Kenya vs Ethiopia: Preview, Time and Where to Watch as Rising Starlets Battle Lucy in U20 World Cup Qualifier

Kenya brace for a tense U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier return leg against Ethiopia’s Lucy, with everything still at stake.

The Kenya women’s U-20 national team, Rising Starlets will today step onto the Ulinzi Sports Complex turf knowing that nothing less than victory will keep their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup dream alive. 

The young Kenyans face Ethiopia in the return leg of the second-round qualifiers, with the match kicking off at 3 pm.

The first leg in Addis Ababa ended in a 1-1 stalemate, leaving the tie delicately balanced but with a slight edge for the Starlets thanks to their crucial away goal. That advantage now places them in pole position to progress, provided they deliver on home soil.

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Africa has four  slots available for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup set for Poland thus this clash carries immense weight. 

Starlets head coach Jackline Juma will be under the spotlight as she looks to inspire her charges to seize the moment and advance to the third round, where Tanzania—leading Angola 4-0 after their first leg—awaits.

“We have an away goal, which is a plus for us, but we have to work on our defence because we had a lot of penetration passes and also our forward. There are still a lot of things we analyzed from the game that we must work on during training,” Juma said as per Standard.

Juma has enjoyed a confidence boost following the exploits of the Junior Starlets, who qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, showing Kenya can indeed compete at the highest level. With some of those history-makers now in her squad, the coach is banking on their experience and composure to push past Ethiopia.

Home Advantage and Key Players

The Rising Starlets will be buoyed by home advantage, which could prove decisive in front of an expectant crowd. 

Juma is not expected to make sweeping changes to her lineup, with Elizabeth Mideva—who netted the early goal in Addis Ababa—likely to lead the attack again. She will be supported by Emily Moranga, while Junior Starlets’ heroines Valerie Nekesa and Lorna Faith remain strong options to start.

In midfield, captain Fasila Adhiambo is set to marshal proceedings alongside Vidah Akeyo, Halima Imbachi, and Rebecca Odato, providing both defensive cover and creative spark. 

The backline could once again see former Junior Starlets skipper Elizabeth Ochaka paired with Lorine Ilavonga, while versatile youngster Patience Asiko, who impressed in defence during the first leg, could be deployed further upfield to trouble the Ethiopians.

Goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo is also likely to retain her place between the posts despite her error that gifted Ethiopia the equaliser in Addis. Her shot-stopping ability was otherwise commendable, though Juma still has options in Velma Abwire and Ephy Awuor should she opt for changes.

Pressure and Belief

Juma, an experienced tactician, knows the stakes are high as failure to advance would halt Kenya’s journey toward the World Cup, but the coach remains unfazed, stressing belief in her players. With assistant coach Mildred Cheche—herself a key figure in the Junior Starlets’ success—by her side, Juma has confidence in finding the winning formula.

She added: “Our chances are equal to the task, though we had to strengthen the defence and offence ahead of the decisive encounter.”

Kenya will have to be wary of Ethiopia’s pace and attacking intent, but with discipline at the back and clinical finishing up front, the Rising Starlets have every reason to believe they can rise to the occasion.