Rising Starlets Edge Closer to World Cup Dream With Big Win Over Ethiopia

Kenya have sailed through to the final round of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a convincing 4-0 victory over Ethiopia in the second-leg clash at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday. 

The win saw the Rising Starlets wrap up a 5-1 aggregate triumph to book a date with regional rivals Tanzania in the next stage.

It was Ethiopia who started brighter, dominating the early exchanges and looking dangerous down the flanks, with Senayit Shego and Melat Alimuz constantly stretching the Kenyan defense. 

The visitors nearly silenced the home crowd in the fourth minute when Mahlet Mitiku latched onto a loose ball inside the box but dragged her effort narrowly wide. 

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Kenya, on the other hand, were more direct and lethal when chances came. The breakthrough arrived in the seventh minute when Valarie Nekesa rose highest to meet a Rebecca Odato delivery, powering a header past goalkeeper Abeba Ajebo to put the hosts in front. 

By the 16th minute, the home side doubled their advantage. Odato turned provider again, swinging in a teasing cross that was met first-time by Elizabeth Mideva who fired into the roof of the net to send the home fans into raptures.

Ruth Akinyi came close to stretching the lead further in the 28th minute when she found space at the edge of the area, but her curling shot whistled inches wide of the upright. 

Ethiopia’s struggles deepened before the interval as Kenya captain Fasila Adhiambo launched a hopeful cross from the left in the 37th minute. Ajebo misjudged the flight, and the ball slipped through her grasp into the net to make it 3-0.

Ethiopia’s attempts to mount a comeback after the break were thwarted by Kenya’s disciplined defensive shape. Centre-backs Pearl Olesi and Diana Ochol marshaled the backline superbly, limiting the visitors to long-range efforts that failed to trouble goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo Otieno.

The Rising Starlets managed the tempo intelligently in the second half, conserving energy while threatening on the counter through the pace of Nekesa and Mideva. 

Kenya continued to tighten the screws on the visitors after the restart, controlling the midfield through Lorine Ilavonga and Patience Asiko. 

Jacqline Juma’s charges  found the back of the net once more in the 67th minute when Mideva ghosted into the box to meet another fine cross and calmly slotted home her second of the afternoon, stretching the lead to 4-0. 

Ethiopia looked deflated, struggling to cope with the intensity and attacking rhythm of the hosts.

Kenya’s reward for their impressive performance is a tantalizing third-round showdown with Tanzania, who thrashed Angola 7-0 on aggregate after a 3-0 win away in Luanda. 

Kenya: Christine Adhiambo Otieno, Ruth Akinyi, Lorine Ilavonga, Patience Asiko, Vidah Akeyo, Pearl Olesi, Rebecca Odato Orute, Fasila Adhiambo (C), Diana Ochol, Valarie Nekesa, Elizabeth Mideva 

Substitutes: Ephy Awuor, Triza Sheryl, Halima Imbachi, Edina Nasipwondi, Lornah Faith Wasike, Mitchelle Waithera, Emily Morang'a 

Ethiopia: Abeba Ajebo, Hirut Tesfaye, Tigist Adane, Senayit Shego, Meseret Mamo, Zufan Defersha, Melat Alimuz, Betelhem Mentelo [C], Dagmawit Solomon, Emush Daniel, Mahlet Mitiku 

Substitutes: Abebeyaehu Tassew, Betelhem Gizachew, Milien Gayem, Birhan Haileslassie, Tarik Petros, Fikraddis Gezahegn, Selamawit Gossaye