Twiga Stars sail through

Twiga Stars striker Asha Rashidi (centre) and Bezihan Endale Alemar of Ethiopia go down as Esther Chabruma prepares to take the ball when the teams met yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

Twiga Stars qualified to play Eritrea in the next stage of the women African Nations Cup qualifiers after eliminating Ethiopia on a 4-1 aggregate yesterday.

Hosts Twiga Stars came from behind to draw 1-1 with the visitors in the return leg match played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Stars had earlier hit Ethiopia 3-0 in the first leg match in Addis Ababa, two weeks ago.

Asha Rashidi equalised for the home side in the 80th minute when her free kick went untouched into the net. Ethiopians scored first in the 73rd minute through Birtuka Gebrekirton.

The equalised goal created chaos which resulted to the suspension a reserve player, Bekktawit Girma and the Ethiopian coach, Meseret Manni, who had entered into the pitch to harass referee Martha Nyekanyeka of Malawi protesting against the goal. Stars coach Boniface Mkwasa said after the match that his team played well according to his instructions.

Stars Line up

Twiga Stars: Fatuma Omary, Sophia Mwasikii, Fatuma Khatibu, Pulkeria Charaji, Helen Peter, Mwanahidi Abdallah, Mwanahamisi Omary, Fatuma Bashiri, Asha, Rashid, Esther Chabruma, Atoe Mlenzi.