Hosts Kenya have defeated Tanzania in the first leg of the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Rising Starlets scored late through Elizabeth Mideva in a match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.

Jackline Juma, the Kenyan coach thanked her team for working hard to find a goal against a strong Tanzanian side. “We are happy to pick a win and now we must prepare well for the return leg,” said Juma.

In Kampala, the hosts Uganda settled for a 1-1 draw against Zambia in a match played at the FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.

Agnes Nabukenya scored for Uganda after 23 minutes, while Edith Phiri leveled matters for Zambia after 59 minutes to make it 1-1.

Sheryl Ulanda Botes, Uganda’s head coach said that her team created several chances, but failed to convert them into goals. “The first leg is complete and now we must focus on preparing for the return leg,” added Botes.

The winner after this group will qualify to face the winner between Ghana and South Africa in the final phase of the qualifiers. The winner between Kenya and Tanzania will face the winner between Cameroon and Botswana at the next stage.

Africa will be represented by the best four teams to join 20 others from other continents at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland later this year.

Kenya win, Uganda draw in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

Hosts Kenya have defeated Tanzania in the first leg of the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Rising Starlets scored late through Elizabeth Mideva in a match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.

Jackline Juma, the Kenyan coach thanked her team for working hard to find a goal against a strong Tanzanian side. “We are happy to pick a win and now we must prepare well for the return leg,” said Juma.

In Kampala, the hosts Uganda settled for a 1-1 draw against Zambia in a match played at the FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.

Agnes Nabukenya scored for Uganda after 23 minutes, while Edith Phiri leveled matters for Zambia after 59 minutes to make it 1-1.

Sheryl Ulanda Botes, Uganda’s head coach said that her team created several chances, but failed to convert them into goals. “The first leg is complete and now we must focus on preparing for the return leg,” added Botes.

The winner after this group will qualify to face the winner between Ghana and South Africa in the final phase of the qualifiers. The winner between Kenya and Tanzania will face the winner between Cameroon and Botswana at the next stage.

Africa will be represented by the best four teams to join 20 others from other continents at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland later this year.

Three teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action in the first leg of the first round in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier 2026 on Saturday.

Kenya’s Rising Starlets will hosts Tanzania at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in what promises to be a thriller, while Uganda take on Zambia at the FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.

Coach Jackline Juma has said winning the home match against Tanzania will be a good motivator for the team before traveling for the return leg. “Our training good and we are prepare for the match we know will not be an easy one,” said the Kenyan coach.

Bakari Shime, the experienced Tanzanian coach has also made it clear that they know the importance of the first leg and will work hard to make sure they get a good result.

“I have told my players how important it is to win away and make our work easier in the return leg. Kenya is not an easy team, but we have prepared well for the match,” added the head coach of the Tanzanite Queens.

While Kenya saw off Ethiopia 5-1 on aggregate, Tanzania demolished Angola 7-0 on aggregate to qualify for the third round.

In Kampala Uganda will face a tough test against one of the strongest teams from the COSAFA Zone Zambia.

Uganda who ejected Namibia 5-0 on aggregate on the second round will look to professional players Sylvia Kabene who features for Herbernian FC in Malta and Desire Katisi Natooro (Kenya Police Bullets FC) to lead the team.

Sheryl Ulanda Botes, Uganda’s head coach has also made it clear that they must try to get a positive result at home. “We need to concentrate and get a good result,” said Botes.

After the third group teams will qualify to play in the fourth round which is the final phase of the qualifiers.

Africa will be represented by the best four teams to join 20 others from other continents at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland later this year.

It’s advantage Nigeria after the West African team defeated Burundi 1-0 in the first leg in the last phase of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei converted a penalty at the stroke of half time against the Burundi team that had been reduced to 10 players in a match played on Sunday at the Azam Complex in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Before getting sent-off midway the first half Burundi’s goalkeeper Ariella Umurerwa had saved the first penalty awarded to the Falconets.

In the second half Burundi defended in numbers as they had been reduced by a player. But Burundi’s captain Peace Olga Niyomwungere said hope is not lost yet as they plan for the return leg on January 20th, 2024. ” We need to go back and prepare well and try to get a good results in Nigeria, ” added Niyomwungere.

On Saturday another team from the CECAFA Zone Ethiopia suffered a 2-0 first leg defeat away to Morocco.

The four winning teams in this last phase of the qualifiers will automatically qualify to represent Africa at the for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Colombia.