Harambee Starlets secured a slender victory over Uganda in a Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier in Machakos on Wednesday.

Lilian Adera scored the lone goal for Starlets in the 52nd minute from a Mwanahalima Adam cross.

The visitors created the first chance after six minutes but Hasifah Nassuna could only head wide from a deep delivery, before Starlets went up the other end with Essie Akida forcing a save from Aturo.

Uganda were however to miss a glut of other chances and Starlets were lucky to escape with a clean sheet in first stanza.

Kenya worked a good chance in the closing stages of the first-half as a free-kick was headed back into the area, where Mwanahalima attempted the spectacular but failed to get a proper connection on his bicycle and the keeper easily gathered the ball.

The second half began with Uganda looking more composed with Akiror and Nassuna trying their luck from range, but to no avail.

Starlets then upped the tempo as they went in search of an opener , Elizabetg Obongo whipping in a free-kick which was cleared by the Uganda defence before Cynthia Shiwatso’s through-ball failed to find a teammate minutes later.

However,Starlets efforts were rewarded on the 52nd minute with Adera completing the move when her shot oroved too much for Uganda keeper Ruth Aturo.

Kenya seemed to relax the goal and Zainah Namuleme nearly got an eaqualiser whe tried a shot at goal from an audacious angle which went out for a goal-kick, with the Stalets looking disjointed in attack and failing to threaten the Uganda shot-stopper.

Corazone Aquino coming as a subsitute then showed good strength in jostling with her marker at the byline before managing to put in a square ball into the box, yet once again no teammate was on hand to bury the ball home.

Uganda looked desperate in the closing stages, Shaida Nankya trying her luck from distance but failing to find the target, before a glorious chance fell to Shakira Mutibwa in stoppage time, yet she missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

Starlets held on until the final whistle to take the narrow 1-0 win.Both teams will meet for returnnleg match on Sunday at Startimes Stadium in Kampala with aggregate winner proceeding to the next stage the next stage of the qualifier.

Line-ups:

Harambee Starlets starting XI

Poline Atieno (GK), Wendy Achieng, Dorcas Sikobe, Carolyne Anyango, Elizabeth Ambogo, Cheris Avilia, Mwanahalima Adam, Lilian Adera, Neddy Atieno, Esse Akida, Cynthia Shilwatso

Substitutes

Maureen Shimuli (GK), Dorris Anyango, Pauline Musungu, Sheryll Angachi, Corazone Aquino, Mercy Achieng, Phoebe Owiti

Uganda Crested Cranes Starting XI

Ruth Aturo (GK), Viola Namuddu, Grace Aluka, Shadia Nankya, Yudaya Nakayenze, Tracy Akiror, Asia Nakibuuka, Shakira Mutibwa, Juliet Nalukenge, Hasifah Nassuna, Zainah Namuleme

Substitutes

Daisy Nakaziro, Christine Nambirige, Gladys Nakito, Spencer Nakachwa, Damali Matama, Winnie Babirye, Shamir’s Nalugya