Age-grade continuity tipped to strengthen Kenyan women’s football
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 02.10.25. | 08:20
Juma has retained a significant number of the players who represented Kenya at last year’s Under-17 World Cup for the U20 side and hinted that some of them will soon graduate to the senior national team
Kenya’s Under-20 women’s team head coach, Jackline Juma, believes continuity in age-grade football is the biggest catalyst for the growth of the women’s game in the country.
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Juma has retained a significant number of the players who represented Kenya at last year’s Under-17 World Cup for the U20 side and hinted that some of them will soon graduate to the senior national team.
The coach also serves as assistant to Beldine Odemba in the senior Harambee Starlets, while Mildred Cheche, the U17 coach, is her assistant in the U20 team.
Speaking to Telecomasia.net, Juma said the approach helps develop understanding and cohesion among players.
“You see, when the girls play, there is some understanding between them, and there is some kind of basic plan that they play to. That is what we are striving for, to ensure that there is continuity from the Under-17 to the senior teams,” said Juma.
She added:
“These same girls will also move into the senior team from the Under-20. For me, the age of the senior team, as long as you are good, you will play. That is why it is really important to pick them from a young age and start grooming them early. There are some good steps in growth, and no good talent is lost along the way.”
The Rising Starlets are aiming to become only the second Kenyan team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, drawing inspiration from the group that played at the U17 global showpiece in the Dominican Republic last year.
Valerie Nekesa with the opener for junior Harambee Starlets against Ethiopia. This girl has the best CF movements in the country.
— King (@KenyanRegista) September 28, 2025
Knows where to operate from and doesn’t run much. She sniffs balls and turns them into goals. https://t.co/o8A8I53cek
Kenya reached the third round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers after a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia.
The Starlets sealed the second-round tie with a resounding 4-0 win at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Valerie Nekesa opened the scoring in the 4th minute, Elizabeth Mideva doubled the lead in the 16th, Fasila struck in the 28th, and Mideva returned in the 67th minute to complete her brace.
In the first leg, played on September 21, 2025, at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Mideva scored the crucial goal that earned Kenya a 1-1 draw.
She now leads the team’s scoring chart in the qualifiers with three goals.
The victory sets up an East African derby against Tanzania in the third round. Kenya will host the first leg before traveling for the return fixture, with both matches scheduled for February 2026.
The Rising Starlets will now focus on preparations for the crucial tie as they chase a historic ticket to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
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