Lilian Nyiva
Kenya's Junior Starlets have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after defeating South Africa 3-1 in the second leg of the final qualifying round at Nyayo National Stadium. The victory gave Kenya a 5-1 aggregate win, having already claimed a 2-0 away victory in the first leg in Pretoria.
Comeback Victory at Home
South Africa took an early lead, but the Junior Starlets responded with a determined performance to score three unanswered goals and seal the match. Their disciplined display, attacking intent, and resilience ensured they completed the qualification campaign in convincing fashion.
Back to the World Stage
The qualification marks Kenya's return to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, underlining the continued growth of women's youth football in the country. The Junior Starlets successfully navigated the African qualifying campaign to earn one of the continent's slots at the global tournament.
A Boost for Kenyan Football
The achievement has been widely celebrated by football fans and stakeholders, who have praised the players and technical bench for their impressive performances throughout the qualifiers. The team's success is expected to inspire more investment in grassroots and youth football development across Kenya.
With qualification secured, the Junior Starlets will now shift their focus to preparing for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, where they will aim to compete strongly against some of the world's best young football teams.
