Kenya U20 leave it late to edge Tanzania in FIFA U20 World Cup qualifier
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 07.02.26. | 17:48
The two teams will have another go at each other when Tanzania hosts the second leg at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, 14 February.
Kenya women's U20 side, Rising Starlets, secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Tanzania in a 2026 FIFA U20 World Cup qualifier held on Saturday, 7 February at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The all-important goal was scored in the 85th minute by Elizabeth Mideva to give Kenya an advantage ahead of the second leg.
The two teams were meeting in the penultimate preliminary hurdle as they both sought to book a place in the final round and eventually secure a ticket to the global tourney in September.
The Rising Starlets, under the tutelage of Jackline Juma, headed to the match looking to maximise home advantage ahead of the second leg.
Keen on utilising the boisterous support of their vociferous locals, Kenya began the match on a high, enjoying large spells of possession and threatening through direct attacks targeting Valarie Nekesa and Elizabeth Mideva by the fifth minute.
As the 10th minute approached, captain Fasila Adhiambo and Mideva started enjoying some short and quick attacking passes, trying to break the Tanzanian defense in search of an early goal.
Pearl Olesi had Kenya’s first attempt in the 13th minute when she picked a ball outside the box and attempted a shot that went over the bar.
Two minutes later, Tanzania registered the match’s first shot on target when Asha Omary from the left flank drove inside her favourite left foot before pulling the trigger, but Christine Adhiambo was there to make a comfortable save.
Lorna Faith had Kenya’s next attempt in the 20th minute from a long-range shot before she had a second chance five minutes later, which went inches over the bar.
Kenya wasted a glorious opportunity to go ahead in the 45th minute when Mideva was through on goal, but instead of shooting, tried to locate Faith with a pass that was smothered.
Tanzania thought they had taken the lead in the second minute of added time, but Winfrida Hubert was judged to have committed a foul before scoring, even as the teams settled for a barren draw at halftime.
In the second half, the pace was much lower at the start, and both teams struggled to exert their dominance, with possession changing quickly courtesy of missed passes.
Nekesa could have given Kenya the lead at the hour mark, but missed a Lorna Faith perfect cross inside the box. In a quick transition, Tanzania had a chance through the impressive Hubert, but her shot was well saved by Christine in the Kenyan goal.
The match then concentrated in midfield, where each side was battling to dictate the tempo and proceedings, but neither was significant by the 70th minute.
Kenyan fans were becoming impatient as the clock ticked, and called for the introduction of Kenya Police forward Emily Moranga.
However, as Moranga came on in the 77th minute, the fans were disappointed that it was Lorna Faith giving way and expressed their feelings by booing as Faith exited the field of play.
As the match progressed, Tanzania began to see much of the ball, dominating play and launching attacks with Hubert notably tasting Christine in the 80th and 84th minute, but to no success.
The match’s most important moment came in the 85th minute when Nekesa fed Moranga with a cross inside the box, and as she pulled the trigger, it hit the arm of a Tanzanian player, but before the referee decided on what to do, Mideva picked up the loose ball and shot into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
With the advantage, Kenya retreated to defensive mode to protect their lead as Tanzania pushed forward in search for a goal that was elusive, with the game ending 1-0 in favour of Kenya.
The two teams will have another go at each other when Tanzania hosts the second leg at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, 14 February.
The aggregate victor will meet the winner between the Botswana and Cameroon tie in the final round, where the winner will book a place in the World Cup scheduled for 5-27 September in Poland.
Kenya Starting X1: Christine Adhiambo, Pearl Olesi, Elizabeth Mideva, Valarie Nekesa, Diana Ochol, Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorna Faith, Sharon Vidah, Lorine Ilavonga, Fasila Adhiambo ©, Sheryl Triza.
Tanzania Starting XI: Nusra Hamisi, Hasnath Ubamba, Mary Arone, Yasinta Joseph, Asha Omary, Alia Fikiri, Lidya Maxmillan, Diana William, Esther Maseke, Jamila Rajabu, Winifrida Castor ©.
