Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwedwa says the lack of key players contributed to Harambee Starlets huge loss to Ghana on Sunday.
The national women under-20 football team was beaten 5-0 in the first leg of the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifier played at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.
The defeat now leaves the Musa Otieno guided girls with a huge task ahead of the second leg. They will have to score six unanswered goals in order to progress to the next round.
“Ghana are a very experienced side ,they have been going to the World Cup many times ,they are not an easy opponent for any side .Our team gave their best but unfortunately we lost, we know we have an uphill task in the second leg but we are determined to give our all, Mwendwa said .
With the return leg scheduled for November 18 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, the team will be hoping to put up a good show as they seek to advance to the third round.
“We missed six key players who were sitting for their exams, if they were there that could have made a difference but the important thing is to keep working hard and improve on our qualities,” Mwedwa added.
The team which is expected in the country on November 7, reached the second round by defeating Ethiopia 4-3 on aggregate after playing to a 2-2 draw away in the opening leg before winning 2-1 at home, to set up a date with Ghana in the first round.
Mwedwa also confirmed Harambee Stars will not be playing any friendly match during this international friendly week .It comes after the planned friendly against Zambia that was scheduled to be played on November 14 was called off citing the Chipolopolo’s inability to fly to Kenya in time for the build-up match