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Kenya U-20 girls begin 2026 Fifa World Cup campaign with victory
Kenya Rising Starlets' Elizabeth Mideva (right) vies for the ball with Tanzania's Ester Maseke during Fifa Under-20 women's World Cup 2026 on February 7, 2026 at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Elizabeth Mideva’s 85th-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory for Kenya against Tanzania in the first leg of their 2026 Fifa Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifier match on Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Following the victory against Tanzanite Queens, Kenya’s Rising Starlets have put one foot in the fourth round of the qualifiers of the global age-group competition, which will be played in Poland from September 5-27.
Tanzania will host the return leg on Saturday, February 14, at Azam Sports Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam. The aggregate winner of the two-leg fixture will play either Cameroon or Namibia.
On Saturday, Rising Starlets coach Jackline Juma started with Christine Adhiambo in goal, shielded by Diana Ochol, Elizabeth Ochaka, and Lorine Ilavonga in defence. Sherly Triva, captain Fasila Adhiambo, Lorna Faith, and Pearl Olesi controlled the midfield, supported by experienced attackers Sharon Vida, Valarie Nekesa, and Elizabeth Mideva.
Seven members of Kenya’s starting line-up - Adhiambo, Ochol, Ilavonga, Ochaka, Faith, Olesi, and Nekesa - played in the 2024 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Tanzania, on the other hand, fielded a highly experienced squad, with all players active in the Tanzanian Women’s Premier League for clubs such as Simba Queens, Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) Queens, Yanga Princess, as well as a player featuring for FC Masar of Egypt.
Tanzania’ coach Bakari Shime also made an early substitution in the 35th minute of the match, bringing on experienced Winfrida Hubert Gerald for striker Yasinta Joseph to strengthen the attack, but the change proved ineffective.
Starlets’ central midfield of Ilavonga and Ochaka proved difficult to beat. Kenya failed to convert their chances, mainly from set pieces and crosses, into goals and the first half ended goalless.
In the second half, both teams again made substitutions in midfield. Kenya’s coach Juma introduced Hilder Natecho for the tiring Olesi to inject fresh energy in midfield. In the 70th minute, Juma introduced Emily Kemunto Morang’a for Faith, and Shime reacted by introducing midfielder Neema John Damas for Winfrida Casta.
In the 80th minute, Jumas’ substitutions yielded fruit as Morang’a provided an assist for Mideva, and the forward tapped the ball home to put Kenya ahead.
“I am happy with the win. We will address the gaps seen during the match. As we head to the return leg, we need to protect the goal that we already have,” coach Juma who is a Caf ‘A’ license holder, said afterwards.
Tanzania’s coach Shime blamed their loss on the condition of the pitch. He criticised Kenya for hosting the match on a sub-standard pitch, and invited Rising Starlets to experience ‘perfect football pitch’ in Tanzania.
“They would have scored more than one goal if they had a better playing surface. My players struggled to pass the ball here,” he noted.
Kenya got a bye in the first round of qualifiers, and defeated Ethiopia 5-1 on aggregate in the second round last November. On the other hand, Tanzania got a bye in the first round, and thumped Angola 7-0 on aggregate in the second round.
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