Sports

CECAFA U17: Emotional FKF president Hussein Mohammed reacts to Junior Starlets’ elimination

Luke Oluoch 21st June, 2026 04:15 PM

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has sent a message of encouragement to the Junior Starlets following their elimination from the CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

Taking to his official X account, the FKF boss urged the team not to dwell on the loss but instead to find comfort in their overall achievements throughout the tournament.

Kenya U17 loses to Uganda Teen Cranes in CECAFA semis. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/onlinececafa

Kenya’s regional title dreams were shattered following a clinical 3-0 semifinal defeat to defending champions Uganda’s Teen Cranes, leaving the Starlets to contest the third-place playoff while Uganda advances to the final.

Rallying call

Part of the statement from FKF boss Hussein Mohammed to Junior Starlets/ PHOTO/@husseinmoha/X.

“Hold your heads high. Well done on your impressive CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship campaign,” Mohammed’s statement read in part. “We are proud of your performance and how far you have come.”

Shifting focus

The FKF president further explained that the team’s focus will now immediately shift toward preparing for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers. Mildred Cheche’s squad is currently gearing up for a decisive final-round qualifying tie against South Africa, with a historic ticket to the global showpiece at stake.

Uganda Teen Cranes celebrating the win over Kenya. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/FUFAWomen

“The tournament gave us a platform to sharpen our preparations for the World Cup qualifiers,” Mohammed added. “Let us shift our focus—the next challenge starts now.”

Tournament controversy

The exit comes amidst simmering tensions after tournament organisers, CECAFA, sparked a row by annulling Kenya’s emphatic 16-0 group-stage victory over Sudan and declaring the match abandoned.

The match was halted at the hour mark after Sudan were reduced to six players through injuries, leaving them below the minimum number required to continue under the Laws of the Game.

Beyond stripping Kenya of the goal difference needed to top their group, which ultimately forced the tough semifinal pairing against Uganda, the ruling had a devastating individual impact.

Star striker Brenda Achieng saw her incredible seven-goal haul completely erased from the tournament records after the match was officially declared a standard 3-0 walkover.

Mildred Cheche’s side now turns towards preparing for the highly anticipated FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying tie against South Africa.