Junior Starlets power past South Africa to secure second FIFA World Cup qualification

The Kenyan U17 girls' team, Junior Starlets, has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging South Africa 3-1 in the second leg of the final round of the qualifiers.

The contest, staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, saw Starlets rally from behind to secure the vital win and secure their second ever ticket to the World Cup.

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Starlets made history after becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for the World Cup after punching a ticket to the 2024 finals held in the Dominican Republic.

Having beaten South Africa 2-0 in the final round od qualification to the 2026 finals, Mildred Cheche's charges needed just a draw to book a place in the global showpiece set to be held in Morocco in November.

However, coach Cheche and the team took no chances, fighting hard in the second half to not only level matters, but also win the match convincingly.

Further, Cheche and her girls understood the need to sign off the qualifiers with a win in front of the thousands of Kenyans, who painted Nyayo red and white.

South Africa took the lead in the eighth minute through Katleho Malebana, who capitalised on a defensive mistake by Beverline Awuor to score past Mishel Okoyo.

Kenya had a chance to draw parity two minutes later but Brenda Awuor saw her strike, from a Noelina Akuku pass, kiss the outer of the post.

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Lindey Weey threatened to score but her two free kicks went begging.

Kenya were forced into a half time substitution bringing in Emily Adhiambo for the injured Lindey.

Starlets skipper Awuor nearly drew Starlets level in the 50th minute but she headed Fleviah Khatenje's corner wide.

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South Africa goalkeeper Dakalo Mafumo would make a fine save moments later tondeny Brenda Achieng, who was through on goal.

Kenya's persistence would then pay off in the 70th minute through Gaudancia Maloba, who completed her run inside the box to meet Pauline Sylvia's cross.

In the 83rd minute, Cheche introduced Elizabeth Opiyo for Maloba and from her forst touch, she won the penalty that Brenda Awuor converted to give Kenya the lead in the 85th minute.

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Opiyo justified her introduction once again, slotting home the third goal in the 90th minute to seal the big win.

The 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup will be held in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November.