Kenya and Tanzania have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers 2026.

After a 1-1 draw away to Ethiopia in the first leg, Kenya’s Rising Starlets produced a stunning performance to outclass their opponents 4-0 in the return leg played on Sunday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

The hosts were given an early scare when Ethiopian captain Mahelet Mitiku rattled the woodwork, with the rebound going just over the bar. That proved to be a wake-up call for Kenya, who quickly settled into their rhythm and took control of the match.

It didn’t take long for the breakthrough. In the 4th minute, Valarie Nekesa rose high to nod in a well taken cross from Vidah Akeyo. Twelve minutes later, Elizabeth Mideva doubled the lead with a fine low header from captain Fasila Adhiambo’s delivery.

Kenya’s skipper then produced a moment of brilliance in the 26th minute, her thunderous long-range effort hit the woodwork, bounced over the Ethiopian goalkeeper, and settled for the net to make it 3-0. The Starlets almost added a fourth before halftime when Lorine Ilavonga’s well-taken free kick narrowly missed the target.

The Rising Starlets who advanced on a 5-1 goal aggregate will now face Tanzania in the third round.

The Tanzanian side advanced on a 7-0 goal aggregate against Angola. After winning 4-0 in the first leg, Tanzania picked a 3-0 victory in a match played on Saturday in Luanda. Winfrida Hurbert Gerald, Asha Omary Ramadhani and Neema Paul Kinega scored for Tanzania.

In the other matches played CECAFA teams Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan were eliminated. Burundi suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Zambia to bow out 4-1 on aggregate, while Nigeria humbled visiting Rwanda 4-0 to qualify on a 5-0 goal aggregate. South Sudan and Malawi settled for a 1-1 draw in the return leg, but the Southern African team qualified on a 3-1 goal aggregate.

Kenya and Tanzania joined Uganda in the third round. The third round of the qualifiers will be played in February 2026.

Kenya Elite Junior Academy and TDS Girls from Tanzania have registered wins as the CAF U-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) 2025 entered Day 2 on Wednesday in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

The Kenyan side defeated City Light Football Academy from South Sudan 6-0 in a Group A match played at the Azam Complex in Chamazi.

Emily Adhiambo was on target for Kenya Elite Junior Academy after only 8 minutes, and Fleviah Khatenje made it 2-0 after 37 minutes. The City Light Football Academy team tried to reorganize themselves, but failed to stop Kenya Elite Junior Academy’s attacking force.

Substitute Jane Sakwa and Joan Ogola got their names on the scoring sheet before the interval. Skipper Lorine Ishelia Ilavonga and Joan Ogola added two more goals for the Kenyan team.

Midred Omari Cheche, coach of the Kenyan team said she was impressed with the good start her team made in the tournament. “It is a good start, but we must focus on the next match,” added Cheche whose team has now gone top of Group A.

The second match saw TDS Girls (Tanzania) see off Uganda’s Boni Consilli Girls 2-0 in a Group B match.

After a goalless first half Winfrida Mathias and Mary Arone Siyame scored for the home side to give them a perfect start.

Action continues on Friday with two matches on card as JKT Queens (Tanzania) will face Kenya Elite Junior Academy in a Group A match, while City Light Football Academy (South Sudan) will take on Kenys A of Sports.

The tournament, a pioneering initiative by CAF has attracted eight teams from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan.

Tanzania are the champions of the inaugural COSAFA U-20 Women’s Championship title after defeating Zambia 2-1 on Sunday.

Opa Sanga gave the guest side Tanzania the opening goal after 24 minutes at the Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

In the second half Loveness Malunga made it 1-1 after 56 minutes. The Zambian picked up the ball on the edge of the box and rifled home a shot to bring the score level.

With just four minutae sto full time Protasia Mbunda won it for Tanzania with a stunning winning goal. She sent a hard shot past Zambian goalkeeper Anna Mukumbuta.

“This is a very sweet win. We lost to Zambia in the group stage and beating them in the final means we have worked hard,” said Enekia Lunyamila who was Tanzania’s top scorer with four goals.

Lunyamila was also voted Player of the tournament for her good performances in all games Tanzania played.

The tournaments attracted hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia Mozambique, Botswana Eswatini, Zambia and Tanzania.

The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has invited Tanzania to participate in the 2019 COSAFA U-20 Women’s Championship.

The inaugural Championship will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa between August 1-11^th in South Africa.

Tanzania’s team to be handled by Bakari Shime has been placed in Group B alongside Botswana, Zambia and Eswatini (Swaziland).

“We are happy that our team has been invited for this competition. The girls will use the event to gain more international exposure,” said Wilfred Kidao, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) General Secretary. Tanzania’s Women’s team have been dominant in the CECAFA region in the last two years.

Last year COSAFA invited Uganda’s team for the Senior Women’s Championship won by South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

Group A: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi

Group B: Boswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Eswatini (Swaziland)