Junior Starlets sealed their passage to the second round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 5-0 victory over Namibia’s Baby Gladiators in the return leg played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The result handed Kenya a 7-1 aggregate victory, as Mildred Cheche’s side underlined their intent with a ruthless second-half display in front of a vocal home crowd.
Kenya signaled their intent from the kickoff, pinning the visitors back with a high-intensity press. The hosts dominated possession and territory, with captain Beverline Awuor Otieno and Emily Adhiambo both coming close in the opening ten minutes.
Despite the onslaught, Namibia’s keeper Sylvia Tunga remained resolute, denying Iddah Akinyi in a one-on-one situation and watching as a 43rd-minute strike from Adhiambo was chalked off for offside.
The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half when Brenda Achieng found the bottom corner following a precise pass from Adhiambo.
The provider turned scorer in the 55th minute, as Adhiambo doubled the lead with a magnificent dipping effort from the edge of the area that sailed over the reach of Tunga.
As Namibia faded, the Junior Starlets grew more ruthless. Achieng bagged her second in the 70th minute, finishing a slick one-two with substitute Gaudancia Maloba by rifling the ball into the top left corner. She completed her hat-trick five minutes from time, calmly slotting home after a well-weighted cross from Maloba.
The icing on the cake arrived deep in stoppage time when substitute Elizabeth Opiyo rounded off a fluid attacking move with a fifth goal to spark celebrations at the final whistle.
Kenya now advances to face the winner of the tie between Uganda and Zimbabwe in the second round, scheduled for late May.
Starting Lineups
Kenya: Mishel Okoyo, Grace Mumo, Gaudancia Maloba, Lindey Weey Atieno, Brenda Achieng, Bevarline Awuor (C), Faith Boke, Emily Adhiambo, Rose Nangila, Brenda Awuor, Mwanakombo Bakari.
Namibia: Sylvia Tunga, Joy Sweetness, Shiwovanhu Indileni, Tuuliki Namusakala, Nanami Uarije, Cherifa Cody Garoes, Kanene Tjizuu, Nancy Boipelo Lebang (C), Brianna Matthias, Grace Rehana, Angel Tamara.