Harambee Starlets duo shine in UEFA Women's Champions League

©Esse Akida (Twitter)

FOOTBALL: Harambee Starlets duo shine in UEFA Women's Champions League

Festus Chuma 11:30 - 07.09.2023

Kenyan internationals Cynthia Shilwatso and Essie Akinda played in UEFA Women's Champions League matches, with mixed results, before their WAFCON clash.

Two Kenyan internationals, Cynthia Shilwatso and Essie Akinda, featured for their respective teams in the UEFA Women's Champions League matches on Wednesday night.

Shilwatso, a former Vihiga Queens striker, played the full 90 minutes for her team, FC Kryvbas Women, in a match against Paris FC at the Linköping Arena Football Stadium. 

Paris emerged victorious with a resounding 4-0 win, but Shilwatso's spirited effort could not be denied. France international Julie Dufour secured a remarkable hat trick for the Blues as she began her onslaught by opening the scoring in the 25th minute, giving Paris FC a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Dufour then continued her rampage with two quick goals in the 52nd and 56th minute, leaving Kryvbas Women reeling. The final blow was struck by Kaja Korsec in the 72nd minute, firmly sealing the victory for Paris.

In the dying minutes of the match, Shilwatso had two opportunities to change the course of the game for her side, but alas, the elusive goal remained just out of reach.

Across the continent in Austria, another Kenyan talent, Essie Akinda, played for 52 minutes for Football Club PAOK Thessaloniki.

The match turned into a goal-fest as PAOK demolished Racing FC Union Luxembourg 6-1. PAOK asserted their dominance early, with Swedish international Emelie Helmvall opening the scoring in the seventh minute.

Helmvall continued to dazzle with three more goals in the 21st, 31st, and 41st minute. Luxembourg's Marta Garcia managed to score one for her team in the 69th minute, but PAOK responded swiftly, netting two more goals in the 70th minute and injury time, thanks to Thomai Vardali and Antigoni Papadopoulou.

Notably, Papadopoulou replaced Essie Akinda during the game, highlighting the depth of talent within the PAOK squad.

Cynthia Shilwatso and Essie Akinda are crucial members of the Harambee Starlets team, gearing up for the highly-anticipated 2024 Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash against Cameroon. 

The first leg is scheduled for Friday, September 22, 2023, in Cameroon, with the return leg taking place at home on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

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