Tunisia coach hails five Kenyan Stars after hard-fought draw in Nairobi

IMAGE/ FTF

Tunisia coach hails five Kenyan Stars after hard-fought draw in Nairobi

Evans Ousuru 17:20 - 22.02.2025

Harambee Starlets dominated the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier clash.

Tunisia head coach, Kamel Saada had high praise for several Harambee Starlets players following their goalless draw.

Harambee Starlets hosted Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday at Ulinzi Complex Stadium, as both sides shared spoils in the drab draw.

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"Kenya is a good team, a powerful team. They have good players. Four players—number 14, number 9, number 17, and number 21—they are technical players. They are good, as well as player number 2," Saad said.

The players referenced include Elizabeth Wambui (14), Corazone Aquino (17), Cynthia Shilwatso (who wore number 9 that day), Fasila Adhiambo (21), and Mwanahalima Dogo (2).

The closely contested encounter saw both sides create chances but fail to break the deadlock, setting up a high-stakes return leg in Tunisia on February 26, 2025.

Starlets had promising moments in attack, carving out several goal-scoring opportunities but struggling to apply the finishing touch. With the tie still wide open, they will now shift focus to the away fixture, where the aggregate winner will advance to the final qualification round to face either Niger or Gambia.

Saada's lavish words for the quintet perhaps indicate the quality that the Kenyan team possesses. It might also indicate a strategy that Tunisia will watch out on the aforementioned in order to help nullify their influence in the return leg.

Harambee Starlets hope to return to the continental stage for the first time in nine after last featuring in the 2016 edition held in Cameroon.