Kenya’s Junior Starlets have defeated South Africa 2-0 in the first leg of the last phase of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers 2026.

The Kenyan side fresh from participating in the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship took to the filed at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with all eyes targeting victory.

After stopping the earlier attacks by the hosts, Faith Boke gave Kenya the lead after 13 minutes. South Africa tried to fight back strongly but the Kenya Junior Starlets defended well.

The hosts were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes, but Kenyan goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo Ngono was up to the task when she saved it.

After recess Brenda Achieng made it 2-0 for Kenya after 60 minutes. The visitors maintained a good defensive system that stopped the South African attacks.

The return leg will be played on July 12^th at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

In another match of the qualifiers, Ethiopia suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Frida Nadashi gave the hosts the lead after 16 minutes, but Miseret Ayele leveled matters after 42 minutes. The hosts made it 2-1 after 55 minutes through Fida Muzuwa.

The return leg will be played on July 12^th at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Four teams from the African continent will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 that will be hosted by Morocco.

Korea DPR are the defending champions, having lifted the trophy for a third time by defeating the Netherlands in the 2025 final.

CECAFA teams Kenya and Ethiopia have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

After settling for a 1-1 draw against Uganda in Kampala, the two sides settled for a goalless draw in the return leg played on Saturday in Nairobi Kenya advanced on an away goal’s rule.

Tanzania were eliminated by South Africa on a 2-0 goal aggregate after they lost the first leg 2-0 and settled for the goalless draw away from home in a match played on Sunday.

Ethiopia managed to see off Burundi 4-2 on goal aggregate after winning the two legs by the same margin 2-1. Mihret Ayele and Lydia Eyasu netted two second half goals to silence the home crowd on Sunday at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura.

Dancille Iranzi had given the home side an early 5^th minute lead, but the hosts failed to find more goals.

Ethiopia will now face Zambia in the final round of the qualifiers, while Kenya take on South Africa. The other matches will see powerhouse Nigeria face Benin, while Senegal take on Ghana.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.

Hosts Ethiopia have defeated Burundi 2-1 in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifier.

Lydia Lyasu netted a first brace to give Ethiopia a 2-0 lead at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

After recess Burundi pulled a goal back through Anita Ndikumana.

On Saturday Tanzania suffered a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in a match played at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

Uganda and Kenya settled for a 1-1 draw in a match played on Friday at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium in Kampala.

The winner between Ethiopia and Burundi will face the winner between Zambia and DR Congo in the third round, while the winner between Uganda and Kenya faces the winner between Tanzania and South Africa.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.

CECAFA teams Uganda and Kenya have settled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifier.

The hosts Uganda took the lead after 13 minutes with Shadia Nabirye scoring at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium.

After a well by Immaculate Acen, Nabirye was quick to rebound after Kenyan goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo had parried back the ball.

But the Kenyan did not give up and continued to attack at the Ugandan goal.

After recess Kenya’s technical bench made changes bringing Emily Adhiambo and Gaudencia Maloba to replace Fleviah Khatenje and Ivy Atieno.

Adhiambo later leveled matters for Kenya with a long shot taken from far outside the box after 61 minutes.

The two teams tried to create more scoring opportunities, but failed to find the goals.

The Uganda Teen Cranes coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, said that her team created some decent scoring opportunities, but where not sharp in finishing. “We need to go back to the drawing board and prepare well for the return leg,” said Botes.

Action continues on Saturday with Tanzania hosting South Africa, while Ethiopia will face Burundi on Sunday.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.