Youngster wins coveted award after leading Kenya to Under 17 World Cup round of 16

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 26, 2026 – Clutched tightly in her hands, the official FIFA Woman of the Match trophy meant everything to Mwanakombo Bakari. But as the young forward stood before the cameras following her match-winning brace against Samoa, her message was as much about her teammates as it was about her own brilliant performance. For Bakari, receiving the individual honor was a proud, emotional milestone, and one she felt was earned through relentless effort on the pitch. “I feel so proud to get Woman of the Match because I truly feel like I deserved it. But all I can say is that we...

But as the young forward stood before the cameras following her match-winning brace against Samoa, her message was as much about her teammates as it was about her own brilliant performance.

For Bakari, receiving the individual honor was a proud, emotional milestone, and one she felt was earned through relentless effort on the pitch.

“I feel so proud to get Woman of the Match because I truly feel like I deserved it. But all I can say is that we fought as a team, we maintained team spirit, we worked hard, and these are the fruits of our labor,” Bakari said.

Reflecting on the grit required to overcome opening setbacks in the group stage and secure a 4–0 victory over Samoa, Bakari emphasized that Kenya’s progression was forged through sheer determination and self-belief.

Source: Capital FM Sports