Harambee Starlets, the Kenyan senior women’s soccer national squad, are through to the next round of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers despite being held to a goalless draw by Uganda in Kampala on Sunday.

Kenya are through on aggregate after winning 1-0 in the first leg at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday.

Having won the first leg Starlets needed at least a draw of any kind to progress to the penultimate round and indeed they did do better by collecting maximum points.

The goalless draw eliminated Uganda from the qualification series for Ghana 2018, while Kenya moved ahead to face the Africa women’s football giants Equatorial Guinea in the second and final round of the series.

Harambee Starlets Cynthia Musungu clearing ball out of danger (Photo:SK13Media/Ronnie Lusulire)

Both sides started brightly trying to get an early goal so as to settle down, but none came their way.

It was Kenya who got closest to a goal with a strike by Mwanahalima Adamin the 21st minute, she managed to beat the keeper but was denied by the crossbar.

There were no real chances carved in the first half and at the break it was still goalless.

Shortly after the break both sides made a substitutions,Starlets coach David Ouma made several changes as well as her Uganda counterpart in order to bringing much needed tempo in the game.

Kenyas Carazone Aquino battling for the ball with Ugandan defender (Photo: Sk13 Media/Ronnie Lusulire)

In the 72nd minute Corazone Aquino was free on goal after she beat her marker for pace but she shot straight into the arms of Ruth Aturo in the Uganda goal, with the rebound cleared away from danger.

Kenya had another great chance five minutes later when Nedy Atieno received a pass in the box, and her beautiful lob was parried away for a corner by the keeper.

The teams:

Harambee Starlets XI
Poline Atieno (GK), Wendy Achieng, Dorcas Sikobe, Carolyne Anyango, Sheril Angachi Elizabeth Ambogo, Mwanahalima Adam, Lilian Adera, Neddy Atieno, Mercy Achieng, Corazone Aquino

Substitutes
Maureen Shimuli (GK), Dorris Anyango, Pauline Musungu, Sheryll Angachi, Cheris Salano,Caroline Kiget, Phoebe Owiti

Uganda Crested Cranes XI

Ruth Aturo (GK), Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, Shakilah Mutibwa, Asia Nakibuuka, Tracy Jones Akiror, Juliet Nalukenge, Hasifa Nasuuna (Captain), Zaina Namuleme

Subs

Daisy Nakaziro, Gladys Nakito, Winnie Babirye, Joyce Nakakoza, Spencer Nakacwa, Damali Matama, Phiona Nabbumba