CECAFA U17: Kenyan girls open campaign with commanding 16-0 win against Sudan
Kenya’s U17 girls, the Junior Starlets, got their regional CECCAFA Women’s U17 campaign off on a dominant run, overcoming Sudan 16-0 in a one-sided encounter at the KMC stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Brenda Achieng starred in the scoreline-defying result, claiming the lion’s share of the goal-galore encounter, with a whopping seven goals to her name.
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The encounter was bizarrely called off just before the hour mark after the visitors were reduced to fewer than seven players through injuries, with match officials rendering the game unable to proceed.
Achieng needed only six minutes to breach the Sudanese rear guard and open the floodgates. Lindey Weey Atieno and Elizabeth Opiyo also scored braces each as Kenya overwhelmed their opponents from the opening whistle.
Commanding display
Mildred Cheche’s side did not look back, and Flavian Khatenje doubled the lead a couple of minutes after Achieng’s opener.
Mwanakombo Bakari, Tabitha Wambui and Beverline Atieno were also among those on the scoring acts, helping Kenya race to a 16-goal advantage before the Sudanese were put out of their misery
With the victory, the U17 side now focuses on their next game against Somalia. The clash is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Azam Complex.
Beyond competing for regional honours in the ongoing championship in Tanzania, Kenya is using the platform as a valuable stage to ramp up cohesion, assess tactical approaches, and gain competitive match experience ahead of their highly anticipated FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying tie against South Africa.
Kenya recently advanced to the third and final qualifying rounds of the global competition after edging the Uganda Teen Cranes on away goal rules.
The national team outfit now faces the fancied South Africans in a decisive two-legged playoff to determine one of the candidates for the U17 category.
Moments after the emphatic start, Sports CS Salim Mvurya congratulated the girls for their commanding display via a statement on his X page.
“Congratulations to the Junior Starlets on a brilliant start to their U17 CECAFA Women’s Championship campaign with a commanding 16-0 victory over Sudan. Your exceptional performance, determination, and teamwork have set the tone for a promising tournament,” his remarks read.
