Kenya’s U-17 women’s team picked a 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat on Friday.

Defender Elizabeth Ochaka gave the Junior Starlets the lead after 60 minutes, but the hosts leveled matters through Mayssa Baha 13 minutes later.

The two teams will again face-off in the second friendly match on April 7^th at the same Stadium.

Coach Mildred Cheche are using the friendly matches ahead of a crucial third round qualifier of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup where they face Cameroon.

The Junior Starlets ejected Uganda 5-0 on aggregate in the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Kenya is seeking to book a place in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the second consecutive time.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s senior women’s team suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Ivory Coast in an International friendly match also played on Friday.

Kenya Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has praised her team for the good show in their big 5-0 win against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played on Tuesday.

“I am very happy that after drawing 2-2 in the first match, we managed to re-organise and win 5-0 in the second match,” said a happy Odemba.

Fasila Adhiambo gave Kenya the lead at the Mohammed VI Football Complex after 16 minutes, and Adam Mwanalima made it 2-0 ten minutes later.

The home side tried to get back in the game, but the Kenya Starlets team defended well. Mwanalima netted her second, while Violet Nanjala and Elizabeth Mideva also got their names on the score sheet.

Odemba said that playing such international friendly matches help them build the team and give different players the opportunity to play.  “We hope to play many more International friendly matches and also participate in some tournaments which will help us get better,” added the coach.

In October this year the Kenya Starlets played in the 4-Nations Pink Ladies Cup in Turkey.

The Uganda Crested Cranes will play two international friendly matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coach Shryl Ulanda Botes’ side will line-up against the hosts in the first match on October 27^th at the Stade des Martrys, Kinshasa. The second match will take place three days later.

“I am very excited that my team will have this opportunity to play two International friendly matches against DR Congo. These matches will also help us prepare ahead of the regional CECAFA Women’s Championship expected to take place in Ethiopia,” added Botes.

In-from Brazilian based striker Sandra Nabweteme who plies her trade with Santos Laguna Femenil is expected to lead the Crested Cranes attack together with Indian based striker Fazila Ikwaput.

Meanwhile, in an international friendly match played last evening hosts Morocco defeated Tanzania’s Women’s team 4-1. Enekia Kasonga netted Tanzania’s only goal.  Tanzania will next face Senegal on October 27^th in their second international friendly match.

In a related development Kenya’s Harambee Starlets return to action later tonight against Russia in a 2024 Pink Ladies Cup on-going in Turkey. Kenya lost their opening match 1-0 to Chinese Taipei few days ago. Kenya will play their last match against Phillipines on October 30th.

Tanzania Premier League reigning champions Young Africans SC are the winners of the Toyota Cup.

Young Africans silenced hosts Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the match played on Sunday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The Tanzanian side dominated play from kick off and almost made it 1-0 after 10 minutes, but Prince Dube missed the target. But the Zimbabwean made amends after 25 minutes tapping in from close range after a defensive blunder by Kaizer Chiefs.

The hosts failed to take their chance after 38 minutes after Ranga Chivaviro was not decisive giving the Young Africans defenders time to clear out of danger. At the stroke of half time Aziz Ki made it 2-0 after utilising Dube’s cross.

In the second half, Kaizer Chiefs made some changes, but Young Africans remained determined to make sure they find more goals. After 12 minutes Young Africans tripled their lead with Clement Mzizii getting his name on the score sheet. Aziz Ki completed his brace to make it 4-0 for the Tanzanian champions five minutes later.

Miguel Gamondi, the Young Africans coach said his team played well and did not give the hosts chance to play. “This has been a good match which prepares us well ahead of the busy season,” added the coach.

Before facing Young Africans, the South Africans side that finished 10^th in the League last season had camped in Turkey where they also beat Al Shahaniya 5-2, and drew 0-0 with Dibba Al-Hisn in pre-season matches. Young Africans SC started their pre-season tour of South Africa with a 2-1 defeat to Germany Bundesliga side, FC Augsbury, but recovered to beat South Africa Premier League side Galaxy FC 1-0.