The Uganda national women football team, the Crested Cranes, landed on hard times when they were thrashed 4-0 by hosts, the Kenya Harambee Starlets, in an international friendly at Moi Sports Stadium in Kisumu on Sunday.
Mary Kimuthia Wanjiku grabbed a brace for the Starlets before Wendy Achieng and Esse Akida completed the routing of the inexperienced 10-man Crested Cranes.
Uganda went one player down when first choice goalkeeper Fatumah Matovu was sent off after handling outside the penalty area in the first half, forcing coach Majidah Nantanda to sacrifice Joan Nakirya for second choice custodian Ruth Aturo.
Kimuthia, who had moments earlier given the Kenyan ladies the lead, completed her brace from the resultant free-kick.
This was the first senior international match for the Crested Cranes since January 2012 when they faced the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The other international involving their juniors, the U-20, was team played three years ago when the Ugandans trounced Fifa’s newest member, South Sudan, by 22 goals.
Sandra Nabweteme, who featured in that fixture against South Sudan, started against Kenya on Sunday, while only Christine Wanyana, Fatumah Matovu and upcoming Stella Kaliba were part of the senior Crested Cranes five years ago.