Coach Juma confident Starlets will drown Tanzania in FIFA WC U20 qualifiers

Rising Starlets head coach Jackline Juma has hailed her players’ discipline and tactical awareness after Kenya crushed Ethiopia 4–0 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to complete a 5–1 aggregate triumph in the CAF U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The second-leg rout capped an impressive performance following a hard-fought 1–1 draw in the first leg in Addis Ababa, where a flooded pitch hampered Kenya’s attacking rhythm. “Our aim today was to get early goals to unsettle Ethiopia, and it worked perfectly,” Juma told Citizen Digital.

Kenya struck quickly and never looked back. Valery Nekesa opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Elizabeth Mideva doubled the advantage with a well-timed header in the 19th, and Captain Fasila Odhiambo added a stylish out-foot finish to make it 3–0 before halftime. Mideva returned after the break to complete her brace and seal the emphatic victory.

Juma credited a bold tactical approach for the result. “We started with a 1-4-4-2 to get quick goals, then introduced Mwanahalima and Lorna to secure the game before switching to a 1-4-3-3,” she explained. “We are very determined to qualify for the World Cup, and with focus we can achieve it.”

Captain Odhiambo, who scored Kenya’s third, praised the team’s collective effort and the energy of the home crowd. “It’s an honor to score and help the team,” she said. “I expected a win because we had great morale, especially playing at home. Everyone played their part. We now look forward to Tanzania and want to keep this dream alive for Kenya.”

With the victory, the Rising Starlets advanced to the next round of qualifiers, where a tantalizing clash with regional rivals Tanzania awaits in February 2026. Tanzania booked their spot by eliminating Angola, setting up a high-stakes two-leg encounter whose winner will move a step closer to a historic berth at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The comprehensive win over Ethiopia highlights the rapid rise of Kenya’s youth side and the growing strength of women’s football in the country. Guided by Juma’s tactical acumen and inspired by leaders like Odhiambo, the Starlets now shift their focus to maintaining momentum and seizing the chance to make World Cup history.