Kenya’s Under-17 women’s national team, the Junior Starlets, made history on Sunday, October 25, after defeating Samoa 4-0 to qualify for the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Mwanakombo Bakari scored twice as Kenya secured a convincing victory in their final Group E match, becoming the first Kenyan team to progress beyond the group stage of a FIFA World Cup.
Bakari opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Brenda Awuor doubled Kenya’s lead in the 44th minute, giving the Junior Starlets a 2-0 advantage at half-time.
Gaudencia Maloba extended the lead in the 62nd minute, and Bakari completed her brace two minutes later to seal the emphatic win.
The result proved decisive in Kenya’s bid to advance as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams after earlier defeats to China and the United States.
Kenya’s next challenge will be against Japan in the Round of 16 on Thursday, October 29, as the team seeks to continue its historic run at the global tournament.
