U20 World Cup qualifiers: Kenya’s rising starlets sweep past Ethiopia to reach third round

Kenya’s U20 women’s team delivered a dazzling display to overpower Ethiopia 4-0 at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi, sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory to progress to the third round of the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup qualifiers.

The hosts survived an early scare when Ethiopian captain Mahelet Mitiku rattled the crossbar, with the rebound narrowly missing the target.

That moment spurred the Rising Starlets into life as they settled quickly and began to dominate proceedings.

Kenya’s breakthrough came inside four minutes.

Valarie Nekesa rose highest to meet a superb cross from Vidah Akeyo, steering her header beyond Ethiopian goalkeeper Abeba Ajebo to open the scoring.

Twelve minutes later, Elizabeth Mideva doubled the advantage with a precise low header from captain Fasila Adhiambo’s pinpoint delivery.

Adhiambo then produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 26th minute.

Spotting Ajebo off her line, the skipper unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that crashed off the woodwork, looped over the stranded goalkeeper and nestled into the net to make it 3-0.

Lorine Ilavonga nearly added a fourth before the interval with a well-struck free-kick that drifted just wide.

Ethiopia improved after the break, enjoying longer spells of possession, but Kenya’s disciplined defence held firm.

In the 67th minute, Mideva reacted quickest to a rebound after Adhiambo’s effort had been parried by Ajebo, calmly slotting home her second goal of the afternoon.

The forward came close to a hat-trick later on, weaving through defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that clattered against the crossbar.

Ethiopia’s attempts to change the game with late substitutions – including Tarike Petros replacing Mitiku – failed to alter the outcome.

The Rising Starlets saw out the final stages comfortably, maintaining their attacking intent while keeping their defensive structure intact.

The emphatic result secured a 4-0 win on the day and 5-1 overall, underlining Kenya’s growing strength at youth level and providing a major boost to their World Cup qualification hopes.

Next up for the Rising Starlets is a third-round showdown with Tanzania, who cruised past Angola 7-0 on aggregate.

Kenya will be eager to carry the momentum from their dominant performance against Ethiopia into what promises to be another challenging tie on the road to the global finals.