Junior Starlets thump Samoa 4-0, make history with World Cup last-16 breakthrough

Kenya’s Junior Starlets make history by reaching the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa

The emphatic win at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé secured Kenya a place in the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed teams, marking a significant milestone for the country’s football on the global stage.

Mildred Cheche’s charges went into the decisive fixture knowing that only a convincing victory could keep their hopes alive after opening the tournament with defeats to China and the United States.

They responded with their most impressive performance of the competition, with Mwanakombo Bakari scoring twice while Brenda Awuor and Gaudancia Maloba also found the net.

Bakari gave Kenya the perfect start, opening the scoring in the fourth minute after the Junior Starlets put the Samoan defence under early pressure.

The early goal settled the Kenyans, who kept pushing for more to strengthen their qualification hopes.

Source: The Standard Sports