Fifa U20 World Cup Qualifier: Kenya's Rising Starlets floor Tanzania

Kenya’s Rising Starlets took a huge step in their quest to qualify for the Fifa 2026 Women’s Under-20 World Cup after they beat neighbours Tanzanian 1-0 in the third round of qualifier first leg match staged in Nairobi.

Elizabeth Mideva was the star of the show scoring the all-important goal with five minutes to play to hand the Jackline Akoth coached Kenyan side the win.

There is all to play for in the return leg next week in Tanzania as the aggregate winner advance to the final hurdle of the qualifiers.

The opening forty five minutes was a cagey affair with both teams struggling to establish control in the middle of the park.

Captain Fasila Adhiambo looked the most confident on the ball having her shot blocked after some impressive footwork in the edge of the box

Tanzania thought they had taken the lead but it was pulled back for a foul as the shot was taken in the 6 yard box. The game went into the halftime break goalless as both teams looked to take a positive step into the 2nd leg

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes to time by Mideva strike, taking Kenya one step closer to World Cup qualification.

The Starlets will now take the 1-0 into the second leg in Tanzania Dar es Salaam as they attempt to replicate the U17 Women's achievement in 2024 when they qualified for the U17 World Cup.

The Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup is set to be staged next year, with Poland hosting the championship, from September 5- 27.