CECAFA U17: Junior Starlets to face Uganda in knockouts after controversial 16-0 win over Sudan
Kenya’s quest for regional glory in the ongoing CECAFA Women U17 tournament is set to continue as the competition enters the decisive knockout stages.
Following the completion of the preliminary stages, the preceding teams now angle for the knockout rounds, where Kenya’s work is well cut out, with Uganda awaiting them in the semi-finals.
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The Teen Cranes extended their brilliant run at the ongoing CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship after defeating South Sudan 4-0 to register their third win in as many games on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Shadia Nabirye and Justine Ayerango bagged a brace each as Uganda finished top of Group B on nine points, ahead of Somalia, who finished second.
Kenya finished second in Group A behind Tanzania following a last-gasp draw against the host country, courtesy of Jael Simiyu’s added-time equaliser.
The competition has, however, been riddled with controversy after Kenya’s huge 16-0 win over Sudan was cancelled out and instead rendered a standard three-point walkover.
On Thursday, June 18, a committee comprising officials drawn from the participating nations, including Kenya, ruled to annul Kenya’s 16-0 win over Sudan in the group stages and replace it with a standard 3-0 walkover after tournament officials ruled on the abandoned fixture.
Wider implications
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.
The ruling came as a blow for the Junior Starlets, who lost their massive goal-difference advantage, dropping them to second place in Group A behind Tanzania. The decision has attracted the ire of the Kenyan fanbase in what is a fresh rivalry with Tanzania and CECAFA at large.
The ruling’s wider implications could also see Kenyan player Brenda Achieng, a seven-goal scorer in the clash, curtailed from the Golden Boot race.
Kenyan fans have pointed out past precedents: during the 2019 CECAFA U-15 Championship, Uganda’s match against South Sudan was abandoned after South Sudan could no longer continue due to multiple injuries, with Uganda leading 5-0 at the time.
The semi-final fixtures will await the ruling from CECAFA on Kenya’s formal protest against the decision to reduce their 16-0 win over Sudan to 3-0, citing match abandonment.
The semifinal games will be played on Sunday at Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
