Kenya’s Junior Starlets have bowed out of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Japan in the Round of 16, bringing their historic campaign in Morocco to a close.
The East Africans gave themselves hope of another upset after taking the lead against the 2014 champions, but Japan responded before the break and added two more goals in the second half to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Captain Bervalyne Awuor initiated Kenya’s breakthrough in the 30th minute with a long delivery that found Brenda Achieng. The forward controlled the ball before driving a low shot past Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki to put the Junior Starlets ahead.
The advantage, however, lasted only seven minutes. Japan drew level in the 37th minute through Mei Hanashiro, who reacted quickest after a Japanese attack ended with the ball falling into her path inside the penalty area.
Kenya had opportunities to regain the lead before the interval. Noelina Akuku sent a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar, while Japan threatened at the other end, with Yuka Kishida heading against the woodwork shortly before half-time.
Japan returned with greater urgency after the break and began to put the Kenyan defence under sustained pressure. Nanami Kurita struck the crossbar five minutes into the second half before finding the breakthrough in the 58th minute, putting Japan ahead for the first time.
The Junior Starlets attempted to stay in contention, with goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo making important saves to keep the deficit at one. However, Japan’s attacking pressure eventually produced a third goal in the 74th minute.
Substitute Asuka Tanaka collected a delivery from Runa Sumiya, created space against her marker and fired towards goal. Her effort took a deflection off the inside of the post before crossing the line to seal the 3-1 victory.
The result sends Japan into the quarter-finals, where they will face Ghana, while Kenya’s tournament journey ends at the last-16 stage.
Despite the disappointment, the Junior Starlets leave Morocco with a significant achievement. After exiting the group stage during their 2024 debut in the Dominican Republic, they improved on that performance by reaching the knockout rounds in their second appearance.
Their route to the last 16 was far from straightforward. Defeats to China and the United States left Kenya needing a convincing result in their final group match. They responded with a 4-0 win over Samoa, with Mwanakombo Bakari scoring twice alongside goals from Brenda Awuor and Gaudencia Maloba.
That victory secured Kenya a place among the tournament’s best third-placed teams and set up the meeting with Japan.
The team also finished this edition with six goals, improving on the two they scored in the Dominican Republic. Brenda Achieng’s strike against Japan was particularly significant, giving Kenya their first goal in the knockout stage and making them the first team to score against Japan in this tournament.
Head coach Mildred Cheche expressed pride in her players, pointing to their progress and the value of competing at the global level.
