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Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are counting losses after missing out on big money following their failure to qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations
Harambee Starlets’ failure to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) came at a heavy cost as they missed out on over Ksh15 million.
Crestfallen Starlets players returned to the country on Wednesday night after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Botswana in the final round of qualifiers but things might have been different had they taken their chances.
Kenya were awarded two penalties, one in the first leg and another in the return match, but missed both and it proved costly as Botswana took full advantage to seal a place at the 2024 WAFCON for a second straight edition.
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18:24 - 05.12.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Starlets pay the penalty as Botswana punish their wastefulness to qualify for Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Harambee Starlets came to rue their missed penalties as they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Botswana and miss out on a place at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Starlets came from behind to draw 1-1 with Botswana in the first leg in Nairobi last week with Marjolene Nekesa scoring the equaliser via the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime and they had a chance to win it from 12 yards again but Violet Nanjala missed a last-minute spot-kick.
Lady luck smiled their way again when they received a penalty in the early proceedings of the second half in the return leg in Gaborone on Tuesday but Cynthia Siltwatso’s tame effort was easily saved by the Botswana goalkeeper before Keitumetse Ditsebe scored the only goal as the hosts claimed a 1-0 win.
As the inquest continues on what happened to Kenya’s chances, especially after knocking out much fancied Cameroon in the previous round, Starlets are counting losses as they would have banked $100,000 (Ksh15,330,000) had they qualified for their second WAFCON since their maiden appearance in 2016.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been striving to improve the pay of women’s footballers and as per the updated prize money for the 2024 tournament, the last three sides from the 12-team tournament will walk away with $100,000 (Ksh15,330,000) while the ninth best side pocket $150,000 (Ksh22,995,000).
Teams that advance to the quarter-final will each receive $175,000 (Ksh26,827,500) while semi-finalists take home $225,000 (Ksh34,492,500) a piece. Winners of the tournament will rake in $500,000 (Ksh76,650,000) while the runners-ups pocket $300,000 (Ksh45,990,000).
Besides the prize money from CAF, Starlets also missed out on an extra Ksh10 million from the government, having been promised Ksh5 million for each win in the two-legged match by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba which would have taken the total to over Ksh25 million.
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07:00 - 05.12.2023
FOOTBALL Five things Harambee Starlets must do to seal WAFCON ticket
Harambee Starlets seek WAFCON victory in rematch against Botswana with a focus on key strategies for success
As Kenya lick their wounds, hosts Morocco, finalists last year, defending champions South Africa, 11-time champions Nigeria, their conquerors Botswana, neighbours Tanzania, Zambia, Senegal, Tunisia, Mali, Ghana, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are celebrating after clinching a place at next year’s tournament.
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