The Kenya U20 women’s national team, the Rising Starlets, have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers after a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia.
The Starlets sealed their place in the next round with an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday, completing the second-leg rout in style.
Valerie Nekesa got Kenya off to a perfect start with a goal in the 4th minute, before Elizabeth Mideva doubled the lead in the 16th.
Fasila added a third in the 28th minute, and Mideva returned in the second half to notch her second of the match and Kenya’s fourth in the 67th minute.
In the first leg, held a week earlier on September 21 at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Mideva was also on target, scoring the crucial equalizer in a 1-1 draw.
Her three goals across the two legs make her Kenya’s top scorer so far in the qualifiers.
With this result, Kenya now sets up an exciting East African derby against Tanzania in the third round.
The Starlets will host the first leg before traveling for the return fixture, with both matches scheduled for February 2026.
The Rising Starlets will now turn their attention to preparing for this crucial tie, as they continue their quest for a maiden appearance at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
