The Kenyan Junior Starlets beat Ethiopia to keep the World Cup dream alive

Sensational forward Velma Awuor, Lorna Faith and Nyakach Girls captain Elizabeth Ochaka were each on the scoresheet as Kenya defeated Ethiopia 3-0 in the second leg of the World Cup qualifier played at the Ulinzi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The win saw Kenya advance to the fourth and final round of the World Cup qualifier, where they will face Burundi.

Burundi qualified for the final round after beating Djibouti 25–0 in the second leg of the third round, which was played in Ethiopia.

After picking up the opener on the stroke of half-time through captain Elizabeth Ochaka’s header, Velma boosted the team’s performance with a spectacular finish in the 55th minute, empowering herself with a beautiful turn, drive and ultimately a beautiful volley behind an unfortunate Ethiopian keeper.

Second-half substitute Lorna Faith finished off Kenya’s goal in the 69th minute with a long-range left-footer to dip a beautiful shot behind the Ethiopian keeper.

The winners, Kenya, qualified for the next round of the championship, where they will face Burundi in the fourth and final qualifying round for the U-17 junior world cup.

The two teams, Kenya and Ethiopia, played a poor draw in the first leg at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Ahead of the third round, Kenya qualified with a bye after the Democratic Republic withdrew from the competition while Ethiopia defeated South Africa 3–0.

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final will be held in the Dominican Republic between October 10 and November 3, where Africa is expected to be represented by three teams.

The CECAFA region will be represented by one team between Kenya and Burundi, who will compete against each other in the fourth and final round.