Rising Starlets cruise past Ethiopia to set up Tanzania clash in World Cup qualifiers
The emphatic victory sealed a 5-1 aggregate triumph for the hosts, setting up a much-anticipated third-round clash with East African rivals Tanzania.
Kenya’s U20 women’s national team, the Rising Starlets, advanced to the final round of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a dominant 4-0 win over Ethiopia in the return leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday.
The emphatic victory sealed a 5-1 aggregate triumph for the hosts, setting up a much-anticipated third-round clash with East African rivals Tanzania.
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Ethiopia started brightly, pressing high and creating danger on the flanks through Senayit Shego and Melat Alimuz. They nearly grabbed a shock lead in the fourth minute when Mahlet Mitiku latched onto a loose ball in the box, but her shot drifted narrowly wide, sparing Kenya an early setback.
Clinical
Kenya, however, was far more clinical in front of goal. The opener arrived in the seventh minute when Valarie Nekesa outjumped her marker to head in a precise cross from Rebecca Odato.
By the 16th minute, the home crowd was celebrating again as Elizabeth Mideva powered Odato’s second assist into the roof of the net.
Ruth Akinyi almost made it three midway through the first half, but her curling effort flew inches wide. The Starlets extended their lead in the 37th minute when captain Fasila Adhiambo’s cross deceived goalkeeper Abeba Ajebo and found its way into the net.
After the break, Ethiopia struggled to penetrate a well-organised Kenyan defence led by Pearl Olesi and Diana Ochol, with goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo Otieno rarely tested. Kenya controlled the midfield through Lorine Ilavonga and Patience Asiko, while the pace of Nekesa and Mideva posed constant threats on the counter.
The hosts put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Mideva coolly slotted home her second of the match, completing a 4-0 rout and ending Ethiopia’s hopes of a comeback.
The Rising Starlets now turn their focus to a regional showdown with Tanzania, who progressed after thrashing Angola 7-0 on aggregate, capped by a 3-0 away win in Luanda.
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