Kenya’s Junior Starlets have put one foot in the next round of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a clinical 2-1 victory over Namibia’s “Baby Gladiators” on Sunday.
In a match played under the sweltering heat at the UNAM Stadium in Windhoek, head coach Mildred Cheche watched her tactical masterclass unfold within the first ten minutes. The Starlets didn’t just show up; they took over.
Blitz Start Silences the Baby Gladiators
The Kenyans wasted zero time asserting their dominance. Just two minutes after the opening whistle, midfield powerhouse Lindey Weey Atieno spotted the Namibian keeper off her line and unleashed a sensational long-range strike that dipped perfectly under the bar.
Before the home side could even process the 1-0 deficit, Faith Boke made it two. In the 5th minute, Boke displayed incredible composure inside the box to double the lead, leaving the Namibian dugout shell-shocked.
A Slender Advantage for the Return Leg
While Kenya dominated large chunks of the game, a late lapse in concentration allowed Namibia to pull one back in the 84th minute. A spilled ball by the Kenyan keeper gave Khloe Kourtney Teyanna the chance to pounce, making the final score 2-1.
Despite the late goal, the Junior Starlets head back to Nairobi with a vital away-goal advantage. They are now clear favorites to finish the job and advance to a potential second-round showdown against either Zimbabwe or Uganda.
