Mike Sonko's gift to Rising Starlets

By Peter Ochieng

The Kenya National ladies under 20 football team, popularly known as the Rising Starlets arrived back in the country on Monday morning, from Angola for a FIFA U20 women's world cup qualifier match.

The side coached by Beldine Odemba beat Angola 4-0 on Saturday in the second leg, second round qualifier match.

Rising Starlets players and members of the technical bench arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at about 1am.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko was among those present at the airport to recieve the team.

"Early this morning around 1am at JKIA, welcoming our under 20 national ladies' soccer team the rising starlets back home from Angola, where they advanced to the 3rd round of the FIFA U20 women’s world cup qualifiers after beating Angola 10-1 aggregate (6-1 first round in Nairobi and 4-0 return match in Angola)," the former governor wrote on X.

And he did not go to recieve the team empty handed.

"Even though siku hizi nimesota sana (now days I am too broke), have given our girls a token of Sh200, 000 for making us proud. I wish them the best of luck in their next game against Cameroon," he added.

Valerie Nekesa set the tone for the match, aiding the team into the lead with a goal in the 6th minute.

Anna Arusi continued the momentum, extending the lead in the 36th-minute, ensuring a comfortable and deserved 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.

The second half saw Arusi get her brace extending the lead to 3-0.

In the dying moments of the game, Charity Midewa netted an additional goal in the 94th minute, solidifying the scoreline at 4-0.

Starting XI

Scovia Awuor, Faith Atieno, Mollyne Akinyi, Rebecca Kwoba, Jane Hato, Anna Arusi, Elizabeth Muteshi, Valerie Nekesa, Fasila Adhiambo, Emilly Okute, Rachael Adhiambo.

Substitutes Purity Awino, Elizabeth Mideva, Susan Akoth, Jerrine Adhiambo, Abskonoita Shihafu, Faith Naliaka, Charity Midewa.