Kenya’s Rising Starlets edge out Tanzania in World Cup qualifying race
By Luke Oluoch, February 7, 2026Rising Starlets have taken a slim advantage in their quest to advance to the final round of the FIFA U20 World Cup phases following a crucial 1-0 win over Tanzania in the first-leg match at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Elizabeth Mideva bagged the all-important goal with five minutes left to break a determined Tanzania side in the encounter.
Mideva’s goal came after Jackline Juma’s charges battled to unlock a tight defence for the visitors, who looked to stick to their game plan playing away to a sizeable crowd of fans who heeded the call to turn up for the clash from FKF president Hussein Mohammed.
The opening exchanges of the tie proved a cagey encounter as hosts sought to dominate the game.
Team news
Juma had opted for minimal changes in her starting lineup, with goalkeeper Velma Abwire among the surprise exclusions from the team.
Former Butere Girls custodian Christine Adhiambo was preferred between the sticks.
In defense, Lorraine Ilavonga and Elizabeth Ochaka paired centrally as Fasila Adhiambo, Lorna Faith Wasike, and Mideva led the attack.
A fruitless first half that had the visitors equally threatening ended with the goal remaining unbreached.
Cagey first half
With proceedings cagey under unrelenting heat in Nairobi, Juma opted for changes early on after the restart, with Hilda Natecho brought into the fray before Bullets ace Emily Moranga also came on for Lorna Faith
The changes proved crucial in breaking the deadlock, albeit late on.
Moranga was the creator-in-chief, showing tremendous strength following up on a loose ball to make a decisive touch that Mideva dispatched past the Tanzania keeper for the goal.
The goal proved a saving grace for the Ulinzi Starklets attacker, who moments earlier was at fault for taking one touch too many after the ball was laid on the plate for her inside the box
Kenya now angles for a decisive return leg in Tanzania on Sunday, February 14, 2026, at the Azam Complex Stadium in Chamazi.
The clash has all the pointers of being a hotly contested duel, going by the visitor’s display on enemy territory.
The aggregate winner from the clash will proceed to the fourth and final round of the qualifiers, with a place in the championship in Poland getting ever closer.