Rising Starlets goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo has cautioned her teammates against underestimating Tanzania ahead of their third-round FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, warning that the tie will be far from straightforward.
“We know our opponents are no easy match. The game will not be a walk in the park, as many think. They know what they want, and they are all psyched up,” Adhiambo said.
However, the goalkeeper believes steady progress in camp has placed Kenya in a strong position for the crucial encounter. Kenya will host the first leg on February 7 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, with kickoff set for 3:00 pm, before the return leg on February 14 at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania, starting 4:00 pm.
Adhiambo said competition within the squad and constant technical input from the technical bench have sharpened the team’s readiness. “The preparations have been good. There is massive improvement every day, and even for my department as a goalkeeper, there is improvement,” she said.
“The technical bench has been pushing us each time. Now it’s up to us to implement what we have learned and take all the positives. I feel prepared and ready for the task ahead.”
She added that motivation within the camp remains high. “The technical bench has been pushing and motivating us. We have all that in mind, and on the pitch we push ourselves.”
Head coach Jackline Juma echoed similar sentiments, revealing that the team is five days old into residential camp as she continues to fine-tune her squad from a wider pool. “We had about 60 players, and we have been forced to trim down to 32 due to the time factor,” Juma said.
Juma said preparations have gone beyond physical conditioning, with a holistic approach guiding the build-up.
“We want to push the players to the very end because some players are still battling fitness and mental preparedness, among other things, but we are working on all that,” she noted.
Juma described Tanzania as a well-structured side with experience across age groups. “Tanzania is a very good team with players featuring across the age groups, including the senior national team, U20 and U17. It’s not a team we can underrate,” she said.
Kenya reached the third round after beating Ethiopia 4–1 on aggregate. The Rising Starlets drew 1–1 away in Addis Ababa before registering a dominant 4–0 win in Nairobi, with goals from Valarie Nekesa, a brace by Elizabeth Mideva and a composed finish from Quinter Adhiambo.
A win against Tanzania would lift Kenya into the fourth and final round of qualifiers, where potential opponents include Cameroon, Gabon, Niger, Botswana or Mozambique.
The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Poland from September 5 to 17, 2026. Fans have been urged to turn out in large numbers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to rally behind the Rising Starlets as they continue their World Cup qualification journey.
by CHARLENE MALWA
