Rising Starlets' Diana Onyango vies for the ball with Tanzania's Lydia Kabambo during the U20 World Cup qualifier at Ulinzi a week ago/ CHARLENE MALWA

Former Harambee Starlets tactician Alex Alumira has backed Rising Starlets to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup despite the threat posed by Tanzania. 

The Jackline Juma-coached side thrashed neighbours Tanzania 1-0 last Saturday, thanks to Elizabeth Mideva’s 84th-minute strike at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. The win gave Kenya an advantage heading into the second leg, scheduled for this Saturday at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

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Alumirah, who is also the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) head of football education and school football programmes, said the first-leg win instilled confidence in the girls ahead of the second leg. “I’m confident they will beat Tanzania in their backyard and qualify for the final round. I watched the first leg match, and I was really impressed by the mental strength coach Juma instilled in the girls."

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Most of the players graduated from the U17 side, which took part in the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic, and that speaks volumes about the chemistry of coach Juma and Mildred Cheche.”

“According to my vast experience in women’s football, this is a big stage, and with the advantage of the first leg, the girls need to focus and have mental strength," he said. 

Alumira added, "Tanzania will have the advantage of playing at home, and as I know them, they will play attacking football, so our defence needs to be stiff."

A win over Tanzania would set Kenya up for a tougher next assignment against either Botswana or continental heavyweights Cameroon.

The winners will earn a ticket to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Poland from September 5-27, 2027. "I can’t go deep on the tactical approach because the coach is the one who knows the players better, according to the training they have undergone."

He added, “I saw a section of fans calling on the coach to bring in Emily Moranga early, but she is the one who understands her fitness well. Let’s give coach Juma space to lead the team, and I’m sure we will beat Tanzania and go on to qualify for the World Cup.”

The Starlets arrived in Dar-es-Salaam on February 10 to prepare for the decider clash.