Kenya’s Junior Starlets defeated Uganda 3-0 in the second leg, securing a 5-0 aggregate victory to advance to the final round of the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers. Substitute Brenda Achieng scored a quick hat-trick, enhancing Kenya’s lead after an early goal by Patience Asiko. Uganda struggled to penetrate Kenya’s defense, and the Kenyan team later confirmed their dominance with a final goal. They will face Cameroon next in their qualification efforts.
The Junior Starlets of Kenya achieved a noteworthy victory over Uganda, progressing to the final round of qualification for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup. The match concluded with a score of 3-0, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate, largely thanks to substitute Brenda Achieng’s impressive hat-trick within six minutes. Early in the match, Patience Asiko opened the scoring in the fifth minute, giving Kenya a strong advantage following their first leg win in Kampala.
Despite Uganda’s attempts to break through Kenya’s defense with their passing, the team struggled to secure shots on goal. Their best opportunities came from captain Agnes Nabukenya’s free-kicks, which unfortunately went over the bar. In the second half, Kenya maintained their intensity, but it was not until the final moments of the match that they solidified their lead.
In a crucial late-game scenario, JoyAngela Valencia assisted Achieng, who scored from a close range. Achieng then further sealed Uganda’s fate by scoring again in the second minute of injury time, showcasing her individual skill. Kenya will now face Cameroon in the next qualification round.
In post-match comments, Sheryl Botes, the head coach of Uganda, acknowledged the tactical prowess of the Kenyan team, highlighting their World Cup experience contributed to their strong performance. Mildred Cheche, the coach of Kenya, expressed pride in the team’s execution and alignment with their tactical strategy while emphasizing the importance of focusing on the upcoming challenging match against Cameroon. Captain Halima Imbachi articulated the team’s joy at winning on home soil, acknowledging fan support and the significance of this victory in their World Cup dreams.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets successfully advanced in the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers by defeating Uganda 3-0 in their recent match and 5-0 on aggregate. The team’s strategic execution and Achieng’s outstanding performance were pivotal to their success. With their eyes now set on the upcoming match against Cameroon, both the coach and captain expressed optimism and readiness for the challenges ahead, marking a significant step in Kenya’s pursuit of World Cup qualification.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
