Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko received the Rising Starlets squad on Monday morning for their heroics in Luanda.
The Rising Starlets managed to humble Angola by four goals to nil in the return leg of the Fifa u-20 World Cup qualifiers to advance to the third round.
Sonko received the girls at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with warm embraces and congratulatory messages.
He also awarded the team Sh200,000 as a token of appreciation for their exploits in Angola.
In the first leg played at the Nyayo National Stadium, Starlets beat Angola 6-1 with Valerie Nekesa emerging as the woman of the match after scoring a hat-trick.
Nekesa was yet again on the score sheets in the second leg scoring just six minutes into the match to give Rising Starlets the lead.
Charity Midewa added a goal and Anna Arusi hit a brace to seal off a dominant performance over Angola and secure a 10-1 aggregate heading into the third round.
Sonko expressed his joy after the performance of the Rising Starlets in the two matches
“As a Kenyan, I am happy at the performance the girls have given at the World Cup qualifier game against Angola. Our Rising Starlets have qualified for the third round where they will face Cameroon,” Sonko said.
He further went on to wish the girls all the best in the coming third-round match citing that the senior team had previously beaten them.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, the senior team beat Cameroon so that is enough to give them morale for their match because they are representing our nation. We wish them all the best,” he said.
Harambee Starlets beat Cameroon on September 26 courtesy of a penalty shootout where they advanced to the second stage of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) where they will take on Botswana.
Sonko also said that he will support the team in its endeavours as they play to bring the U-20 World Cup title home.
“I will support the girls and the government will also support them to ensure they bring the World Cup home," Sonko said.
"I call on the fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team when they face Cameroon so that they can progress to the next round and eventually reach the World cup."
