Kenya's Junior Starlets continued their march towards the 2026 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup after comfortably dispatching Uganda 3-0 at the Nyayo Stadium Sunday afternoon.
After building on a 2-0 lead in last weekend’s first-leg clash in Kampala, the Starlets delivered a masterclass performance to seal a dominant 5-0 aggregate victory.
Patience Asiko opened the scoring in the fifth minute as Brenda Achieng’s 80th and 87th-minute brace cemented their spot in the next round in a display of determination and clinical precision.
The Starlets fielded an unchanged squad, confident in their ability to replicate their strong showing from the first encounter.
“This victory is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our team. The girls have shown that they are ready to compete at the highest level,” head coach coach Mildred Cheche said after the game.
“Every win brings us one step closer to realising our dream of representing Kenya in the World Cup for the second time. We are excited about the challenges ahead and the upcoming game against Cameroon will be crucial.”
Kenya now prepare to face Cameroon in the final round of the qualifiers. The Central Africans, who overcame Ethiopia in a 6-2 aggregate score, including a hard-fought 1-0 win at Abebe Bikila Stadium, will provide a stern test.
With the Starlets only requiring a draw—even a narrow 1-0 defeat would see them progress—every moment on the pitch counts. Their return to Nyayo Stadium was the first time the facility hosted a match after nearly three years of renovations, adding excitement for players and fans as the team chases another historic qualification.
Last year’s memorable campaign, orchestrated at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, set the stage for what many hope will be a repeat of success.
The crucial fixtures against Cameroon are slated for April 18 and April 25, 2025, marking the next high-stakes chapter in the Starlets’ quest for World Cup glory.
