Costly Own Goal Shatters Harambee Starlets CECAFA Title Dreams in Final Against Tanzania

Harambee Starlets are on a fine run at the CECAFA Women's Championship.

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Harambee Starlets are on a fine run at the CECAFA Women's Championship.

Costly Own Goal Shatters Harambee Starlets CECAFA Title Dreams in Final Against Tanzania

Abigael Wafula 20:30 - 21.06.2025

A narrow loss in the final saw Harambee Starlets miss out on the CECAFA title in dramatic fashion.

Harambee Starlets failed to live up to the billing, losing 1-0 to Tanzania’s Twiga Stars in the final match of the 2025 CECAFA Women’s Senior Championship at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Harambee Starlets had been unbeaten throughout the whole campaign but were tamed by Tanzania, playing on home soil.

Harambee Starlets vs Tanzania: First Half

Harambee Starlets vs Tanzania
Image source: Harambee Starlets

The match started with both teams aware of what was at stake. Tanzania almost got away with a goal in the fourth minute, but Harambee Starlets had sharpened their defence going into the match and denied them the early lead.

Tanzania controlled the game for the better part of the first half, but Harambee Starlets were keen on their defence.

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The Tanzanian team created a series of chances but did not take advantage of that, hence missing out on scoring even when every condition favoured them. Lillian Awuor also made some impressive saves.

Harambee Starlets vs Tanzania: Second Half

Harambee Starlets vs Tanzania
Image source: Harambee Starlets

Coming back for the second and most crucial part of the game, Harambee Starlets and Twiga Stars were both looking good, taking turns in controlling the game.

However, in the 48th minute, a long strike from Tanzania’s Clara Luvanga led to a disastrous moment for Kenya, as Enez Mango misjudged the ball and inadvertently turned it into her own net.

The 20-year-old player, who also plays as a striker for Al-Nassr, also tried doubling the lead shortly after her first success, but Harambee Starlets could not let the same mistake happen again.

Harambee Starlets created a few chances in the second half, but they did not give their all. Tanzania capitalised on that and gave Harambee Starlets a run for their money on the pitch.

In the 75th minute, Beldine Odemba saw it fit to substitute Tumaini Nafula with Edith Kemunto, in the hunt for a win. Lillian Awuor made important saves as the match intensified.

In the 84th minute, Beldine Odemba made another substitution, with Medina Abubakar coming in to replace Diana Wacera. However, that was not enough to save the Kenyan ladies as the game ended without much progress having been made.

Harambee Starlets and Twiga Stars Campaigns

Harambee Starlets
Harambee Starlets vs Uganda during the CECAFA Championships.

Harambee Starlets started their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Burundi on Sunday, June 15, before silencing Uganda, the Crested Cranes, 4-0 on Tuesday, June 17.

The Kenyan ladies continued their hot streak with a dominant display over South Sudan, taking the victory after scoring four decisive goals on Thursday, June 19.

On their part, Tanzania started their campaign with a 4-0 win over South Sudan before silencing Burundi 6-0 in their second match. They continued the winning streak to stun Uganda 2-0.