Kenya’s Junior Starlets have secured a second consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup appearance after defeating South Africa 3–1 in Nairobi to complete a commanding 5–1 aggregate victory.
The result sends Kenya back to the global youth championship in Morocco and represents another major milestone for the country’s rapidly developing women’s football programme.
South Africa stunned the home side by taking the lead in the fifth minute through captain Katleho Malebana.
But Kenya responded emphatically after halftime.Gaudencia Maloba equalised with a header before Brenda Awuor converted a penalty to put the Junior Starlets ahead.
Substitute Elizabeth Alizeba then completed the comeback with a counter-attacking goal, sparking celebrations at Nyayo Stadium.
Kenya had already won the first leg 2–0 in Pretoria, meaning the 3–1 victory sealed a 5–1 aggregate triumph.Before the decisive match, Maloba had called on Kenyans to support the team.
We want to welcome all Kenyans, starting with our President, to come and watch our match. We promise we will not disappoint,” Maloba said.
The Junior Starlets delivered on that promise.The qualification is also historic for head coach Mildred Cheche, who guided Kenya to its first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup appearance in 2024.
By taking the team back to the competition, Cheche becomes the first Kenyan coach to lead a national football team to two FIFA World Cup tournaments.
She had warned her players not to become complacent despite their first-leg advantage.
For every game, we prepare for all situations. We prepare for a draw, a loss and a win, but at this particular moment we were preparing for a win,” Cheche said.
Her players responded exactly as required.After conceding early, Kenya recovered, took control of the second half and scored three unanswered goals.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Morocco, giving the Junior Starlets another opportunity to compete against the world’s best young teams.
Their first appearance in 2024 was already historic.
Now they have another chance to go even further.The Starlets have qualified again.
The world awaits.
