Image source: Harambee Starlets

Coach Jackline Juma praised the Rising Starlets’ effort in their 1-1 draw with Ethiopia but stressed the need for improvements ahead of the World Cup qualifier return leg.

Rising Starlets coach Jackline Juma has lauded her side but highlighted a few things that need to be worked on after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in the second round of the U-20 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Addis Ababa.

Just 37 seconds into the match, captain Fasila Adhiambo fired a fierce shot from the edge of the box, but it was saved by the Ethiopian goalkeeper.

However, Elizabeth Mideva, who was waiting for the right moment, pounced on the rebound to slot home and hand Kenya a dream 1-0 lead.

Throughout the first half, the Kenya Under-20 women’s football team kept pushing forward, exploiting their speed on the wings to unsettle the Ethiopian defence, but the hosts slowly found their rhythm in the game.

Coming back for the second half, Ethiopia had a plan, and in the 65th minute, Daniel Emush found the back of the net, thanks to the miscalculation from Christine Adhiambo.

Jackline Juma observed that the rain did little to slow the players’ effort, though she admitted her side squandered numerous chances in the first half.

She added that Ethiopia came back charged in the second half, and that is when they got the opportunity to score and dominate the match until the end.

“We started today’s game well despite the rain, which was a huge challenge. We started off well; we had our chances mostly in the first half, but in the second half, we let Ethiopia dominate the game. We have conceded because of a mistake from our end, but of course, our players have given their best,” Jackline Juma told FKF Media after the match.

She added that getting a goal from an away match is a plus for them, and ahead of the return leg, they have to ensure they work on getting the three points.

Jackline Juma also noted that they will be keen on rectifying the mistakes the players committed in their first leg match.

Rising Starlets will be up against Ethiopia in the return leg match to be played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday, September 28.

“We thank God because we have an away goal, which is a plus for us, but in the home game, we have to work on our defensive line because there were a lot of penetration passes,” she added.

“Our forwards, in terms of join-ups and cross balls, so we have a lot of things that we have analysed from this game that we have to work on.”

On her part, defender Halima Imbachi revealed that playing away was one of the big disadvantages, promising that in their return leg match, they will do much better.

“The game today started well; we started with high spirits, and it was a big advantage to us. It was an away game, so Ethiopia had their fans and everything was in their advantage and to our disadvantage,” she added.

The winner of the match between the Rising Starlets and Ethiopia will face either Tanzania or Angola in the third round scheduled for February 2026.