Haripriya deka

Sesa Football Academy: Kickstart FC earned only their second victory of the Indian Women’s League 2025-26, defeating Sesa Football Academy 3-1 at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, on Friday. Nigerian forward Emem Peace Essien (2’, 61’, 90+3’) netted a hat-trick to earn the victory for Kickstart, while Sesa FA captain Aniela Barretto (17’) scored one.

Though both teams remain in the relegation zone, Kickstart are just a point behind Gokulam Kerala at sixth, and have given themselves a good chance to avoid relegation in Phase 2 of the competition. Sesa, on the other hand, have just one point from their seven matches and are still searching for their first top-flight win.

Kickstart took control of the game early, when Ranjana Chanu’s cross from the left was spilt by Sesa goalkeeper Beatrice Nketia. Emem reacted fastest and scored into an empty net in the second minute.