FIFA U17 World Cup Qualifiers: Junior Starlets rally from behind to frustrate Uganda in Kampala
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 22.05.26. | 19:16
The Kenyan girls will hope to capitalise on home advantage and advance to the final round of the qualifiers
Kenya Women's U17 national team, Junior Starlets, have their chances of qualifying to the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in their own hands after they battled out to a 1-1 draw with Uganda in a match played on Friday, 22 May at the FUFA Stadium in Kampala.
A 12th minute strike by Shadia Nabirye gave the Teen Cranes of Uganda a first half lead, before second half substitute Esther Adhiambo scored an audacious stunner to level the scores at the hour mark.
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Kenya booked a date with Uganda in the second round of the qualifiers following a 7-1 aggregate win over Namibia, while Uganda humiliated Zimbabwe 6-1 in the first round.
Taking full advantage of playing at home, Uganda started the match on a high and had a chance in the second minute when Immaculate Achen found a loose ball inside the box, but her shot was blocked by Bakari Mwanakombo.
Uganda had another glorious opportunity in the seventh minute, through a corner delivered perfectly by Vicky Atyeronimungu, but a fingertip touch by Mishe Okeyo was enough to avert the danger.
Uganda took the lead in the tenth minute through Shadia who was well placed to slot home a rebound.
Okeyo had initially palmed a shot from Justine Ayerange, with a slow reaction by the Kenyan backline allowing Shadia to finish off.
Kenya responded with a series of attacks but were let down by Brenda Achieng who could not release the ball on time for Elizabeth Opiyo or Ivy Atieno.
Uganda almost doubled their lead in the 17th minute as Ayerenge dribbled past Awuor and from a tight angle, forced Okeyo into a save for a corner that was wasted.
The Junior Starlets started growing into the game from the 20th minute but could not manage to squeeze the ball past the last line of the defence.
Uganda made the first change in the 40th minute, bringing in Giovanna Aketogwanga for Cynthia Kirenga who had picked a knock.
Starlets coach Mildred Cheche introduced Gaudencia Maloba amd Esther Adhiambo for Ivy Atieno and the ineffective Fleviah Selestine before restart.
The substitutions breathed life into the Kenyan side but were slightly slowed after Brenda Achieng was cautioned for a foul.
Kenya had an attempt in the 50th minute by Achieng who shot wide from a ball delivered by Mwanakombo.
Uganda would then waste a glorious chance in the 57th minute when Nabirye received a ball from Aketogwanga, dribbled past three Kenyan defenders, but shot wide.
Adhiambo would draw Kenya level after confusion between goalkeeper Maimuna Namuwaya allowed her to control and pull the trigger.
Uganda almost replied five minutes later from a poor clearance by Faith Boke,but poor finishing came to the rescue of the visitors.
In the final stages of the match, Kenya resorted to direct long balls but could not tilt the result in their favour.
The two sides will meet for the second leg on Saturday, 30 May at the Nyayo National Stadium with a place in at the third and final qualification round at stake.