Kenya’s Junior Starlets have made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to advance beyond the group stage of a FIFA World Cup after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group E match at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The historic victory, secured on Sunday, October 25, at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, booked the Mildred Cheche-coached side a place in the Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s football history.
The Junior Starlets delivered a commanding performance, scoring twice in each half to overcome Samoa and keep their World Cup campaign alive after two difficult opening matches.
Striker Mwanakombo Bakari opened the scoring in the fourth minute, giving Kenya an early advantage before Brenda Awuor doubled the lead in the 44th minute with a well-taken effort to send the team into the break with a comfortable 2-0 cushion.
Kenya returned from the interval determined to strengthen their grip on the match, with Gaudancia Maloba extending the lead in the 62nd minute before Bakari completed her brace two minutes later to seal a convincing 4-0 victory.
Bakari’s impressive display earned her the Player of the Match award as the Junior Starlets produced the emphatic goal margin they needed to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
Despite their dominance, Kenya missed an opportunity to add a fifth goal after Lindey Atieno’s penalty was saved by Samoa goalkeeper Susannah Peacock.
The four-goal victory proved decisive as Kenya finished third in Group E with three points, advancing as one of the tournament’s four best third-placed teams. China’s 3-2 victory over the United States in the other group match also helped shape the final qualification standings. <Cite refs={[“turn789218search1″,”turn789218search4”]}/>
Historic Milestone for Kenyan Football
The achievement marks the first time a Kenyan team has progressed beyond the group stage at a FIFA World Cup, representing a significant breakthrough for the country’s football and women’s game.
Kenya had previously participated in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, where the Junior Starlets exited at the group stage despite recording a 2-1 victory over Mexico in their final match.
Their journey in Morocco had initially appeared to be heading towards an early exit after a 3-0 defeat to China and a 6-1 loss to the United States. Lindey Atieno scored Kenya’s consolation goal against the Americans.
However, the young Kenyan side responded with determination against Samoa, turning a difficult start into a historic qualification for the knockout rounds.
The Junior Starlets will now face Japan in the Round of 16 on Thursday, October 29, at 9pm East African Time, as they seek to extend their remarkable run and make even more history on the global stage.
