Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has awarded Kenya’s Harambee Starlets Sh250,000 after the girls stunned Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses 4-3 on post-match penalties on Tuesday.
The Starlets who hosted the Indomitable Lionesses at Nyayo Stadium qualified for the second round of qualification towards the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Sonko donated the cash when he joined the Starlets in WAFCON qualifiers post-match celebrations.
The ex-governor congratulated the team for their victory, awarded them the cash and promised the players his support going forward after they booked a second-round date with Botswana.
“I want to assure you of my support now and going forward as you chase the crown for our country. I believe in your ability to deliver victory home,” Sonko said when he spoke to the players.
The former governor had earlier on Tuesday joined the rest of the Kenyan fans during the entire tense match which was attended by thousands of football fans at Nyayo National Stadium.
“I’m very elated with the Harambee Starlets victory against Cameroon which took part in the last World Cup. I’m ready to support the team going forward with more incentives,” Sonko said while celebrating with the team after the match.
The former Nairobi Governor who’s known for his philanthropic contributions has further promised to reward the team if they beat their next opponents and qualify for the female edition of the Africa Cup.
In 2019 Sonko promised to reward Harambee Stars Sh20 million if they won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019.
Tuesday’s game was forced into penalties after Starlets won Tuesday evening’s return tie 1-0, with Cynthia Shilwatso coming off the bench to score the winner, to take the aggregate score to 1-1.
On penalties, Starlets didn’t have the best of starts as skipper Ruth Ingotsi, arguably the woman of the match from the duel saw her penalty saved after Naomi Ndjoah had scored the first for the Central Africans.
But, her blushes were wiped by keeper Annedy Kundu who swung to her left to pluck off Charlene Meyong’s kick before Violet Nanjala scored to tie the score at 1-1.
Shilwatso then scored a beauty, sending the ball into the roof of the net just after Cameroon’s Toko Ndjoya had scored, the score now at 2-2. BY THE STAR