Rising Starlets eye victory against Ethiopia in U20 World Cup push
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 28.09.25. | 09:54
With the crucial away goal, the Jackline Juma-coached Kenyan side will be banking on home advantage, including fan support, to advance to the third round.
The Kenya Women’s U20 national team, the Rising Starlets, face Ethiopia in a 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier scheduled for today, Sunday, 28 September.
The return leg of the second-round tie will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata from 15:00 hrs.
The fixture comes a week after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Sunday, 21 September, at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
Kenya’s goal came early in the match, courtesy of Elizabeth Mideva, who pounced on a rebound just 37 seconds into the game.
With the crucial away goal, the Jackline Juma-coached Kenyan side will be banking on home advantage, including fan support, to advance to the third round.
On the field, captain Fasila ‘Kamama’ Adhiambo will lead the Kenyan charge with eyes on the ultimate prize—a place in the 2026 Women’s U20 World Cup finals.
Juma will once again have the services of her assistant, Mildred Cheche, who successfully guided the U17 Women’s team to the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, around 10 members of that historic U17 squad are in the current U20 team, and their experience at this stage will be invaluable for Kenya.
Juma, who is also the first female coach to lead a men’s top-tier team in Kenya, identified areas that needed strengthening to secure victory.
“We thank God for the away goal; that is a plus for us. At home, we have to be more composed, especially at the back. We’ve identified areas to work on, particularly our defensive line and link-up play in attack,” said Juma after the first leg.
FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga also urged Kenyans to show up in support of the Rising Starlets.
“This will be a crucial match for the girls, and I want to urge all Kenyans to turn up in large numbers. The fans have been great for the Harambee Stars, and we all saw how they pushed the team. If they extend the same support to our girls, we will make it to the World Cup,” said Mariga.
Should Kenya advance to the third round, they will face the winner between Tanzania and Angola.
