Written by Peris WambuKenya sports betting writer
Published 30 October 2026
Kenya’s youngest women’s side bowed out of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Thursday night, beaten 3-1 by Japan in the last 16.
Brenda Achieng put Kenya ahead before half-time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. The Junior Starlets were appearing in the knockout phase for the first time in their history.
Japan had other ideas. They found an equaliser before the interval, then scored twice after the restart to settle the tie.
A campaign to be proud of
Defeat hurts, yet the Junior Starlets leave Morocco having achieved something no Kenyan team at this level had managed before. Simply reaching the knockouts marks a turning point for the country’s women’s football.
The experience of facing one of the youth game’s top sides will be valuable as these players progress towards the senior Harambee Starlets setup.
Japan look ahead to Ghana
Japan advance to a quarter-final showdown with Ghana after a fightback that showcased their resilience.
For Kenya, the focus now shifts to nurturing this group. Stronger grassroots structures and more regular competitive matches will help turn this historic run into a lasting foundation.
