Just three minutes later, Uganda nearly punished Kenya. Shadia Nabirye threaded a brilliant pass into the path of Immaculate Achen, sending her through on goal.
However, Junior Starlets captain Beverline Awuor produced a superb recovery run to dispossess the forward and avert the danger.
The Teen Cranes came agonisingly close again in the 76th minute.
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A dangerous free-kick caused problems for goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo, who spilt the ball back into play. Joan Namakula reacted quickest but could only fire her effort wide with the goal at her mercy.
The momentum quickly swung to the other end.
Kombo’s corner delivery picked out Beverline Awuor, whose powerful header crashed against the crossbar. The rebound fell kindly for the defender, but her follow-up effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Grace Kawino.
With qualification hanging in the balance, Kenya pushed forward during the closing stages, using both flanks in an attempt to break down Uganda’s resilient defense.
Despite a balanced and fiercely contested second half, neither side could find the breakthrough.
When the final whistle sounded, it was Kenya celebrating. Adhiambo’s crucial away goal from the first leg ultimately separated the two teams, sending the Junior Starlets into the third round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
