Kenya’s Rising Starlets earned a narrow but important 1–0 win over Tanzania in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, taking a slim advantage into the return match in Dar es Salaam.

The East African encounter was evenly matched, characterised by physical contests, organised defending and a shortage of clear-cut chances.

The decisive moment came late in the game when substitute Emily Morang’a created the breakthrough, teeing up Elizabeth Mideva to score five minutes from full time.

Kenya showed attacking intent from the opening whistle and nearly went ahead inside the first minute. Captain Fasila Adhiambo released Mideva with a perfectly weighted pass, but the forward’s cross was stopped by Tanzania goalkeeper Nusra Hamisi.

Tanzania responded shortly afterwards, winning a corner through Hasnath Linus in the sixth minute, but the Rising Starlets dealt comfortably with the threat.

Kenya continued to press, with a slick move involving Valerie Nekesa and Mideva ending in a blocked shot that led to another corner.

In the 12th minute, Tanzania’s Asha Omary attempted her luck from distance, testing Christine Adhiambo, who gathered the ball safely.

Kenya came close again in the 28th minute when Nekesa sent Mideva through on goal, only for Ester Maseke to intervene with a timely block.

Tanzania made a midfield adjustment in the 34th minute, bringing on Winfrida Rajab for Yasinta Joseph in a bid to gain control. Kenya threatened again just before the break when Mideva’s cross found Lorna Faith, but Omary tracked back to clear the danger.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead in added time when Winfrida Gerald found the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Lorine Ilavonga, leaving the scoreline unchanged at halftime.

Kenya introduced Hilder Natecho for Pearl Olesi early in the second half as the hosts sought greater control in midfield. The game grew increasingly physical, with Sheryl Triza shown a yellow card as challenges began to fly in.

Captain Fasila Adhiambo was closely marked throughout, frequently fouled as Tanzania worked to restrict her influence.

Her familiarity with Tanzanian football, where she plays for Simba SC, made her a central focus of the visitors’ defensive efforts.

As the match entered the final quarter, the pressure mounted. Sharon Vidah Okeyo was booked in the 74th minute, while Morang’a was introduced for Lorna Faith as Kenya searched for a late winner. Goalkeeper Ochaka Elizabeth produced a key save to keep Tanzania in the contest.

Mideva missed another opportunity in the 80th minute before Nekesa attempted a clever blind pass that nearly unlocked the Tanzanian defence.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 85th minute. Morang’a’s sharp footwork inside the penalty area created space for a pass to Mideva, who finished calmly to give Kenya the lead.

Kenya remained on the front foot in the closing moments, with Mideva going close again late on and Nekesa forcing Hamisi into a deflection during stoppage time.

The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned 1–0 victory for the Rising Starlets, giving them a valuable edge ahead of the second leg scheduled for February 14 at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.

With everything still to play for, Kenya will now focus on finishing the job in Tanzania as they chase a place in the next round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

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