Rampant Junior Starlets crush South Sudan to clinch CECAFA bronze

Determined to finish their campaign on a high note, the Junior Starlets started brightly and quickly imposed themselves on the contest. 

Their positive approach paid off after just six minutes when Achieng opened the scoring, calmly converting to hand Kenya an early advantage.

South Sudan attempted to respond and nearly restored parity in the 12th minute.

Hellen Luka picked out Akon Akot with a well-weighted pass, but the forward’s effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Kenya continued to threaten, with Emily Adhiambo forcing goalkeeper Viola Doki into a comfortable save after a neat combination with Achieng. 

Sudan also created opportunities, with Amek Deng heading inches wide from a Sarah Jaffar delivery midway through the first half.

As the game progressed, Kenya’s attacking pressure intensified.

Achieng was denied a second goal when Leila Ibot intervened to block her goal-bound volley, while Brenda Awour also tested Doki with a powerful effort. 

South Sudan came close through Nyehok Chatim, whose fierce strike was brilliantly handled by goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo.

Kenya doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime through Elizabeth Opiyo, giving the Junior Starlets a commanding 2-0 advantage heading into the break.

The second half belonged entirely to Kenya. Achieng completed her brace shortly before the hour mark after being set up by Opiyo, before adding a third four minutes later with a stunning long-range strike to complete her hat-trick.

The forward continued her scoring spree, netting her fourth goal in the 74th minute before Faith Boke added a sixth with nine minutes remaining. 

Achieng then put the icing on the cake six minutes later, finishing off a move created by Boke to complete her five-goal haul and seal a resounding 7-0 victory.

The triumph ensured Kenya finished third and secured bronze medals, while South Sudan concluded their campaign in fourth place.