Kenya’s debut at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup ended in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of England, but the Rising Stars’ performance gave fans hope for the future.
The match, played at the Estadio Cibao FC in the Dominican Republic, showcased moments of promise, even though England’s clinical finishing and control of the game ensured they walked away with all three points.
The defeat, however, doesn’t signal the end for Kenya, as the team now looks ahead to their next match against North Korea, the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Can Kenya regroup and pull off a stunning comeback?
The match began with Kenya coming out of the blocks full of energy and ambition. It took just two minutes for Valarie Nekesa to register the game’s first shot on target. Her effort was easily saved by the English goalkeeper, but it was a clear sign that the Kenyan team meant business.
For the first 15 minutes, the Rising Stars matched England’s intensity, showing resilience and discipline in their play.
However, as the game progressed, England started to dictate the tempo, and Kenya’s defense was increasingly tested.
¡EL GOL DE LA VENTAJA!
⚽ Así marcó Brown el penal que le da la victoria parcial 1-0 a Inglaterra sobre Kenia por el #U17WWCEnDSPORTS.
¡Se juega por #DIRECTV y #DGO! #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/NoUGttjLmF
— DSPORTS (@DSports) October 18, 2024
In the 19th minute, England’s Isabella Fisher came close to opening the scoring after a deep cross found her unmarked in the box, but her effort sailed just over the bar.
Two minutes later, Fisher had another opportunity to put England ahead, this time with a header from close range. junior starlet’s goalkeeper Velma Abwire was alert to the danger, making a comfortable save to keep the scoreline level.
The pressure from England continued to mount, and in the 28th minute, the breakthrough finally came. A handball by Kenya’s Diana Anyango inside the box led to a penalty for England.
Lola Brown stepped up to take the spot-kick and confidently sent Abwire the wrong way to give England a 1-0 lead.
Despite going behind, junior starlets didn’t back down. Mildred Cheche’s side showed determination, refusing to allow England to run away with the game. However, their attacking efforts were often undone by poor decision-making in the final third.
One of the most dangerous moments for junior starlets came just before halftime. Valarie Nekesa, who had been a constant threat down the left flank, made a dazzling run, turning her defender inside out before firing a shot that just missed the target, hitting the side netting.
It was a moment that had Kenyan fans on the edge of their seats, but the equalizer remained elusive.
At halftime, the scoreline read 1-0 in favor of England, but Kenya had shown enough attacking promise to suggest that they could still turn the game around in the second half.
England Takes Control in the Second Half
The second half saw junior starlets start brightly again, but England’s experience and composure began to show. They controlled possession and limited Kenya’s opportunities to counter-attack.
The Rising Stars struggled to create clear-cut chances as England’s defense, marshaled by Hope McSheffrey in goal, remained largely untested.
England almost doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Laila Harbert’s speculative long-range shot nearly slipped through Abwire’s hands, but the Kenyan keeper recovered just in time to avoid a costly mistake.
As the game entered its final stages, Kenya pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Nekesa continued to be the main outlet for Kenya’s attacks, and her speed and dribbling caused problems for the English defense.
¡GOL DE INGLATERRA!
⚽ Lauryn Thompson remató desde fuera del área y amplió la diferencia.#UC17WWCEnDSPORTS | #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/uPKgpEgbJd
— DSPORTS (@DSports) October 18, 2024
In the 83rd minute, she was pulled back by an England defender just as she was about to pull the trigger in the box, but after a VAR review, the referee decided against awarding a penalty, much to the frustration of the Kenyan bench.
With Kenya throwing bodies forward in the dying minutes, England took advantage of the space left behind. In the 87th minute, substitute Laura Thompson picked up a loose ball near the halfway line, drove towards the Kenyan goal, and fired a shot off the right-hand post and into the net to seal a 2-0 victory for England.
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Despite the loss, there are plenty of positives for Kenya to take from their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup debut. Their determination and moments of individual brilliance showed that they can compete at this level. However, the team will need to tighten up defensively and be more clinical in the final third if they are to get results in their remaining group matches.
Kenya’s coach, Mildred Cheche, praised her team’s effort but acknowledged that there are areas that need improvement. “We showed some good moments, but at this level, you can’t afford to make mistakes. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger in the next match,” she said after the game.
Eyes on North Korea: Can Kenya Bounce Back?
The junior starlets now shifts focus to their second match, where they will face North Korea, the most successful team in FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup history. North Korea opened their campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Mexico, and Kenya will need to be at their best if they hope to get a result.
While Kenya’s path to the knockout stages has become more challenging, there is still hope. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, and with better decision-making and tactical discipline, they have the potential to cause an upset.
As Kenya gears up for their next game, fans remain optimistic that the Rising Stars can defy the odds and make their mark on the tournament. The journey is far from over.
Kenya Starting XI:
- Velma Abwire, 12. Elizabeth Ochaka (C), 19. Lorine Ilovanga, 11. Diana Anyango, 15. Christine Adhiambo, 17. Halima Imbachi, 20. Rebecca Odato, 14. Lorna Faith (84′ Joan Ogola), 8. Lindey Weey Atieno (56′ Susan Akoth), 10. Marion Serenge, 13. Valarie Nekesa.
