Rising Starlets exude confidence ahead of Women's U20 World Cup qualifier clash against Tanzania
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 07.02.26. | 09:00
The squad boasts experienced players led by skipper Fasila Adhiambo, keen to hold their own against their East African rivals
Kenya U20 Women national team, Rising Starlets welcomes their Tanzanian counterparts as the two nations renew rivalry in a FIFA U20 Women's World Cup qualifier match today, Saturday 7 February at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata from 1500 hrs.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
The match will be the first of a two-legged clash between the two sides, with the second leg taking place on Saturday, 14 February at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam with the aggregate winner qualifying to the next round.
With a place in the World Cup at stake, coach Jackline Juma is confident of her side's preparations ahead of the match.
“The mood in camp is great. The girls have been playing so well and are psyched up. We are looking forward to a positive result. Winning the first match would be a plus for us and therefore we are going to maximize on our home advantage to get maximum points,”said Juma.
With Kenya and Tanzania sharing football rivalry over the years that has seen increased online banter over the past few years, Juma avoided the online banter, choosing to keep focus on the important clash on Saturday afternoon.
“To be honest, it is all about Kenya versus Tanzania, and it is all about the match. I do not want to look at any other thing, but let the pitch decide,” she said.
Valarie Nekesa is hoping to bank on her experience at the 2024 U17 Women's World Cup to help the team make it to the global tourney.
“Playing with the U17 at the World Cup was great. We experienced how it is done in that big stage and would like to do it again with the U20. The technical bench has done their hit and so what remains of us is to execute the plan,” she said.
On her part, the team’s captain Fasila ‘Kamama’ Adhiambo is wary of the Tanzanian threat but is confident of Kenya’s ability, promising to lead from the front.
The Rising Starlets are grinding hard in training! This Saturday Jirani must fall! Have you grabbed your tickets? Visit https://t.co/h5jeGxP1If secure your tickets in advance, regular 100, VIP 500, tupatane Ulinzi Sports Complex mapema! Itakua mbaiyaaa!#RisingStarlets pic.twitter.com/3dBGlifNSI
— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) February 5, 2026
“It is a big match. Tanzania are not an easy team, considering their goals against Angola. Nevertheless, we are well prepared and have been trained well. What remains is just to deliver. I have scored three goals and if Tanzania fails to prepare well, I will score against them as well,” she stated.
The Simba Queens player went ahead to issue a please to Kenyans.
“I just want to urge our fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team. We have reached this stage courtesy of their support and we once again call on them to rally behind the team.”
