Kenya’s Junior Starlets have discovered their path to the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship title following Thursday’s draw held in Kampala, Uganda.

Mildred Cheche charges have been placed in Group A together with hosts Tanzania, Sudan and Somalia for the regional tournament that will run from June 13 to 23 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Kenya will begin its journey against Sudan on the opening day of the competition at KMC Stadium before Tanzania face Somalia in the other Group A fixture.

Seven nations are set to participate in this year’s championship, with Group B made up of Uganda, South Sudan and Djibouti.

The draw was conducted at FUFA TV headquarters by CECAFA communications official Andrew Jackson Oryada, who highlighted the growing importance of the tournament in nurturing young female talent within the region. He also welcomed Somalia and Sudan, who are both preparing for their first appearance in the competition.

Kenya heads into the tournament encouraged by the recent success of the Junior Starlets on the international stage. In 2024, the team etched its name into history after becoming the first Kenyan side to qualify for a FIFA World Cup when they secured a ticket to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship is among several major regional events lined up this year, alongside the CECAFA Kagame Cup, CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers, CAF U-20 CECAFA qualifiers, CAF African Schools Football Championship qualifiers and the CAF U-17 CECAFA qualifiers.

Full Group.