Kenya’s Junior Starlets moved to within 90 minutes of securing a second consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup appearance after an impressive 2-0 victory over South Africa in the first leg of the final qualification round on Saturday in Pretoria.
Mildred Cheche’s charges produced a disciplined and clinical display at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium to take a commanding advantage into the return leg, which will be played at Nyayo National Stadium next weekend. A solid performance on home soil will now be enough to send Kenya to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 7.
The victory places the Junior Starlets on the brink of another historic milestone. In 2024, they became the first Kenyan football team, men’s or women’s, to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. Should they complete the job in Nairobi, they will become the first Kenyan side ever to qualify for the global tournament twice.
Despite South Africa enjoying the better start, Kenya remained composed under pressure. The hosts created the first clear opportunity after 10 minutes when Ava Jacobs latched onto an incisive pass from Rethabile Molefe, but her effort drifted wide of the target.
Kenya responded moments later as Brenda Achieng raced onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Lindey Atieno, only to lift her effort narrowly over the crossbar with goalkeeper Dineo Mafumo beaten.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Faith Boke finished off a swift counter-attacking move with great composure, handing Kenya a valuable lead against the run of play.
South Africa had an immediate chance to draw level after being awarded a penalty, but goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo produced one of the defining moments of the match, brilliantly diving to deny captain Koketso Malebana from the spot. The save proved crucial as Kenya carried their slender advantage into the halftime break.
The hosts pushed forward after the restart in search of an equaliser, creating several opportunities, while Mafumo was called into action to keep out a powerful Lindey Atieno free-kick at the other end.
As South Africa committed more players forward, Kenya capitalized on the spaces left behind. In the 70th minute, Brenda Achieng crowned an outstanding performance by calmly finishing to double the visitors’ advantage and put the Junior Starlets firmly in control of the tie.
Kenya continued to threaten on the counter-attack, with Pauline Namisi going close to adding a third goal, while Okoyo remained commanding between the posts to preserve the clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed a memorable away victory that leaves the Junior Starlets with one foot in Morocco. With a two-goal cushion and home support awaiting at Nyayo National Stadium, Cheche’s side now stands just one disciplined performance away from making history once again by earning a second FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup draw has already mapped out the path awaiting the winner of the tie. Should Kenya finish the job at Nyayo National Stadium, the Junior Starlets will be placed in Group C alongside Canada, Brazil and Norway. It promises to be a demanding assignment, but one the young Kenyans will relish as they seek to build on the experience gained during their historic World Cup debut in 2024.
