Kenya Rising Starlets Head Coach Jackline Juma has named a 21-player travelling squad to Ethiopia for their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
The 21 players traveling to Addis Ababa will open a two-legged second-round tie against Ethiopia on 21 September 2025 at Abebe Bikila Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for 28 September 2025 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
The winner on aggregate will progress to the third round of CAF qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Kenya’s Squad
Head coach Jackline Juma named a 21-player traveling squad that mixes promoted juniors and experienced campaigners.
Rising Starlets’ U20 Traveling Squad
Goalkeepers
Christine Adhiambo
Velma Abwire
Ephy Awuor
Defenders
Elizabeth Ochaka
Patience Asiko
Vidah A. Sharon
Triza Sheryl
Lorine Ilavonga (Vice Captain)
Ruth Akinyi
Quinter Adhiambo
Midfielders
Rebecca Odato
Fasila A. Omondi (Captain)
Beverlyne Awuor
Jerrine Adhiambo
Halima Imbachi
Pearl Olesi
Forwards
Emily Morang’a
Mitchelle Waithera
Lornah Faith
Elizabeth Mideva
Valarie Nekesa
Diana A. Ochol
Key inclusions
Christine Adhiambo brings a lot of international youth experience and is expected to start between the posts, while Velma and Ephy provide solid backup options.
The backline will be controlled by Elizabeth Ochaka and Vidah Sharon, both known for their aerial dominance and game-reading ability in previous matches for the Harambee Starlets and face the critical task of containing Ethiopia’s dynamic forward line.
Alongside captain Fasila Omondi, Rebecca Odato and Beverlyne Awuor will be tasked with controlling possession while
Up front, Diana and Emily are known for their pace and finishing ability, while Mitchelle and Valarie excel in link-up play and pressing and will be key to providing a much-needed win for Kenya.
Ethiopia Clash
The Abebe Bikila Stadium, located in Addis Ababa at an altitude of approximately 2,490 meters, features an artificial turf that demands adaptation.
High altitude impacts stamina and ball movement, factors Kenya has addressed by training on similar surfaces and focusing on recovery strategies to cope with the oxygen-thin environment after losing last time at the same stadium against Ethiopia.
The stadium has a capacity crowd of around 25,000, and the Rising Starlets will need to handle the pressure of a hostile atmosphere.
This fixture is part of CAF’s multi-round knockout format, where only consistent performances across home-and-away matches will secure progression.
Africa has limited qualification slots for the expanded 24-team 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup, making every goal and away result crucial.
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The Rising Starlets will aim to score at least once in Addis Ababa to take an advantage into the Nairobi return leg, where home support could prove decisive.
Kenya’s Expectations
For Kenya, this campaign is a chance to reap the benefits of a long-term youth development plan led by Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which has promoted several players from the Junior Starlets U17 team to the U20 setup.
These players bring experience from the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, ensuring continuity and a more compact team as they graduate to the senior youth ranks of the Harambee Starlets.
A good result in Ethiopia would also enhance the Rising Starlets’ reputation on the continental stage, inspiring further investment and support for the game domestically, considering the recent Harambee Stars run in CHAN 2024.
Kenya’s Rising Starlets have previously advanced to this stage of the CAF U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, but they have never qualified for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Their best performance came in the 2022 qualifiers, where they reached the third round for the first time.
They defeated Rwanda in the opening round and Uganda in the second before falling to Ghana in the third round, losing 7-1 on aggregate and being knocked out.
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In the 2024 qualifiers, Kenya again advanced past Angola but faced Ethiopia in the third round.
Playing at high altitude on artificial turf in Addis Ababa, Kenya, struggled in the first leg and could not overturn the deficit in Nairobi, exiting the competition once more.
With the blend of experience, emerging talent, and tactical preparation, Jackline Juma has stated that the Rising Starlets are determined to navigate Ethiopia’s challenges and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
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