Kenya’s Rising Starlets took a significant step toward qualifying for the FIFA 2026 Women’s Under-20 World Cup, securing a 1-0 victory over neighbours Tanzania in the third round first-leg match held in Nairobi.
Elizabeth Mideva emerged as the hero for the Kenyan side, scoring the decisive goal five minutes from time to hand Jackline Akoth’s team a narrow but vital win.
All remains to play for in the second leg next week in Tanzania, where the aggregate winner will advance to the final stage of the qualifiers.
The opening 45 minutes were a cautious affair, with both teams struggling to assert control in midfield. Kenya captain Fasila Adhiambo looked most confident on the ball, seeing one of her shots blocked after some skillful work at the edge of the box.
Tanzania briefly thought they had taken the lead, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the six-yard box. The first half ended goalless as both sides sought to gain an advantage ahead of the return leg.
The deadlock was finally broken late in the game, with Mideva’s strike bringing Kenya one step closer to World Cup qualification.
The Starlets will travel to Dar es Salaam next week carrying a 1-0 advantage, aiming to emulate the success of Kenya’s U17 Women’s team, who qualified for the U17 World Cup in 2024.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5–27, 2026.
