Harambee Starlets captain Mwanalima Adam Jereko became only the third Kenyan to feature in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after starting for HB Køge against Arsenal on Tuesday night.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsJereko lined up for the Danish side in their opening league-phase fixture at Meadow Park, where HB Køge pushed Arsenal all the way before suffering a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty.##NAJAVA_MECA_9978907##The 29-year-old Kenyan was named in HB Køge’s starting XI and played for 80 minutes before being substituted as the visitors continued to frustrate the two-time European champions.Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised HB Køge defense. The hosts thought they had taken the lead earlier in the match, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review for offside.With the game heading towards a draw, Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time after Selina Cerci was brought down inside the box. Mariona Caldentey converted from the spot to give the English side all three points.Kakamega Homeboyz youngster unruffled despite 3 separate national team snubsDespite the defeat, the match marked a significant milestone for Jereko, who became the third Kenyan to reach the main phase of the competition after Marjolen Nekesa, who featured for Slavia Prague in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage in 2023 and Esse Akida.Jereko's appearance came less than three weeks after HB Køge secured their place in the 18-team league phase by eliminating Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on aggregate. Køge had won the first leg 1-0 in the Netherlands before drawing 1-1 at home in the return leg.Anthony Akumu sets ambitious 2027 AFCON target after bitter 2019 snubThe Kenyan has been part of HB Køge's European campaign, with UEFA listing her in the club's squad for the competition. She also scored once in three appearances during the qualifying rounds.The Kenya international now has the opportunity to face more of Europe's leading clubs during the league phase. HB Køge's remaining opponents include Barcelona, Benfica, Paris FC, Servette and OH Leuven, with Barcelona next on the schedule on Thursday, 29 October.For Jereko, Tuesday's appearance adds another milestone to an international career in which she captains Kenya's senior women's national football team and has now taken her place on one of European women's club football's biggest stages.Why Patrick Matasi believes he deserves second chance with Harambee Stars
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