhan Stadium on October 30, gave the Kenyan women’s team their first tournament victory and marked a satisfying end to their efforts against challenging international opponents.

Kenya set the pace from the onset, striking early through Elizabeth Wambui in the eighth minute. Receiving a sharp pass from Fasila Adhiambo, Wambui fired the ball into the net, giving the Starlets a quick lead and an early boost in confidence.

Wambui, who plays professionally for Simba Queens in Tanzania, didn’t just open the scoring but continued to impose herself on the game with the kind of tenacity and skill that caught the Philippine defence off guard. Just before halftime, in another brilliant moment, Wambui delivered a powerful cross that forced Philippine captain Hali Long into a hurried clearance. Misjudging her footing under pressure, Long inadvertently sent the ball into her net, giving Kenya a 2-0 lead as they entered the break.

Despite being two goals down, the Philippines showed grit as they came out for the second half with renewed energy, making a couple of crucial substitutions that helped to reinvigorate their attack. Kenya also adjusted, with Purity Alukwe replacing Rebecca Okwaro at the restart.

This shift pushed Elizabeth Mideva into a central forward position, adding a new dynamic to Kenya’s offence. Still, the Philippines pressed on, looking for a breakthrough, and eventually found it in the 67th minute. Sarina Bolden converted a penalty, narrowing the scoreline to 2-1 and reigniting hope for her side.

Kenya Stamps Authority

However, Kenya had no intention of letting the momentum slip away. Within minutes of Bolden’s goal, Alukwe, who had been subbed on at the restart, made her mark. She unleashed a powerful strike from roughly 25 yards out, catching Philippine goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel off guard and restoring Kenya’s two-goal advantage.

Alukwe’s goal was a statement and a demonstration of Kenya’s refusal to settle, underscoring the team’s determination to finish the tournament on a high note.

As the minutes ticked down, the Philippines mounted a final push and, at one point, appeared to have scored again through Bolden, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside call.

elizabeth wambui harambee starlets
Harambee Starlets midfielder Elizabeth Wambui in action during their final match of the Pink Ladies Cup against Philippines

Kenya remained vigilant, and the resilient defence and quick transitions frustrated the Philippine side, preventing any further inroads. When it seemed Kenya had done enough to secure the victory, Fasila Adhiambo added one final flourish. In the 81st minute, she made a lively run down the wing, outmanoeuvring her marker, Angela Beard, before firing from a challenging angle to score Kenya’s fourth and final goal.

This solo effort sealed the win and underscored Adhiambo’s skill, adding a deserved reward for her consistent performance throughout the match.

Starlets Shrug Off Russia Defeat

Kenya’s commanding victory was partly a testament to the tactical planning of head coach Beldine Odemba, who had maintained faith in her squad despite their previous setbacks. Following a tough 4-0 defeat to Russia, Odemba opted to keep the core lineup intact, and her players responded with a disciplined, unified performance.

Their control over possession, quick passes and fluid movement in the final third allowed Kenya to dictate the game, especially in the first half. Ruth Ingosi’s presence in midfield was pivotal; her control and vision helped Kenya retain possession under pressure and launch attacks with purpose. Ingosi set the tone early, winning back the ball and orchestrating Kenya’s forward play, creating openings that kept the Philippines on the back foot.

Wambui Named POTM

Kenya’s Elizabeth Wambui was named the Player Of The Match after her impressive performance throughout the game, which included scoring a goal and being involved in the other.

“We had a nice tournament, and we’ve learnt a lot, being that we faced opponents who are higher ranked than us. I urge the team to be involved in more such games, as this will help us learn more. It feels great to be named the player of the match, and I’ll keep on working hard to replicate the same in the other matches,” said Elizabeth Wambui.

The Pink Ladies Tournament was a meaningful opportunity for Kenya’s national women’s team to face high-level opponents like Russia, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines, which are ranked 27th, 41st, and 39th globally, respectively. This exposure against well-prepared and highly ranked teams offered the Starlets invaluable international experience, testing them against various playing styles that will serve them well in future competitions.

Kenya had a challenging start, narrowly losing to Chinese Taipei 1-0 in their opening match. This was followed by a more difficult 4-0 defeat at the hands of Russia. However, they showed resilience in the final game, culminating in an emphatic win over the Philippines.

Starlets Friendlies

This tournament also marked the first time in over two years that the Harambee Starlets participated in an international friendly competition, making their return all the more significant. After a prolonged absence, the team stepped back onto the global stage. Despite the initial setbacks, the Starlets’ performance was an encouraging sign of growth and potential.

As the Harambee Starlets prepare to return home, they bring the invaluable lessons and experiences gathered from competing in this tournament. The victory over the Philippines is more than just a game won; it is a milestone, a glimpse of what Kenya’s women’s team can achieve with the proper support and international exposure.

The individual brilliance of players like Elizabeth Wambui, Fasila Adhiambo, and Ruth Ingosi reflects the depth of talent within the team. At the same time, the cohesive and spirited display speaks to a collective determination that bodes well for future competitions.

While the Pink Ladies Tournament has drawn to a close, the journey for the Harambee Starlets continues. They’ll be hoping for more top-level friendly matches during the next FIFA International break to prepare for next year’s CAF and FIFA Competitions.