Kenya’s Rising Starlets head coach Jackline Juma has expressed strong confidence that her team has the “tools to finish the job” in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier return leg against Tanzania.
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The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Kenya enters the second leg with a 1-0 advantage following a first-leg victory at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, secured by an 84th-minute goal from Elizabeth Mideva.Â
Juma emphasized that while her team created numerous chances in the first leg, they must be “sharper in front of goal” to seal progression.
The coach noted the team is determined to protect their one-goal lead while remaining aggressive in attack to utilize the away goals rule.
The team features a “golden generation” blend of players from the previous U17 World Cup squad, school games, and the domestic league.
Midfielder Pearl Olesi noted that the team feels they have a psychological advantage after sensing “fear” from their opponents in the first match.
Tanzania’s head coach, Marco Kazobe, blamed the pitch conditions in Nairobi for their first-leg loss and remains confident that the superior surface at the Azam Complex will favor his side’s comeback.Â
The aggregate winner of this tie will advance to the fourth and final round of qualifiers to face either Cameroon or Botswana for a spot in the 2026/2027 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
By Anthony Solly
