- Rising Starlets head coach Jackline Juma has named her squad for the first leg of the second round of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia.
- The match will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, kicking off at 3:00 pm EAT.
- Fasila Adhiambo (Simba Queens) will captain the team, with Lorine Ilavonga (Ulinzi Starlets) as vice-captain.
Kenya U20 Women’s National Team head coach, Jackline Juma, has named her traveling squad for the upcoming first leg of the second round of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia.
The Rising Starlets will play the opening match on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, with kick-off set for 3:00 pm EAT.
The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, also starting at 3:00 pm EAT.
Fasila Adhiambo of Simba Queens will captain the side, with Ulinzi Starlets’ Lorine Ilavonga serving as her deputy.
While flagging off the team to Ethiopia on Thursday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, sharing words of encouragement and national pride.
“We are very confident in this U20 team as they depart for Ethiopia. I know they will deliver for this country. We have taken adequate steps as the federation to ensure they are thoroughly prepared. We also want to thank the government for their support, from the national teams to the local level,” stated President Mohammed.
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The squad also features several players from the historic Junior Starlets U17 side that became the first Kenyan team to qualify for a World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year.
These players include Velma Auma, Elizabeth Ochaka, Valerie Nekesa, Lorine Ilavonga, Lornah Faith, Halima Imbachi, Pearl Olesi, Diana Onyango, Mitchelle Waithera, and Ephy Awuor.
The aggregate winner between Kenya and Ethiopia will advance to the third round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Rising Starlets final squad to face Ethiopia
Goalkeepers
Christine Adhiambo, Velma Abwire, Ephy Awuor
Defenders
Elizabeth Ochaka, Vidah Akeyo, Triza Sheryl, Lorine Ilavonga, Ruth Akinyi, Patience Asiko, Quinter Adhiambo
Midfielders
Rebecca Odato, Fasila Adhiambo, Beverlyn Awuor, Jerrine Adhiambo, Halima Imbachi, Pearl Olesi
Forwards
Diana Ochol, Emily Morang’a, Mitchelle Waithera, Lornah Faith, Elizabeth Mideva, Valerie Nekesa, Edina Nasipwondi