Juma names Rising Starlets provisional squad for Tanzania World Cup qualifier

Rising Starlets head coach Jackline Juma has named a provisional squad of 32 players as Kenya steps up preparations for the third round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania.

The team is already five days into camp as focus sharpens ahead of the decisive two-legged tie.

The provisional list has been trimmed from an initial pool of 60 players who reported to camp at the start of preparations.

According to the technical bench, the reduction follows thorough assessments of player form, fitness levels, and tactical suitability as the Starlets look to assemble a balanced and competitive unit.

Kenya heads into this phase buoyed by an impressive second-round showing against Ethiopia, where the Rising Starlets registered a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory. 

That performance not only secured progression but also reinforced confidence within the squad as they edge closer to the final stages of qualification.

The upcoming encounter against Tanzania will be played over two legs, with the Rising Starlets enjoying home advantage first. 

The opening leg is scheduled for the 7th at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, with kick-off set for 3:00 pm. The return leg will be staged on the 14th at the Azam Complex in Tanzania, starting at 4:00 pm.

The provisional squad blends players who featured prominently in the Ethiopia tie with exciting young talents who have impressed in domestic competitions and recent national team engagements. 

With several days already spent in camp, the technical bench has been working on tactical organisation, physical conditioning, and team cohesion to ensure the players are ready for the demanding fixtures.

With a place in the next round at stake, Kenya will be keen to make home advantage count before pushing for a positive result away. 

Victory over Tanzania would propel the Rising Starlets into the fourth and final round of qualifiers, where potential opponents include Cameroon, Gabon, Niger, Botswana or Mozambique. 

The tournament will be held in Poland from September 5 to 17, 2026.

Fans have been urged to turn up in large numbers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to rally behind the team as the Rising Starlets continue their World Cup qualification journey.

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